Russell Westbrook Selected As Creative Director For Oklahoma City’s Sports-Anchored Entertainment District
Populous is the architect of the project.
Design and architecture firm Populous is handling the sports-anchored entertainment district being in downtown Oklahoma City, and Russell Westbrook has been appointed the project’s creative director.
The decision was announced by Echo Investment Capital (Echo), Russell Westbrook Enterprises (RWE), and Robinson Park.
The project is being spearheaded by Echo with RWE and Robinson Park as key development partners, in conjunction with helping create a destination anchored by the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.
Westbrook has ties to Oklahoma City. He was a star for the NBA’s Thunder for a decade until he was traded to the Houston Rockets in 2019. Westbrook spent the 2024-25 season with the Denver Nuggets.
“We’re not just building a sports-anchored entertainment district—we’re reimagining how a city comes together,” said Westbrook in a written statement. “I’m personally bringing everything I’ve seen and experienced around the world—design, culture, energy—to help create something that’s never been done before in OKC. I’m proud to be part of a vision that’s not just about buildings, but about belonging—a place where people from every neighborhood feel seen, connected, and inspired.”
Populous has designed various sports and entertainment venues around the world, including the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong. The company had already been appointed the principal architect of the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium.
“Populous brings world-renowned expertise and a deep understanding of how to design spaces that anchor community and catalyze growth,” said Christian Kanady, founding partner and CEO of Echo Investment Capital. “Their leadership in shaping both the stadium and the surrounding sports-anchored entertainment district ensures a cohesive, transformative vision—one that reflects OKC’s momentum and connects our most vibrant districts in powerful new ways. This is more than a development—it’s a centerpiece for civic life, built to inspire pride, connection, and opportunity for generations to come.”
With Nearly $19B In Projected Losses, Blacks See “Big Beautiful Bill” As Not Very Alluring
An estimated 55% of 18.5 million Black households could be hit hard by proposed cuts from big beautiful bill..
Scores of Black Americans most likely won’t find much pretty about President Donald Trump’s new budget bill, as they could be walloped financially if it becomes law.
Formally called the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill,” the 2025 legislation calls for an extensive multi-trillion-dollar bundle of tax cuts and spending rollbacks that could be hideous for Black people.
Consider that an estimated 55% of 18.5 million Black households — mainly those in the lowest income brackets—are set to face devastating losses because of proposed cuts in food and rental assistance, tax credits, and basic services.
With that, the bill the U.S. House of Representatives passed May 22 is far from ravishing. It could bring total projected losses of $18.9 billion for Black people, according to a fresh analysis by Creative Investment Research. Some of that probe was calculated with findings from the impartial Wharton’s Budget Model.
The GOP-led Senate is expected to vote soon on the 2025 bill, which is likely to return with revisions.
William Michael Cunningham, an economist and owner of Creative Investment Research, told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the losses are deliberate. He stressed that they consist of redistributing income upward to the richest Americans. He reported that it includes a $390,000 annual unexpected gain for the top 1%, decisively broadening the racial wealth gap.
“The $19 billion reflects cuts to critical programs that Black people depend on.”
Among the largest blows for Black Americans as the 1,000-plus page bill stands now could stem from several areas. For instance, income cuts are targeted at them, tied to less funding for Medicaid, cutbacks in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a reduction in housing assistance, and few public sector jobs for those individuals.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects the bill will boost the nation’s debt by $2.3 trillion over 10 years. As such, the nonpartisan agency declares it will spark around $500 billion in Medicare cuts beginning next year. And Blacks with lower incomes could be among those hit the hardest. In general, Blacks account for roughly 20% of Medicare participants.
Observers report that the CBO’s debt estimate primarily relates to extensions of Trump’s 2017 tax cuts and current expenses that exceed the savings.
Based on the Wharton Budget Model as of May 20, Cunningham says there could be a regressive distribution impact, as 20% of Black individuals earning $17,000 or less will see a nearly 14% drop in after-tax and transfer income, equating to an average loss of $940 per person. He says Blacks making $17K to $51K could realize a 1.3% decline, averaging a loss of $580 each.
Furthermore, Cunningham notes that U.S. Census data and Pew Research indicate that over 55% of Black households fall into the first or second quintile.
“Given the elevated percentage of Black households in the lower-income categories, this budget bill, if passed, will have an immediate and negative economic impact.”
More specifically, the bill reportedly aims to trim federal spending on SNAP by $267 billion over a decade by applying several measures. Though SNAP supposedly assists over 40 million people, including helping them buy groceries, the proposed changes could hurt people, including Black folks, by reducing eligibility, moving program costs to states, and deterring future benefit hikes.
Simultaneously, White House officials have stated that passing the bill would be fiscally responsible, with some even claiming it will reduce the deficit and save $1.6 trillion. Check out a list here from the White House that cites factors why the bill must become law.
Another potential fallout: The bill could thump Black women hard as it would withdraw funding for Planned Parenthood for America. That is potentially a big deal as reputedly some 50% of Black women depend on that support for their reproductive health.
Cunningham concluded, “This reduction in reproductive health support, combined with a surge in unemployment among Black women in April, points to a future crisis for the Black community.”
The sportswear giant revealed the Chicago Sky star’s new logo on May 28, with Reese quickly tweeting to show her approval. The LSU champion’s new logo features a sleek chrome “AR,” representing her initials.
“Just the beginning. Reebok x @Reese10Angel: like you’ve never seen before,” Reebok wrote.
“Sorry, just had to “double” back… LOGO SO FIRE!” Reese wrote in a follow-up tweet. “It’s like my momma named me so perfect (after her, of course) because she knew this moment would come!! LOVE LOVE LOVE💙”
The logo debuts as part of the multi-year contract extension Reese signed with Reebok last fall. It marks her first official emblem and sets the stage for her signature shoe, set to launch in 2026.
Fans of the WNBA star shared their support to drown out the trolls who have made it a routine to torment the ball player online.
“My little girls love the game because of you. We’re all so proud of you. Keep pushing 👊🏽,” one fan wrote.
“WE WILL BE BUYING,” added another.
Reebok first signed Reese in 2023 during her standout LSU days, becoming the face of the company’s women’s basketball efforts. Since then, the brand has deepened its partnership with her, launching several apparel drops and player-exclusive shoes, including her standout pink “Shaqnosis” collab.
When she signed her extension last October, Reese became just the sixth WNBA player with a signature shoe deal, joining the ranks of Sabrina Ionescu, Caitlin Clark, A’ja Wilson (Nike), Breanna Stewart (Puma), and Sydney Colson (Creative Control).
“Reebok and Angel are growing together every day, and our visions for the future are aligned,” Jide Osifeso, Reebok’s head of basketball, said at the time. “We’re excited to continue the relationship with a ground-up build of her signature silhouette.”
Lloyd and Ayodeji were raised on Long Island and have spent years developing grassroots solutions to generational challenges in Black and Brown communities. Lloyd is a social entrepreneur and political strategist who founded Minority Millennials and currently manages a multimillion-dollar startup innovation portfolio as the program director of Accelerate Long Island. He also serves as a senior advisor for the Town of Babylon’s Economic Inclusion Initiative and was appointed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council.
Ayodeji, a former All-Long Island basketball standout, is the founder of MACK Academy, where he uses sports as a platform to mentor young men and prevent violence. Together with Lloyd, he co-founded Minority Millennials to bridge the gap between access and opportunity, helping young people secure meaningful careers, build wealth, and become civically engaged.
That lifelong commitment to empowerment inspired the concept behind The Policy & Culture Podcast, a platform they describe as more than just conversation—it’s a movement.
Translating Power into Everyday Language
“The idea for Policy & Culture came from lived experience,” Lloyd says. “We saw how policies—whether local zoning laws or federal funding decisions—shaped the conditions in our communities. But we also saw that those communities were rarely part of the conversation.”
They believed the problem wasn’t a lack of intelligence or concern, but rather a lack of access, translation, and trust. So they asked: What if civic knowledge felt more like culture—something you live, share, and even wear?
Unlike traditional think tanks or educational platforms, Policy & Culture isn’t driven by career politicians. “We’re not insiders. We’re organizers and advocates who learned how the system works without changing who we are,” Ayodeji says.
And that authenticity makes a difference. “Politics isn’t separate from your daily life,” he continues. “It’s the reason behind your rent, commute, and healthcare options. You’re already affected by it—so why not learn how to influence it?”
The Pillars of Power: Energy, Economy, and Employment
The podcast’s three guiding pillars are clean energy, economic freedom, and workforce development. Lloyd and Ayodeji deliberately selected these areas because they represent long-term impact and are frequently overlooked in popular political discourse.
“These pillars shape the next 100 years of our communities—whether we’re involved or not,” Lloyd explains. “Clean energy isn’t just about the environment; it’s about creating future-ready jobs and living in balance. Economic freedom means not just surviving, but building abundance. Workforce development is about giving people the tools to thrive in a changing economy.”
Each episode connects these complex topics to real-life decisions—how a clean energy bill might create local jobs, how city budgets reflect community priorities, or how a tax incentive could change someone’s paycheck.
By linking policy to daily life, Policy & Culture helps listeners recognize that they are not merely affected by systems but are also capable of influencing them.
From Awareness to Action: Empowering a New Generation
A central theme of the podcast is shifting the perspective from “politics is done to me” to “politics is done by me.”
“Power is always at play,” Lloyd says. “The question is—are you at the table or just dealing with the outcome? No one likes being taken advantage of. The only way to avoid that is to participate.” He encourages listeners to start small: attend a meeting, ask questions, and share what they’ve learned. “Even curiosity is a form of resistance,” he adds.
And success isn’t defined by download numbers. “We measure success when someone says, ‘That episode helped me understand my city council,’ or ‘I finally get how public budgets affect my neighborhood,’” says Ayodeji. The ultimate goal? To significantly boost civic engagement in communities that have historically been excluded from power, especially working-class Black and Brown families.
“When people understand the game,” Lloyd says, “they start playing to win.”
“And that’s when real change begins,” adds Ayodeji.
The Policy & Culture Podcast serves as a blueprint for transforming passive observers into powerful participants. With bold conversations and grounded insights, Lloyd and Ayodeji are helping a new generation redefine civic power and who it belongs to.
Kathryn Finney Shares Career Playbook After Funding 2,500+ Black Women
The credibility of her research report helped her support over 2,000 Black women entrepreneurs with over $100 million in funding.
Genius Guild founder Kathryn Finney built a successful career by starting with herself and supporting individuals overlooked by the traditional system.
The trained epidemiologist ventured into fashion in 2003 when she launched The Budget Fashionista blog, according to The Mobile Rundown. With the goal of building something visible, she expanded her project into one of the most successful fashion blogs centered on affordability and accessibility.
Kathryn Finney sold the platform in 2014, which funded her next project. By then, Finney was already two years into the launch of her organization Digitalundivided. The organization, which supported Black and Latinx women entrepreneurs in tech, addressed a problem Finney felt was being ignored.
Her approach was to “use data to break the silence”—in other words, come with receipts. Having already reached television audiences nationwide through her fashion blog, she launched her research report #ProjectDiane to show proof of the funding gap faced by Black women-owned startups.
The credibility of her data helped her support over 2,000 women entrepreneurs with over $100 million in funding.
When the world shifted in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Finney did not halt her hustle or her drive to continue helping other entrepreneurs thrive. She invested $10,000 of her own money to launch The Doonie Fund, an initiative named after her granddaughter, which helped Black women business owners with micro-investments. Her goal during the time of crisis was to move swiftly and focus on trust and small, effective capital.
“You don’t need millions to make a difference. Start with what you’ve got—and move quickly,” Finney advised.
Keeping the momentum going, the venture fund leader launched her $20 million venture fund and business studio, Genius Guild. With the goal to support Black entrepreneurs seeking to scale businesses that serve their communities, Finney positioned her business to garner support from Melinda Gates and the Surdna Foundation.
Finney advises everyday entrepreneurs to construct success with discipline, data, and focus. Finney has become a national voice due to her ability to scale with intention and to wait for no one to give her permission.
Beyond the Game: The 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit Guided Chicago Attendees
The gathering took place May 21-24 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place.
The 2025 Black Student-Athlete Summit, held in Chicago from May 21 to 24 at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, welcomed more than 1,300 attendees.
According to HBCU Gameday, student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and higher education leaders nationwide gathered to help Black college students will be prepared for life’s next chapters.
Among the topics covered were academic achievement, mental wellness, financial literacy, and career development.
According to the group’s Facebook page, “The summit is a three-day gathering to openly examine and candidly discuss the numerous and complex issues surrounding the black student-athlete.”
The vast majority of student-athletes will not play professionally; only 2% go pro. For the remaining 98%, the focus is on achieving success as executives, entrepreneurs, community leaders, or another field. With guests such as Baron Davis, Chiney Ogwumike, Jemele Hill, Matt Barnes, Renee Montgomery, Rich Paul, attendees learned how to achieve success after college.
ESPN analyst and Super Bowl champion Ryan Clark, along with Dr. Zaldwaynaka Scott, the president of Chicago State University, served as keynote speakers.
Attendees were allowed to network with others during panels, breakout sessions, and mentorship activations, which provided them with valuable lessons.
The Black Student-Athlete Summit’s purpose is to help elevate and educate student-athletes, guiding them off the playing field and into their prospective careers.
The driving force behind the summit is Leonard N. Moore, Ph.D., a Jackson State University graduate and one of the nation’s leading advocates for Black student-athletes. According to HBCU Gameday, founded the summit to address longstanding gaps in how institutions support Black athletes—especially those attending or representing HBCUs.
Moore is currently a professor at the University of Texas at Austin and serves as executive director of the UT-HBCU Initiative, a program that builds academic and leadership bridges between UT and HBCU communities.
Cash Is King: How Much Should You Keep In Your Wallet?
Determining the right amount of cash to keep on a daily basis is a conundrum for many.
As cash becomes more obsolete in today’s society, many have stopped keeping physical currency in their wallets. Still, in many instances, cash remains king. Emergency car repairs and service tips are made easy with cash.
However, determining the right amount of cash to keep on a daily basis is a conundrum for many. Many factors come into play, but sdhering to a budget is made easy when smaller personal expenses are covered with what’s in your wallet.
Recommended Cash Amounts
A recent round-up of financial experts gave their estimates for how much paper currency to carry. The amounts vary based on need.
Christopher Rand, a certified financial planner, keeps it simple: “Generally, $50 to $100,” he told CNBC.
Similarly, Melissa Caro, a CFP in New York, $60 to $80, depending on her plans. “If I know I’ll need it—say for tipping, parking, or certain small businesses—I’ll add a bit more to my wallet,” she said.
While Caro and Rand find value in keeping cash on hand, Tipiwa Walker told CNBC that physical currency is often a hindrance.
“Having large amounts of cash in your wallet makes you more susceptible to losing the funds,” Walker said. “Cash simply does not have the protections that credit cards do.”
Having cash just in case a digital payment is compromised—i.e., a digital wallet is glitching or a credit card is declined—is important. However, there are important considerations to make before deciding how much to remove from the ATM.
Factors to Consider
Payment Preferences: Do you prefer to leave a digital trail when paying for gas, tips, car repairs, etc.?
Emergency Preparedness: If your area is prone to difficult weather, you may want to carry more than less. Having physical money when a power grid is down is a lifesaver.
Travel Habits: Many travelers are victims of pickpocketing and theft. If you are in an unknown place, keeping cash may save you in case you are a victim of credit card scams.
How much can you afford to lose? Carrying excessive amounts of money is risky. There is no way to recoup lost funds. Cash does not have a payment dispute center. Only carry what you can comfortably use.
Ultimately, the amount of cash you carry should align with your daily needs, comfort level, and potential emergency scenarios. Regularly assessing and adjusting this amount ensures you’re prepared without carrying unnecessary risk.
Newly uncovered court documents detail a lawsuit tied to a September 2022 incident at a Publix in Roswell, Georgia, AllHipHop reports. Akon’s wife, Amirah Iman-Thiam, alleges that a confrontation with store clerk Jonathan Ross left her emotionally distressed, forcing her to cancel a 12-city European tour, resulting in $287,000 in lost fees and derailing planned collaborations with Grammy-winning producers.
“My creativity’s gone,” Iman-Thiam told her therapist.
She has been resorting to Instacart deliveries and $150 an hour security when running essential errands after Ross touched her buttocks and vaginal area while she was scanning groceries at the self-checkout station, the lawsuit states.
“That dress got me rethinking my lunch break,” Ross allegedly told Iman-Thiam before touching her inappropriately.
The store manager later acknowledged that Ross had displayed erratic behavior for months but was still allowed to interact with customers unsupervised. Bodycam footage captured Iman-Thiam visibly shaken, her voice trembling as she spoke with responding officers.
“He just… violated me,” she told officers.
The court filing details how the incident “severely impacted” Iman-Thiam’s personal and professional life, citing the trauma that led her to cancel a global tour projected to earn $4 million. It also notes that, due to her religious beliefs, she underwent a spiritual cleansing following the encounter.
“Ms. lman-Thiam is the wife of famed singer and producer Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam (‘Akon’). She is a rising recording artist and rapper with Konvict Muzik,” the lawsuit states.
“As a result of Publix’s negligence, Ms. lman-Thiam also suffered from serious emotional and physical trauma. Ms. Iman-Thiam and her husband are devout Muslims. Culturally, Muslim women are forbidden to receive physical, sexual contact from anyone who is not their spouse. This is a strict prohibition in the Islamic faith.”
The filing continued. “In light of the sexual battery, Ms. Iman-Thiam was required to seek cleansing and therapy from an Imam (a priest) in Senegal (which is her husband’s home country). For approximately one (1) year, she was required to pray six (6) times a day and engage in cleansing and purification rituals until she was fully cleansed as prescribed in the Islamic faith. Consequently, Ms. Iman-Thiam’s tour had to be canceled.”
Publix has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Ross acted outside the scope of his employment. However, Iman-Thiam’s legal team pushed back, pointing to the lack of sexual harassment protocols for frontline employees, despite there being 19 similar incidents reported across the state since 2020.
Akon’s wife is seeking punitive damages for emotional distress and reputational harm, with her attorneys arguing that the company prioritized profit over proper background checks.
Megan Thee Stallion Launches ‘Hot Girl Summer’ Swimwear For All Hotties
“Everyone knows I love being near a pool or a beach, so I finally decided to turn my passion into a business and create my own swimwear brand,” Megan said in a press release.
The Grammy-winning rapper’s new line, Hot Girl Summer, is hitting Walmart’s all across the nation exclusively. The singer’s collection boasts inclusive styles: bikinis, full coverage and coverups. The prices are priced from $16 and $28, Rolling Stone reported.
“Everyone knows I love being near a pool or a beach, so I finally decided to turn my passion into a business and create my own swimwear brand,” Megan said in a press release. “It was only right that we kick off Hot Girl Summer with this launch and provide Hotties of all body types with the official Hot Girl uniform. I used to shop at Walmart growing up, so it’s a full circle to have my own line available at Walmart, and I’m so grateful for their support.”
The Hot Girl Summer collection emphasizes body positivity and aims to serve a diverse range of body types. Each piece is designed with comfort and versatility in mind.
“At Walmart, we want our customers to feel confident by offering fashion that celebrates their individuality and unique style,” Ryan Waymire, Walmart’s senior vice president, said. “Summer is around the corner, and swimming is a key category during the season. Megan embodies confidence and authenticity, and we’re excited to collaborate with her on an exclusive swim collection.”
The Hot Girl Summer swimwear line is available now online at Walmart’s website. As the first female rapper to grace the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover, this latest step from Megan is a no-brainer.
As The U.S. Treasury Ends Penny Production, Here’s What You Can Do With Your Spare Change
It's the end of an era.
The penny will soon be a thing of the past. The U.S. Treasury will soon stop minting the coin in early 2026. The decision comes amid rising production costs and declining consumer use. According toCoinNews.net, it costs nearly four cents to produce a penny.
The phaseout of the penny leaves many Americans wondering what to do with the copper coins in their piggy banks.
The penny will continue to be accepted at any retailer that takes cash. However, experts encourage Americans to examine their coins more closely before spending them, as some of them are worth more than one cent.
Resources like ”The 2026 Red Book: A Guide Book of United States Coins” can help consumers determine the value of their coins. At USCoinsValue.com, coin collectors can look up a penny by its year, mint mark, and condition. However, experts caution that it’s unlikely that you will become wealthy from your penny collection.
“Outside of a few variations that are in low supply…most will be worth just a tad more than their original value, Alex Beene, a financial literacy instructor for the University of Tennessee at Martin, told Newsweek.
Consumers can exchange their pennies for cash at banks or kiosks such as Coinstar, which are usually located in grocery stores, according to the Federal Reserve. Coinstar, the machine, converts $3 billion in coins into spendable cash daily. The average jar of change yields $58.
Aside from their monetary value, pennies, according to Gardenstead, act as a natural fungicide. Planting pennies close to the stem of your tomato plant can help reduce blight, a fungus common in garden vegetables. To prolong the life of fresh flowers, drop a penny into your vase, as it helps keep plant-rotting bacteria at bay.
