retirement, social security, Hockenmaier, 401(K), retirement, social security, tax break, georgia, Georgia

by Jameelah Mullen

February 15, 2024

Georgia Senate Proposes $100K Tax Exemption For Atlanta Seniors

Bill 439 has been sent to the Georgia House of Representatives for approval.

The Georgia State Senate recently passed a bill that could result in a major tax break for some Atlanta seniors.

On Feb. 13, it passed Bill 439, which provides a homestead tax exemption to homeowners 65 or older living within the city limits. Qualified homeowners must have a single or combined income that does not exceed $100,000 annually. If eligible, homeowners would be exempt from paying the ad valorem taxes that fund Atlanta City Schools. The bill is sponsored by Democratic Sen. Jason Esteves, who says it will help provide some relief to seniors grappling with Atlanta’s rising property tax costs.

“As we work towards fairness and prosperity for all, I’m honored to champion this initiative that directly benefits our constituents in the City of Atlanta. I extend my gratitude to my Senate colleagues for their support, and I eagerly anticipate its approval in the House,” Esteves said in a press release.

To be granted a homestead exemption, residents must live in the home and have established legal residence at the address. If a person lives outside the house for medical reasons, they will still receive the exemption if they notify the tax commissioner of their status.

The Georgia bill also states that the maximum amount of homestead exemptions shall not exceed $10 million annually.

“If the total exceeds $10 million in the aggregate for that taxable year, the governing authority or its designee shall calculate the amount by which the total exceeds $10 million and shall reduce the amount of homestead exemptions claimed by such senior citizens in an amount equal to such difference.”

If the bill passes both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly, it will be signed into law by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

follow up, email, contact, birthdays, small stuff, LinkedIn, message, conversation point

by Jeffrey McKinney

February 15, 2024

4 Black Businesses Gain $350K At Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala, Exceeding $500K In Grants

Four emerging Black small businesses gained $350,000 to spur growth through the Fifteen Percent Pledge.

Four emerging Black small businesses have gained $350,000 to spur growth through the Fifteen Percent Pledge.

The enterprises gained grant funding as the Pledge hosted its third annual benefit at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles earlier this month. The gala included a surprise visit and comments from first lady Jill Biden.

Another highlight was beauty creator Tracee Ellis Ross receiving the Pledge’s “Trailblazer Award,” which honors a trailblazer who uses its platform to amplify critical work to transform systems of injustice, helping support equality and prosperity for all.

Launched in 2020, the Pledge is a nonprofit organization encouraging retailers to commit at least 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.

The awards are aimed to help unlock the next horizon of growth for Black-owned-and-led businesses as they continue to face systemic hurdles to access needed capital to thrive.

Securing capital remains an ongoing battle for Black entrepreneurs who wrestle with the issue more often than their non-diverse peers.

Here is a glimpse of the award winners at this year’s event:

Abena Boamah-Acheampong of hanahana beauty won the 2nd Achievement Award, a $200,000 grant sponsored by Shop with Google.

Malaika Jones, founder of Brown Girl Jane, captured the inaugural Sephora Beauty Grant, a $100,000 award created with the goal of unlocking the next level of growth for the brand.

Other winners were Orhwe Blackstock and Weber, and Soap Distillery, which received $35,000 and $15,000, respectively.

Boamah-Acheampong expressed her gratitude to Fifteen Percent Pledge founder Aurora James, Chair Emma Grede, and to the organizations for helping her grow. “Everyone who has come up on stage tonight has talked about how hard it is to be a Black founder and the barriers we go against. One thing about Hanahana is we are transparent about it—we think about sustainability, and we think about access, from our producers all the way to the people buying our products.”

“I am here because someone gave me a chance,” James said. “I know firsthand what it feels like to receive a life-changing opportunity. As most of you know, I started Brother Vellies with just $3500 at a flea market 10 years ago. And we are all here tonight, not just to get dressed up in our black-tie Black designer. We are here because someone else gave each of us a shot. And we cannot take our privilege for granted; we have to pay it forward.”

Another focal point was saluting the opening of the Fifteen Shop. Presented by financial services giant Citi, the Fifteen Shop included four temporary pop-up stores.

by Sharelle Burt

February 15, 2024

Cori Bush 22 Points Behind Fellow Democratic Challenger In New Poll

Looks like we have a race y'all....

New polls show Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is down 22 points behind primary challenger Wesley Bell.

Results gathered by Remington Research Group, a firm linked to the GOP, on behalf of the Missouri Scout were released on Feb. 12. Voters were asked, in a hypothetical primary, who they would vote for between three candidates: Wesley Bell, state Sen. Maria Chapelle-Nadal, and Bush. Without labeling who the incumbent was, half of the respondents selected Bell, and 4% selected Nadal.

Bush came in with 28% of the vote. Eighteen percent were unsure.

Broken down by demographics, Bell is most popular amongst African American respondents, with 43% supporting Bell and 35% favoring Bush. White respondents also seem to like Bell more, gathering 60% compared to 20% of Bush supporters. However, there is a split among voters identifying as “very progressive,” with 43% supporting each candidate. Of those who label themselves “somewhat progressive,” 42% support Bell to Bush’s 27%.

Bell also takes the lead at 52% to 23% for conservatives and moderates. The survey also asked voters where they stood on “the war in the Middle East,” asking if they were more sympathetic to the Israelis over Palestinians. Bush has been vocally strong in support of Palestinians and highly critical of Israel since the war began in October 2023.

The St. Louis County prosecutor is no stranger to the political realm. After announcing he was coming for Republican Sen. Josh Hawley’s seat in 2023, Bell changed gears and decided to run against Bush. During a press conference, he said he was the best Democrat for the job.

“Understand this unique place that we are with the world literally on fire,” Bell said.

“I think that we need to make certain that we are providing that effective leadership, not only in our district but in D.C. and on the world stage.”

The Bush campaign released a statement following Bell’s announcement. She says it is “disheartening that Prosecuting Attorney Bell has decided to abandon his U.S. Senate campaign to become Missouri’s first Black Senator after less than five months and has instead decided to target Missouri’s first Black Congresswoman.”

With the district being solely Democratic and almost 50% African American, the primary winner could become a voter favorite to win the general election in November. The district includes all of St. Louis and some of the north and west of St. Louis County.

Rachel Dolezal, Nkechi Diallo, Arizona, OnlyFans

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 15, 2024

Rachel Dolezal Axed From School Job Over OnlyFans Account

The afterschool instructor formerly known as Rachel Dolezal has been fired from her job for operating an OnlyFans account.

Rachel Dolezal, now a teacher working under the name Nkechi Diallo, has been fired from her job at Catalina Foothills School District due to an OnlyFans page linked to her social media page, News 12 Arizona reports.

Julie Farbarik, the district’s director of alumni & community relations, confirmed her removal in an email on Wednesday, February 14.

Diallo’s OnlyFans posts were deemed “contrary to our district’s ‘Use of Social Media by District Employees’ policy and our staff ethics policy,” Farbarik’s email stated.

The district only learned of Diallo’s OnlyFans page on Tuesday following a News 4 Tucson report about the controversy.

Explicit photos of Diallo were also found on other platforms, but it could not be confirmed whether she shared them. She was working at the school district as an afterschool instructor, KVOA reports.

Her termination comes 10 years after she was accused of misidentifying herself as Black while serving as an African Studies professor and the head of the NAACP in Spokane, Washington. After facing nationwide backlash, she eventually resigned from the positions and relocated to Arizona.

In 2016, she legally changed her name to a Nigerian phrase that means “gift of God,” KXLY reports. Diallo later clarified that she still intends to use the name Rachel Dolezal “as her public persona” but changed her name to have a better chance of landing work.

Last year, she appeared at a signing ceremony with Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs for an executive order banning racial discrimination based on a person’s hair. Known as the Crown Act, the law aims to safeguard workers against any form of discrimination arising from hairstyles associated with different racial backgrounds, including but not limited to braids, locs, twists, knots, and headwraps, both in workplace settings and public schools.

Kansas City, chiefs, shooting, suspects, Super Bowl, celebration, victory

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 15, 2024

1 Person Killed, 22 Injured At Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl Celebration

As Kansas City celebrated the Chiefs' Super Bowl victory, a shooting left one person dead and almost two dozen people injured.

A joyous gathering turned into a tragedy after at least one person was killed and nearly two-dozen were injured at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration on Wednesday, February 14.

The Kansas City Police Department posted on its Facebook page that 22 people were injured at the really. Two suspects were detained in connection with the shooting, which took place around 2 pm. Central.

“At the conclusion of the Chiefs rally, shots were fired west of Union Station. We have detained two armed suspects. There are multiple victims. We ask anyone who witnessed the shooting to go to the southwest corner of Pershing and Main.

“We will provide updates as more information becomes available.”

NBC News reported that a Kansas City radio DJ at KKFI 90.1 was killed. The radio station identified the victim as Lisa Lopez-Galvan on its Facebook page.

“It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs’ rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family. We encourage anyone who feels they saw something to reach out to law enforcement at 816 234 5111.

“This senseless act has taken a beautiful person from her family and this KC Community.”

NBC News reported three people, who were not identified, were detained for the shooting.

Eight victims had “immediately life-threatening” injuries, seven were labeled as having life-threatening injuries, and six had minor injuries after the incident, Kansas City Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said.

Police officials also announced that none of the players, coaches, or staff members and their families from the Chiefs were harmed.

by Jameelah Mullen

February 15, 2024

Veteran Haley McClain Hill Nabs $150K From ‘Shark Tank’ For Her Military Clothing Brand

TORCH Warriorwear is a Los Angeles-based military apparel line for women.

Penn State graduate and former U.S. Air Force Lt. Haley McClain Hill appeared on Shark Tank (Season 15, Episode 12) and received $150,000 in funding to help move the brand forward.

During her appearance on Shark Tank, the former lieutenant presented a line of body suits made with “breathable” fabric. The Pentagon-approved body suits come in various colors that accommodate each military branch. TORCH Warriorwear is McClain Hill’s labor of love. The veteran said she wanted to create a line of undergarments that met U.S. military standards and was a comfortable fit for women’s bodies.

“This is my opportunity to give women in the military to wear not uncomfortable uniform t-shirts catered towards men, but the opportunity to have both comfort and fashion without sacrificing functionality.”

McClain Hill said she plans to expand the company by marketing the undergarments to police officers, firefighters, EMTs, and healthcare workers.

Some panelists expressed concerns about competition from larger brands and the small business’s ability to meet high customer demands. However, veteran shark Lori Greiner saw potential in the company. Greiner initially offered $150K in exchange for 25% of the business. The women eventually negotiated a deal for $150K in funding, with Greiner holding a 22.5% stake in the company.

During her pitch, the 28-year-old entrepreneur shared her inspiration to join the military—her grandmother, Sheila Kehoe, a 20-year Air Force veteran.

The episode ended with McClain Hill calling Kehoe to tell her she landed the $150K deal.

“It was an incredible experience representing the women in the military and honoring their service,” McClain Hill said in an interview with the Olean Times Herald.

McClain Hill joined the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) while she was a student at Pennsylvania State University. While stationed in Atlanta, the commissioned officer moonlighted as an Atlanta Falcons cheerleader. She later joined the San Francisco 49ers’ cheerleading team while stationed at Beale Air Force Base in California.

After ending her nine-year military career in 2021, the Penn State graduate founded the TORCH Warriorwear brand.

LeBron James And Maverick Carter To Bring Men’s Grooming Products To Store Shelves

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 15, 2024

LeBron James And Maverick Carter To Bring Men’s Grooming Products To Store Shelves

LeBron James And Maverick Carter's The SpringHill Company is launching The Shop Men's Grooming Line in Walmart

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is expanding his business empire, partnering with beauty manufacturer Parlux to launch a men’s grooming line.

According to Cosmetic Business, the NBA player and his business partner Maverick Carter will debut a product line catering to men inspired by their Emmy Award-winning show, The Shop. James and Carter are producing the grooming product through their multi-media production company The SpringHill Company in conjunction with Parlux.

The Shop Men’s Grooming Line is a seven-product collection of men’s skin, hair and beard care products. The line debuts April 1. and will be sold in Walmart stores nationwide. Retail prices are expected to be under $10.

LeBron James is launching a men’s grooming brand called The Shop.

The seven-product collection was developed with Parlux, a New York-based manufacturer of beauty products.

The Shop will launch exclusively at Walmart in the spring.

More info ➡️ https://t.co/8kevFlU1mu pic.twitter.com/u1Gwysx1pf

— CPG WIRE (@cpgwire) February 13, 2024

Paul Rivera, co-creator of The Shop, gave a written statement to the media outlet about the upcoming line.

“We created The Shop out of a deep love and passion for the barbershop experience,” said Rivera. “Our show was designed to bring people inside the shop for the debates, the arguments, and the therapy you can only get at a true neighborhood spot. Now, we want to give people another side to the experience.”

Consumers can expect the line to include face wash, shave cream, aftershave toner, facial lotion, beard cream, shampoo, conditioner, and a pomade.

“We’re so excited to welcome The Shop and their new line of men’s grooming products to our growing assortment, and believe our customers will love the high-performance products at an exceptional value,” said Creighton Kiper, vice president, of merchandising, beauty, Walmart U.S.

According to Robb Report, The Shop Grooming Line is vegan and cruelty-free. The product is boasted as gentle on the skin, highly effective, and simple to use.

James and Carter started The SpringHill Company in 2020.

Amazon Prime Video, ads, commercial, revenue, subscription

by Daniel Johnson

February 15, 2024

Amazon Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Prime Video Ads

While the streaming era began with promises of commercial free television and movie viewing, that promise has gone by the wayside as streaming companies pursue more and more money.

A federal class action lawsuit has been filed in California over Amazon’s choice to add commercials to its Prime Video platform.

The lawsuit was filed the week of Feb. 10 and claimed that the retail giant’s introduction of ads and the subsequent introduction of a $2.99 fee to circumvent the ads represents a breach of contract. According to the complaint, it also violates California’s consumer protection laws, as existing users signed up for an ad-free service only for the terms of the agreement to be altered when Amazon introduced advertisements.

“For years, people purchased and renewed their Amazon Prime subscriptions believing they would include ad-free streaming,” the complaint alleges. “Subscribers must now pay extra to get something they already paid for.”

Other streaming services like Peacock, Disney+, Max, and Netflix offer ad-based subscription services as tiers of their subscriptions, however Amazon does not have a tier for ads. Instead of building out a separate advertisement tier, Amazon opted to include ads in its service and charge subscribers extra if they wanted the ads removed.

“Consumers who subscribed to Amazon Prime before the change reasonably expected that their Amazon Prime subscription would include ad-free streaming of movies and TV shows for the duration of the subscription,” a part of the lawsuit noted.

The suit also seeks an injunction to stop Amazon from charging existing Prime subscribers the fee, and giving restitution to those who have already paid. While the streaming era began with promises of commercial-free television and movie viewing, that promise has gone by the wayside as streaming companies pursue more capital. As companies invest hundreds of millions (in Amazon’s case, shy of $19 billion) into its original content. The conglomerate has recouped its initial investment from getting money from higher subscription fees and ad dollars.

According to an analysis from Morgan Stanley, the ads from Prime Video will create $3.3 billion in revenue in 2024 alone. By 2026, just two years from now, that total will increase to $7.1 billion. Another firm, MoffettNathanson, predicted a slightly more conservative estimate, but the upshot is the same. Amazon’s investment in advertisements will generate significant income for the company.

MoffettNathanson’s numbers say Amazon will generate $1.1 billion in 2024 and $1.3 billion in 2025; their research ahead of Amazon’s release of commercials indicated that they believed it would explode profits for the company. “This Monday, we are going to find out what happens to an advertising market when a brand-new entrant with excess capacity, unrivaled first-party data advantages and massive unduplicated reach decides to put a ‘for sale’ sign in its window.”

As Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told their analysts on an earnings call, “We have barely scraped the surface when it comes to better figuring out how to integrate advertising into video, commerce and groceries.” Pending the outcome of the class action lawsuit, the only recourse consumers have is just to let the ads play, which will generate significant income for Amazon. According to MoffettNathanson, Amazon is expected to pace all streaming services in the ad-supported VOD market, pulling in approximately $4 billion of the estimated $16 billion market by 2025.

Candace Owens, Ye, kanye west, cancel culture, Vultures 1,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 15, 2024

Candace Owens Says Ye’s ‘Vultures 1’ Marks The End Of Cancel Culture

Candace Owens congratulates Ye and his album, 'Vultures 1' by saying that 'Cancel culture has been officially cancelled.'

Conservative commentator Candace Owens congratulated the artist formerly known as Kanye West after his latest release, Vultures 1, with Ty Dolla $ign. Owens suggested that Ye’s continued momentum after being “unofficially” canceled is a good sign.

“Cancel culture has been officially cancelled,” Owens posted on her Twitter/X account.

After a delayed release, fans are able to hear Ye’s new music. He released the album independently with no label backing. Ye has had to field issues stemming from his use of sampling. But, that did not stop Trump-loving Owens from congratulating the music producer.

Congratulations, Kanye.

Cancel culture has been officially cancelled. #Vultures

— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) February 10, 2024

Just before the album dropped, musician Ozzy Osbourne chastised the Donda recording artist for sampling a section of one of his live performances for one of the songs from the Vultures album that was played at a listening party. The song sampled Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Osbourne, in all caps, relayed a message on X stating that Ye did not have permission to use the sample for the song due to him being “AN ANTISEMITE.”

. @KANYEWEST ASKED PERMISSION TO SAMPLE A SECTION OF A 1983 LIVE PERFORMANCE OF “IRON MAN” FROM THE US FESTIVAL WITHOUT VOCALS & WAS REFUSED PERMISSION BECAUSE HE IS AN ANTISEMITE AND HAS CAUSED UNTOLD HEARTACHE TO MANY. HE WENT AHEAD AND USED THE SAMPLE ANYWAY AT HIS ALBUM…

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) February 9, 2024

Osbourne isn’t the only one to claim Ye is using a sample without permission. Billboard reported that the estate of disco queen Donna Summer did not approve of the unauthorized interpolation of her 1977 hit “I Feel Love” that the recording artist used in “Good (Don’t Die).” The media outlet also reported that Spotify took the song off its streaming service on Wednesday, Feb. 14 due to the claim issued by Summer’s estate.

plastic surgery, D.C., women, KKaydell brown, Melissa Kerr, BBL, Istanbul, Turkkey

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 15, 2024

D.C.’s First Black-Owned Plastic Surgery Center Opens With Women In Charge

Washington, D.C.'s first Black-owned plastic surgery studio, Peel Haus, opens its doors with Black women in charge.

Peel Haus Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery is the newest Black- and woman-owned venture to hit Washington, D.C. Spearheaded by a three-woman team comprised of both entrepreneurs and medical professionals, Peel Haus is determined to do its part in providing safe, diverse care to its clientele.

Beyond one’s typical medispa, Peel Haus is curating a center where premier services set a new standard. Led by licensed medical aesthetician Sonya Lowery-Young, Vice President of Business Development Wendy Pittman, and board-certified Nurse Practitioner Sorelle Cooper, the medical facility strives for advancement that promotes natural results. According to Black Business, services include Botox, hydrofacials, and body services to ensure that patients receive treatments that strengthen their confidence all around.

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A post shared by Peel Haus – Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery (@peelhaus)

Aided by two plastic surgeons to conduct surgical procedures, including breast augmentation and cosmetic fat transfers, the center is a one-stop shop for all bodily and facial enhancement needs. Peel Haus seeks to be the answer for those wanting surgical and nonsurgical options, as well as cosmetic changes that help eliminate dark spots, and fillers to rejuvenate the face in sunken or wrinkle-prone areas.

Located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in D.C., the surgery studio is also home of the GlowTox, which combines therapy and a medical-grade skincare regimen that works to reveal new skin from within. Wanting to instill authentic relationships with its growing clientele, the company’s core values of excellence, inclusion, trust, and transparency are evident throughout its consultation-to-procedure process.

Through an intimate five-person team, these pillars of their mission are realized through tailoring each service to best benefit the client and their ultimate needs and goals while providing a safe medical facility where all are welcome and held in the highest regard. As Peel Haus begins taking clients for the new year, memberships are available for routine services as the team builds its first cohort of individuals, all focused on safe and medically sound aesthetic procedures.