career, tips, fall in love, money, Black Female Therapists
by Janell Hazelwood

March 29, 2024

Not Feeling Your Career? Here’s How To Get The Love Back

Before you put in your two weeks' notice, consider these three steps to help you fall back in love with your career.

Originally Published March 19, 2014

Many students feel frustrated and burned out after the post-graduate honeymoon phase is over and the rose-tinted glasses have gone out of style. You may have walked off the graduation stage ready to take on the world. Now a few years working 9-to-5 has you thinking, “This can’t be life.”

Well, fret no more. Everyone has those days of second-guessing why they chose their career path and re-evaluating whether any of it is even worth it. Before you put in your two weeks’ notice and head into the unknown, consider these three steps to help you fall back in love with your career.

Make a list of pros and cons

Consider factors such as location, salary, job duties, potential for growth, network, and agreement with your passions (or what you do well). Oftentimes, you’ll find that there’s more that you love—or can grow to love, in the grand scheme of things—than you think. If there are more cons than pros, maybe it’s not your career choice but the particular job you hold. If that’s the case, try to think of positive ways to change negatives about that current post. A relocation, not a change of career, may be in order.

Learn more about your industry

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in doing and thinking about the same things over and over again in terms of your career. There can be other aspects of the industry you’re in that you’ve never discovered or imagined. Stay abreast of industry trends and emerging jobs within your career path, and start networking with peers who are innovators or entrepreneurs. This is a great way to be at the pulse of what’s going on and become an innovator yourself.

Step your game up

Nothing like a good challenge to test your love affair with your career. Sign on for a new project that recharges your analytical and problem-solving skills. Partner with an awesome coworker to create new ideas and agendas that add value. Look into related tasks where you could position yourself for advancement.

RELATED CONTENT:4 Ways Content Creators Can Turn their Passion Into A Business

Latto, rap, Pay Rent, Waffle House
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 29, 2024

Rapper Latto Gifts $2000 For Fan To Pay Rent After Posting About Being Rich

After flaunting her wealth on X and a user criticizing her for it, rapper Latto asked how much her rent was and sent the fan money to cover her rent.

Raper Latto flaunted her wealth on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), and a user of the platform responded, “Not rn, Latto. Pls. It’s rent szn.” After acknowledging the user, the recording artist asked for her Cash App handle and sent her something to offset the user’s trouble. Sending her more than the amount she said she had to pay.

Latto, who appeared on Jermaine Dupri’s reality television series, “The Rap Game,” in 2016 when she was known as Miss Mulatto has achieved success since winning the first season of the show. The “Big Energy” artist posted a message to her X account flaunting her riches when she wrote that she could go out to eat and order food daily and get whatever she wanted.

Immediately after posting that message, a user named Justin (@jusdaydreamin) responded by asking if she could send him $75 so he could do the same thing the next day.

She responded by asking, “What’s ur cash app?”

When another X user asked Justin if she sent him the money, he responded yes.

He then sent a screenshot of the money Latto sent, and the amount she sent was $500, more than six times the amount Justin asked for.

She replied, “Lunch on me :)”

But, another user, within minutes of Latto putting the status up, with the handle of @Tato thee Pony, chastised the “Put It On Da Floor” rapper by telling her that it’s not the time to be posting the boast since it’s time to pay rent.

Latto apologized to her and then asked her how much her rent was and what her Cash App user name was. After the young lady sent her the user handle and the amount she paid for rent ($1500), Tato posted the screenshot of Latto sending her $2000 to cover her rent.

remote, work, job, employees employer, work from home, worker, remote
by Jaimee Ratliff

March 29, 2024

How To Stay Top Of Mind When You’re Out Of Sight

Here are tips to stand out on the days when you are an office of one.

Originally Published Feb. 19, 2014.

Millennials crave workplace flexibility now more than ever—especially when this flexible option involves waking up in the morning, walking to the living room, booting up a laptop and working from home once or twice during the week in pajamas.

However, for young professionals who are fresh in their career, working from home can be challenging when you are not directly in front of your boss everyday. Here’s how to stand out on the days you are an office of one.

Over communicate

As a former serial telecommuter for almost two years, I can say that managers love when you go to them before they come to you. This simply means if you and your boss have discussed the details of a project you are working on, you don’t want to wait until they check in on you. Provide quick updates via email throughout the day to let them know the status on timing for project completion or any challenges you are encountering. They will appreciate it.

Contribute ideas during phone meetings

While your face may not be visible, try not to let your voice go unheard, too. If you have a great idea, throw it out there and get comfortable with being an integral member of the team even through the phone. Position yourself as someone your colleagues can always rely on for creative suggestions or possible resolutions to challenges.

Volunteer for projects outside of your normal tasks

You may experience some downtime in between big projects and deadlines while working from home and that’s OK. This is the perfect time to check in with your team and find out if there is an opportunity to work on something new that you’ve never done before. Utilize these opportunities to enhance your skill-set and stretch your brain.

Request occasional face time

Thanks to Skype, Google Hangouts, and FaceTime, telecommuters still have the opportunity to personalize interaction with their boss and other team members through video conferencing technology. Sometimes, it’s best to have a visual connection when you start experiencing the cabin fever that usually strikes during the last few hours of the workday. Quick video meetings are perfect for end of the day wrap-ups and discussing the next day’s agenda.

RELATED CONTENT: How To Avoid Social Media Mishaps In The Workplace

Tyrese, Diddy
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 29, 2024

Tyrese Wants Y’All To Know He’s Praying For Diddy

The singer also states he is also praying for "all of the alleged victims that’s in the middle of trying to simply have their voices to be heard."

Sean “Diddy” Combs received support from singer/actor Tyrese Gibson in an Instagram message that the “Sweet Lady” recording artist recently posted, but which has since been deleted.

According to Complex, Tyrese posted a message that pertains to the entertainment mogul and his recent legal issues. He states that he is praying for Diddy and his family but is also doing so for the alleged victims of his purported actions over the years.

“I don’t condone nor do I support abuse, bullying, sexual assault, or anything that is currently being alleged, but what I can’t do is turn the blinds on how much this means to me and all of us, and what he has done for the community of music and culture. I’m praying for Diddy, his kids, his family, his mother, and all of the alleged victims that are in the middle of trying to simply have their voices to be heard.”

He also professed his love for Diddy and let him know that he could lend an ear if the “No Way Out” artist needed it right now.

“I love this brother. He’s been nothing but kind and generous towards me, and that’s the way I feel praying and praying for a better outcome of all of this. God bless you, Diddy. If you ever need to call me and just need a listening here, I’m right here, bro…..”

Several properties that Diddy owns in Miami, New York, and Los Angeles were raided on Monday, March 25, by Homeland Security after multiple lawsuits alleging sexual assault and harassment by the music producer. The agency put out a statement after news of the raids were reported.

“Earlier today, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners,” Homeland Security said in a written statement.

Reparations, United Nations
by Sharelle Burt

March 29, 2024

United Nations Chief Says It’s Time To Pay Slavery Reparations For ‘Generations of Discrimination’

Time to pay up!

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke out in favor of reparations for descendants of transatlantic slaves — claiming it’s a great way to pay for systemic racism.

On the U.N. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery on March 25, Guterres released a statement saying the past “laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy.”

“We call for reparatory justice frameworks to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination,” Guterres said.

A report from the U.N. released in September 2023 recommended countries should consider financial reparations to make up for slavery, an idea that has floated around for decades but is now coming to light. The Caricom reparations commission was designed to seek all reparations from former colonial countries — like the United Kingdom, France, and Portugal — including debt cancellations and support for public health crises. 

The Caribbean is already a favorite to receive reparations. The Repair Campaign is the production of socio-economic reparation plans for the nations. After releasing a poll, 4 in 10 people in the UK voted in favor of the Caribbean to receive financial compensation. Three in five feel a formal apology is due as well. “This is the movement that will signal, finally, the collective victory of humanity, of good over evil,” chair of the reparations commission of Caricom, Hilary Beckles, said at the U.N. General Assembly.

Over 12 million Africans were removed forcibly from their homeland by European merchants on their ships and sold into slavery on American soil, many profiting from free labor. According to The Hill, several who survived the dangerous trips were placed on plantations in Brazil and Caribbean islands. “This laid the foundations for a violent discrimination system based on white supremacy that still echoes today,” Guterres said. 

“Descendants of enslaved Africans and people of African descent are still fighting for equal rights and freedoms around the world.” 

Reparations in the United States have been a hot topic for the past few years. Some lawmakers have pushed legislation that may provide paydays for Black descendants sooner rather than later. In 2023, it was announced that the town of Evanston, Illinois, would be the first city in the U.S. to pay reparations to Black residents. Close to 140 residents were expected to receive $25,000 each by the end of the year. 

New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman has enlisted his support to a federal bill that would give every Black American a one-time payment of $333,000 as restitution for slavery. Under House Resolution 414, it has been declared that the U.S. government has a “moral and legal obligation” to make amends to the descendants of enslaved people. If approved, the legislation would distribute $14 trillion to approximately 42 million Black Americans.

COVID Vaccine, black churches, outreach, Rev. W. Franklyn, CDC, center for disease control,
by Sharelle Burt

March 29, 2024

New Study Reveals Moderna’s Latest COVID Vaccine Shows Positive Strides 

Think it's time for a booster?

Moderna says its newest COVID vaccine is showing signs of a stronger immune response against the virus than the current shot being offered and a longer shelf-life. 

Approximately 11,400 people ages 12 and older participated in the third phase of the trial throughout the U.S., U.K., and Canada. The new shot revealed higher immune responses against the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 and the original strain of the virus. With a higher rate than the vaccine targeting the same variants, the benefits proved sharp in patients over 65, who have the highest risk of health ailments from COVID-19. 

With its current vaccine, Spikevax, being the only one available commercially, this victorious news comes as Moderna continues to compete with rival Pfizer to share more of the vaccine market. They are also trying to diversify revenue streams after the demand for COVID-19 products plummeted last year. 

The new shot is designed to last longer when refrigerated, making it easier to distribute globally, especially in countries with limited freezing abilities. Another critical component of the new shot is the combination of the vaccine providing protection against COVID and the flu. Both competing pharmaceutical companies said there is a “convenience” in being protected from the viruses at once, which encourages more people to get vaccinated. 

However, the good news doesn’t seem to be impressing investors. According to Quartz, stock in Moderna plummeted by almost 3% during afternoon trading on March 26, adding to the 28% drop over the last 12 months. Surprisingly, the company reported a profit of $217 million in the fourth quarter, but that hasn’t stopped the current Moderna product from dwindling in the last year. During the fall 2023 COVID season, Moderna climbed to 48% market share in the U.S. compared to 37% in 2022.

This isn’t stopping Moderna from pressing forward in the fight against diseases. It is reportedly working on the development of a shot that fights the flu, cancer, and more. Their vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) hopes to have the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by May 2024. 

After first announcing during the annual research and development day in September 2023, Moderna introduced plans of adding 15 products to its roster over the next five years. 

Mikaylah Williams, NIL, LSU, Basketball
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 29, 2024

LSU Freshman Mikaylah Williams Signs NIL Deal With Jordan Brand

'Signing with the Jordan Brand is an incredible opportunity and a blessing because it allows me to inspire young girls and contribute to the growth of women’s basketball'

Lousiana State University or LSU‘s standout freshman basketball player Mikaylah Williams recently signed a NIL (Name, image, and likeness) deal with Jordan Brand.

The announcement was made just before the start of the NCAA Tournament when Jordan Brand posted a picture of her and wished her luck for the tournament.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jordan (@jumpman23)

According to Footwear News, Williams, recently named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year, is the third high school/college women’s basketball player to sign with Jordan Brand.

“Signing with the Jordan Brand is an incredible opportunity and a blessing because it allows me to inspire young girls and contribute to the growth of women’s basketball, marking another milestone achieved in my journey,” the freshman point guard said in a written statement.

She joins her LSU teammates in securing an NIL deal. Flau’jae Johnson signed a contract with Puma, while Angel Reese inked one with Reebok.

On3 reported that Williams joins freshman basketball player Kiki Rice, who plays for UCLA and is the first NIL athlete that Jordan Brand signed back in October 2022, and Kiyomi McMiller, who plays for Life Center Academy in New Jersey (she is the first high school athlete to sign with the Nike brand). WNBA players Crystal Dangerfield (who plays for the Dallas Wings), Dearica Hamby (Los Angeles Sparks), and Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) are also Jordan Brand athletes.

Williams entered the NCAA Tournament, scoring an average of 14.4 points, hauling in 4.8 rebounds, and handing out three assists per game. During the regular season, she scored more than 20 points in seven games and recorded one double-double.

Nike sponsors LSU, and Air Jordan has partnered with seven other colleges: Florida, Houston, Howard, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and UCLA.

AI, workplace, jobs, overcome, god, faith, imposter syndrome, action
by Jeff Shuford

March 29, 2024

Here’s How To Define Your Target Market

The target market segmentation of your business is a crucial component to define within a business plan. Here's a few tips on defining your market.

Originally Published Apr. 28, 2019

The target market segmentation of your business is a crucial component to define within a business plan. When you envision the overall customer base for your business, it may incorporate people from a wide range of groups and walks of life. However, in target marketing, the goal is to break down that massive customer base and to define precisely who the most likely customer is for your brand so that you can target your marketing methods to reach that ideal customer more effectively.

In your business plan, lenders and potential investors who read it want to see your brand’s target market clearly defined to understand who you are marketing to and to understand the cost associated with your customer acquisition strategy. To better illustrate your target market segment, consider the following tips.

How to Define Your Target Market

Determine the Geographical Component

One representation of your target market is based on the geographical location of your customers. For example, if you are a small retailer, it may be likely that your market is within a small physical area around your business. This could be based on local addresses and expanded through innovation utilizing technology such as geofencing. A geofence is a virtual perimeter of a real-world geographic area that will allow your customers to receive promotions and notifications about your business as they approach a pre-determined physical location surrounding your business’s physical location.

Understand the Demographics

Another way to define your target market is to determine the demographics of your customer base. Some of the most common demographics include gender and age. Income may also be a critical factor in determining who your most likely customers are as well. This can also be as narrow as a specific age group most likely to interact with or visit your business. For example, if you’re launching an arcade business, statistically, your targeted market is expected to be comprised of teenagers and young adults, principally males.

Consider the Psycho-graphic Component

Determining your target market is essential in most industries. The psycho-graphic segment may include a specific type of consumer most likely to patronize your business. In the context of a childcare business, this would be parents.

It could also be someone more likely to live in an urban setting if you are marketing an urban apparel line. If you sell pet supplies, your target market is, of course, pet lovers. Sell motorcycle parts? Your target market is motorcycle riders.

Understanding the lifestyle of your customers is a guaranteed strategy to ensure the success of your enterprise.

Think about Ideal

In some cases, your customer foundation may not be solely based on who is most likely to walk in the door but instead on who you wish to appeal to in your marketing campaigns. For example, if you are a home furnishing brand, you may want to appeal to those looking for high-end home remodeling, not merely consumers making simple home repairs.

Compare Examples

To perfect your business plan further, look at examples of how well other companies do locally and globally in your industry. For instance, feminine product sellers tend to market during the daytime hours on television when customers are most likely watching television talk shows. Alcohol brands tend to advertise their beverages during sporting events and late at night. More so, that same alcohol company may market itself as a high-end luxury beverage to women and men during more sophisticated programming and offer different ads with more of a low-key approach during reality television programming.

Understanding your potential customers and where they spend most of their time is essential to advertising and marketing your brand. Understanding your target market segment is vital to your business plan and is a critical component of your business plan. Simply put, when defined correctly, potential investors and future business partners have a strategic blueprint for who your brand will market to and when.

RELATED CONTENT: Beauty Brand Turns A $5 Bar Soap Into A Multiple 6-Figure Business

Will Smith, Net Worth
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 28, 2024

Will Smith Ready To ‘Downsize’ His Reported $350M Net Worth By Giving Back

Will Smith might be worth a reported $350 million, but he's ready to "downsize" his millions in a philanthropic way.

Will Smith might be worth a reported $350 million, but he’s ready to “downsize” his millions in a philanthropic way.

The Academy Award-winning actor sat down with Complex’s Speedy Mormon to get candid about his 30-year career spanning across music, television, and film. While Smith, and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith, are known for keeping it real about areas of life most would rather keep private, one area the “King Richard” isn’t speaking openly about his how much money he has.

Credited with earning around $40 million a year from his films alone, and more if you count the 10 to 20 percent he receives in net or gross profits, Smith has reportedly amassed well over $300 million just from his four films “Men In Black 3,” “Bad Boys 2,” “Hancock,” and “Pursuit of Happyness.” But if you ask him what his bank account looks like, he’d rather stay mum.

“I don’t even know, man. I don’t discuss such things,” he said on “360 With Speedy.”

At 55 years young, Smith is aware of his multi-million dollar net worth and can’t even remember the time in his life when he wasn’t famous. After 30 years of fame and fortune, the “Ali” star is now ready to pay it forward by giving back.

“This is the downsize phase of my life. The first half of my life was gather, gather, gather, the second half of my life is gonna be give, give, give,” he said.

Considering the financial woes Smith publicly faced early on in his career by avoiding paying $2.8 million in taxes, he’s learned hard lessons on money management at age 21. Now well into his 50s, the father of three knows firsthand that money can’t buy true happiness.

“People … always have that moment somewhere around 50 where something changes. But what happens is you just realize none of it can make you happy,” he shared. “Once you’ve bought everything you want and there’s literally nothing on earth else that you want to buy, I just wish that was a gift that everybody could have because there’s nothing that material can do to satisfy you.”

Even after reaching the highest levels of Hollywood, getting married, welcoming children, and making people all over the world smile, Smith says the real joy can only come from the inside.

“I’m in that phase of my life that can actually be scary—when you realize that no relationship, that no money, that no kids—there’s literally nothing that can make you happy,” he added.

“That happy is internal, full frontal contact with your dark knight of the soul and you reconcile that you gotta make happy in here,” he said, pointing to his head and then to his heart. “You gotta make happy in here with none of that stuff. You gotta take happy to the people you love—you can’t try to get it from them. … It’s not for the faint of heart.”

Another interesting moment comes around the 26:12 mark when Smith shows Speedy how to find “the meaning of life” by sitting in silence for 30 seconds. Smith and Speedy got deep and enjoyed a guest appearance from Martin Lawrence to talk the “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” film. Press play above for the full interview.

Draymond Green, Ejected, Basketball, NBA
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 28, 2024

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than Four Minutes Into Game

The Golden State Warriors player received two technical fouls for arguing with a referee.

Golden State Warriors forward, Draymond Green has gotten ejected from a basketball game once again and did so within five minutes after the beginning of the contest.

According to CBS Sports, the oft-controversial player was thrown out of the game after arguing with a referee on the hardwood during a game on March 27. With more than eight minutes remaining in the first quarter, Green’s teammate, Andrew Wiggins was called for a foul against the Orlando Magic’s Paolo Banchero. After the whistle blew, Green was seen saying something to the referee, Ray Acosta, and was immediately called for a technical foul. As Green continued to jaw at the official, and the other referees came to bring Acosta towards center court, Green could be seen yelling at the referee. As Green makes it to the Warriors’ bench, the referee blows his whistle again, giving the forward another technical, eliminating him from the game (Two technical fouls equate to an automatic ejection from the basketball game). There was 8:24 left on the game clock when this occurred.

Warriors Coach Steve Kerr commented on Green’s ejection after the game.

“Too bad. It was unfortunate. He deserved it,” Kerr said. “He’ll bounce back. I’m just proud of the guys for stepping up.”

Crew chief Mitchell Ervin explained why Green was given a second technical during the first quarter. He said he received a second technical foul for directing “egregious profane language towards a game official.”

The Warriors were able to win the game 101-93 keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

Last month, when the Warriors faced the Philadelphia 76ers, Green was immediately called for a foul just a second into the start of the game. The whistle caused confusion as the foul was called during a jump ball with 76ers’ Joel Embiid at center court. The players looked around, some throwing their arms up in disbelief over the early interruption. The players who were close to referee Tony Brothers immediately looked at him to find out what happened.

On The Draymond Green Show, Green explained the reasoning for the immediate call, according to YardBarker.

“Number one, no one ever gets called for those fouls,” he said. “…If it was actually a better toss the grab wouldn’t have looked so egregious, but the toss was so bad, I was holding on for awhile for dear life. There’s guys that do that every game, I’m not really one that jump balls every game. It’s kind of this new thing. I won one against [Anthony Davis] like that so I was like, ‘Why not. Let’s try it again; that’s the only chance that I had. And I went for it. Tony Brothers being who Tony Brothers is called a foul because he spotted it.”

RELATED CONTENT: An Immediate Foul Call On Draymond Green Against Joel Embiid Causes Confusion

×