Report: TaylorMade Files Patent Applications, Fueling Speculation Of A Deal With Tiger Woods
After Tiger’s split from Nike, speculation emerged that Woods would sign with golf outfitter TaylorMade.
Following Tiger Woods’ highly publicized split from Nike earlier in January, Golf reports that a new patent filing from TaylorMade appears to hint that an apparel deal between the brand and Woods is imminent.
Several trademark applications for a Sunday Red brand were submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office by TaylorMade Lifestyle Ventures LLC.
Woods already uses TaylorMade’s clubs, so this would represent a natural outgrowth of his association with the brand. After the golf legend’s split from Nike, speculation emerged that Woods would sign with TaylorMade, more so when the golf outfitter retweeted an episode of Woods’ appearance on the Fore Play podcast, which is affiliated with TaylorMade, with a caption reading “Stay tuned.”
TaylorMade filed four applications featuring Tiger-related trademarks, according to Golf. One shows a leaping Woods, another shows a leaping Woods with the letters SDR, two more spell out Sunday Red.
The applications are listed as live in the database, which indicates that they are awaiting examination and ultimately, approval. Woods has been associated with red basically since he began his professional career in the mid-1990s. Woods has previously said that his love of red came from his mother, Kutilda, who informed him that the color was a symbol of strength. Over the course of his career, Woods, who has won 15 major championships, has only failed to wear red during a final round of golf three times.
Golf Digest reports that an additional apparel company could be involved with the TaylorMade deal. Speculation among most golf outlets, including Golf Digest, is when the oft-injured Woods finally plays at Los Angeles’ Genesis Invitational on February 12 he will have a new look (with his old favorite color) while he stalks the green.
Biden-Harris Administration Forgives An Additional $4.9 Billion In Student Loans
The latest round of debt relief places the total loan forgiveness approved by the federal government to $136.6 billion which covers over 3.7 million Americans.
A press release from the Biden-Harris administration on Jan. 19 announced an additional $4.9 billion in student debt relief, covering 73,600 borrowers. The latest round of debt relief places the total loan forgiveness approved by the federal government to $136.6 billion, which covers over 3.7 million Americans. United States Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona thanked the Biden-Harris administration for its work before saying that the debt forgiven in this round will largely go to public servants.
“The Biden-Harris Administration has worked relentlessly to fix our country’s broken student loan system and address the needless hurdles and administrative inaccuracies that, in the past, kept borrowers from getting the student debt forgiveness they deserved, Cardona stated.
Cardona continued, “The nearly $5 billion in additional debt relief announced today will go to teachers, social workers, and other public servants whose service to our communities have earned them Public Service Loan Forgiveness, as well as borrowers qualifying for income-driven repayment forgiveness because their payments are for the first time being accurately accounted for.”
BREAKING: The Biden-Harris Administration has announced today the approval of $4.9 billion in additional student loan debt relief for 73,600 borrowers – the result of fixes to income-driven repayment (IDR) forgiveness & Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).⬇️ pic.twitter.com/gs9FUmwuAu
According to the press release, the debt relief comprises two distinct categories. One category allots $1.7 billion for 29,700 people using adjustments to the Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) payment counts. CBS News reports that in February, those who have already enrolled in the White House’s Saving on a Valuable Education Plan repayment plan and have been making payments for at least 10 years and less than $12,000 in student loans would have their student loan balances erased.
Another category earmarked $3.2 billion in relief covering 43,000 borrowers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. That program has forgiven $56.7 billion to date, covering 793,400 borrowers since 2021. The Department of Education has started to have conversations with borrowers who could be eligible for the program but have not enrolled yet to convince them to sign up.
According to the U.S. Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal, the Biden-Harris administration is motivated to assist those who the student loan system has had a hand in harming. “Today, we are helping borrowers who were promised help with their loans, planned their lives around those promises, and earned forgiveness through years of payments,” Kvaal said. “The Biden-Harris Administration is not going to stop until we’ve helped all of those harmed by the broken student loan system.”
FINDING A PATH TO WEALTH BUILDING THROUGH HAIRCARE
No one can accuse Mahisha Dellinger of not knowing herself or her worth. The former marketing manager of one of the nation’s largest corporations founded CURLS, her natural haircare brand.
Education Visionary: A Spotlight On Karren Dunkley’s Impactful Career And Forward-Thinking Approach
Karren Dunkley is using her expertise as a leadership coach to change one Philadelphia school.
In her yearslong career, Karren Dunkley has successfully turned the world of education on its head, partly due to her inspirational coaching methods and motivation to improve young people’s lives. Dunkley recounted her experiences as an educator and life coach with BLACK ENTERPRISE,where she outlined her achievements and values.
Dunkley’s interest in education arose while planning to attend law school after temporarily working at St. John’s University as a student instructor. It was there that her passion for equity and impact blossomed, leading to her work promoting inclusivity. Since embarking on this professional journey, she’s garnered widespread acclaim and was even selected as the New York State Assembly Teacher of the Year in 2005. Dunkley’s influence has only continued to spread since, and she has now launched her own leadership development organization called KND Consulting, where she resides as CEO.
“As the founder, principal, and CEO of KND Consulting, LLC, my role has uniquely positioned me to champion and advance the mission of fairness and diversity within our organization and the broader community,” she shared. “This commitment is reflected in our extensive work with various local, state, and federal entities, where we have collaborated to create policies and strategies that promote equity and inclusion. Our involvement at these multiple levels of governance has allowed us to influence meaningful change, ensuring that fairness is not just an ideal but a practical reality in public service.”
When asked about the qualities she focuses on as a leader, she emphasized practicing integrity, inclusivity, and innovation. “Integrity is the bedrock of my leadership. It’s about more than just honesty; it’s a commitment to ethical practices and transparency in all aspects of business,” she said.
“Inclusivity is crucial in today’s global and diverse business environment. I prioritize creating an environment where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed but are essential. This inclusivity enriches our organizational culture, enhances creativity, and ensures that we make decisions considering a wide array of viewpoints and experiences,” she continued.
However, Dunkley could not overstate the importance of innovation, a trait she described as “the fuel that drives us forward.”
“In an ever-evolving business landscape, staying complacent is not an option. I encourage a culture of continuous learning, where challenging the status quo and embracing change are part of our DNA. This approach keeps us competitive and fosters a dynamic environment where growth and development are central to individual and organizational success. These values are more than just words; they are the principles I live by daily as a leader,” she says.
She adds, “They guide my actions and decisions, ensuring that we not only achieve our organizational goals but also contribute positively to the development and well-being of our team members.”
Dunkley chronicles the woes and wonders of her career in her upcoming novel, How NOT to be a Leader: Seven Lessons for Life and Leadership.
Poverty within the Philadelphia district is a vacuum, keeping young people from ever witnessing their dreams reach fruition. However, Dunkley has long believed that education can counter this harm. Perhaps one of her most impressive feats since stepping into education is her work restructuring Parkway Center City High School as its principal.
When she first stepped into the position, she envisioned turning the school into a haven for students to evolve and thrive. This goal soon transformed into a reality through her unique and collaborative efforts with teachers, students, families, and the Philadelphia community. The school has reached unprecedented new heights, and with her initiative, students at Parkway Center City High School are now more college-ready than ever before, with increasing graduation rates and higher college enrollment figures, according to Dunkley.
Dunkley encourages embracing technology as a new way to advance academically rather than viewing it as a threat. “The rapid pace of technological change means that the learning process continues after formal education. Staying informed about emerging trends, being willing to acquire new skills, and adapting to changing job requirements are essential strategies for long-term career success,” she said.
Some parting wisdom from the leadership coach centered on adopting a healthier, more grounded approach to the practice. “It is time to end toxic leadership,” said Dunkley. “Leaders must confront their leadership hostages by reflecting on the biases and beliefs that impede their leadership potential, advocating for self-awareness and continuous personal growth. The lesson of embracing imperfection in leadership is critical.”
AC Milan Goalie Has Enough, Walks Off Field Due To Racist Heckling
AC Milan Goalie Mike Maignan speaks out against the ongoing racism at European football matches.
The goalie for AC Milan, Mike Maignan, has had enough racist heckling from fans at games. During a match on Jan. 20 against Udinese Calcio’s football club at the Dacia Arena in Udine, Italy, the taunts led Maignan to walk off the field–and his teammates followed him. According to Forbes, fans were persistent in spewing out racist rhetoric toward the Black French goalie, prompting Maignan to inform the officials while walking off the field.
“What happened in the first half is that at the first goal-kick, I heard monkey noises, I said nothing,” explained Maignan. “The second time I went to get the ball, I heard it again. I told the fourth official and my bench what happened.”
Typically, in the sport, players leaving should indicate to fans that their behavior must be remedied. However, the AC Milan athlete continued explaining that this act was not enough to change some fans’ racist motivations, and he should not be punished by abstaining from play due to this ongoing racism.
“I was upset to have to go into the changing room like that, but I had everyone’s support,” shared the athlete. “I said we cannot play football like this. It is not the first time it has happened this way. They must hand out very strong sanctions because talking no longer does anything.”
The issue of how teams like AC Milan, officials, and FIFA itself handle racial injustice at games is gaining traction after decades of ongoing abuse in this matter by fans toward players of color, specifically Black ones. While the current resolution to leave the stadium remains the same, so does the consistent racist language hurled at players. Despite Italian soccer clubs releasing statements and campaigns that denounce racism, FIFA itself has claimed that it will take further action to ensure the issue has an actual means to an end.
“As well as the three-step process (match stopped, match re-stopped, match abandoned), we have to implement an automatic forfeit for the team whose fans have committed racism and caused the match to be abandoned, as well as worldwide stadium bans and criminal charges for racists,” stated Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA.
However, whether or not this stance will come with new requirements for games to resolve issues of racial heckling better remains to be seen.
Megan Thee Stallion Still Under Attack, Body-Shamed By Lindsay Lohan’s Dad
Megan Thee Stallion’s brief cameo in the “Mean Girls” remake has set off Lindsay Lohan and her dad who shaded the rapper on Twitter.
Megan Thee Stallion’s brief cameo in the “Mean Girls” remake has set off Lindsay Lohan and her dad who shaded the rapper on Twitter.
The “Savage” rapper lent her talent to the new “Mean Girls” musical remake and soundtrack. She appears on the song “Not My Fault” with the new Regina George, singer/actress Renee Rapp, and also makes a slight cameo in the flick in a scene where she shows her support for Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), saying “Fire crotch is back.”
But considering the history of the “fire crotch” term, the Lohan family isn’t happy that it made its way into the new film.
Lohan’s rep Leslie Sloane tells Us Weekly that the original “Mean Girls” star is “very hurt and disappointed by the reference in the film.”
The origin of “fire crotch” stems from a 2006 TMZ interview with oil heir Brandon Davis and hotel heiress Paris Hilton. While the two wealthy offspring walked past cameras, Davis referred to Lohan as a “fire crotch” along with making several derogatory and sexual remarks about the film star.
The comment became an infamous moment in pop culture history and nearly 20 years later, it made its way into the “Mean Girls” remake. In a move of solidarity with his daughter, Lindsay’s dad Michael Lohan, fired off on Twitter in response to the film and Megan’s role in it.
“The ORIGINAL Mean Girls opening weekend box office vs the NEW one. Need I say more!!!????” Michael tweeted along with screenshots of the opening weekend numbers for the 2004 film and the 2024 version.
The ORIGINAL Mean Girls opening weekend box office vs the NEW one. Need I say more!!!???? pic.twitter.com/xqSgHbqFeX
The last tweet in his rant took direct aim at Megan’s physique and her current Planet Fitness partnership.
“I’m sorry, but you’re going to compare this…to this…in the “fitness” industry. Lol.. really?” Michael wrote under photos that compared his daughter to the “WAP” rapper.
Malia Obama Attends Sundance Film Festival For Debut Short Film ‘The Heart’
Malia Obama debuts her first feature, a short film titled 'The Heart,' at this year's Sundance Film Festival.
Malia Obama is making strides in her journey to feature filmmaking. The daughter of former first couple Barack and Michelle Obama attended the Sundance Film Festival to debut her short film The Heart.
According to CNN, Obama attended the Salt Lake City, Utah, staple on Jan. 18 to reveal her inaugural short to audiences. The project is part of Sundance’s Short Film Program 1 for its 2024 event.
The festival displayed a “Meet The Artist” video as well, in which Obama, whose name was written as Malia Ann, was heard on a voiceover for the film.
“My name is Malia, and I’m the writer-director of a short called ‘The Heart,’” began the 25-year-old. “Here’s some stills from the film which will be screened with the US fiction short films this year at Sundance.”
She continued, describing the “odd little story,” which depicts a man grieving the loss of his mother.
“This is an odd little story, somewhat of a fable, about a man grieving the death of his mother after she leaves him an unusual request in her will,” she explained. “The film is about lost objects and lonely people, forgiveness and regret. But I also think it works hard to uncover where tenderness and closeness can exist in these things.”
Obama is carrying on in her family’s post-politics footsteps, embarking on the entertainment industry with this feature. Before its premiere, the Harvard alum worked as a writer on Donald Glover’s Swarm for Amazon Prime. As for her famous parents, the Obamas have a development deal with Netflix for their Higher Ground production company. They released their latest film, Rustin, based on openly gay Civil Rights activist Bayard Rustin, to the streamer in November 2023.
“The folks who came together to make this film have my heart, pun intended,” shared Obama near the end of the video, which featured a still of the protagonist holding a literal heart within a jar. “And I’m incredibly grateful to them for giving this story life, and we are grateful to Sundance for giving us the opportunity to share it with you all. We hope that you enjoy the film and that it makes you feel a bit less lonely, or at least reminds you not to forget about the people who are.”
Business Development Professional Terry Rice Reveals 4 Keys To Growth
Rice shares valuable insights on creating high-performance routines.
Source: Business Development Professional and Entrepreneur Terry Rice. Photo Credit: Terry Rice
Business development professional and entrepreneur Terry Rice has innovated systems and propelled growth for brands like Adobe and Meta. As managing director of Growth and Partnerships at his agency, Rice is hosting and organizing the HeyCreator Summit — a unique opportunity for creators to learn from the best minds in audience growth, content development, and business development.
In a dynamic conversation with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Rice shares valuable insights on creating high-performance routines, cultivating an exceptional mindset, balancing ambition and realism, and the importance of networking for business development. Rice’s advice derives from extensive business experience, offering practical advice for entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals seeking to elevate their businesses in the new year.
CreateHigh-Performance Routines:
In the days and months of fast-paced personal and professional business development, it is easy for many of us to fall into undesigned routines, losing focus on the goals we set out to achieve.
“One of the easiest ways to become a high performer is to define what high performance is,” Rice explains. “Is it getting good at creating content, getting in shape, or being more patient with your children?”
Emphasizing the significance of defining high performance and tailoring business development routines to align with specific goals, Rice suggests blocking off dedicated time on the calendar for activities essential to one’s goals.
Using a personal example, he explains, “One of my goals is to get good at leveraging AI and automation to build companies. I block off four hours every week on my schedule to learn practical applications of how to use AI and automation for business development.”
Develop an Exceptional Mindset
In today’s landscape, a growth mindset alone isn’t enough because one must have a vision for why they are putting in the hard work. Creating a clear vision of the ideal future goes beyond just financial goals to drive growth. Rice introduces the concept of “living your legacy” as a personal philosophy, encouraging individuals to embody the traits they wish to be remembered.
Balance Ambition and Realism
“Mindset is something that you do,” he explains. The point of having a growth mindset is being willing to take on challenges and learn new things, even if they feel difficult.” He stresses the importance of a vivid vision, sharing, “see it all so clear that when you see opportunities to live in that vision, even if it’s challenging, you are going to push through.”
A delicate balance exists between ambition and realism. While dreaming big is encouraged, finding role models or mentors to reverse engineer business development success is crucial.
Rice suggests tethering thoughts and ambitions to reality and learning from role models. “You gotta tether your thoughts and ambitions to reality,” he says. “Find a role model, a mentor, or someone you can look at and say, OK, that person’s already doing it.”
Celebrating small wins and appreciating the journey can mitigate this effect, ensuring sustained satisfaction on the path to success.
Embracing Innovation and Networking
As the business landscape constantly evolves, continuous learning and adaptation are necessary. Drawing from experience, Rice says, “Spend time each week learning practical applications relevant to your industry, especially focusing on emerging technologies like AI for business development.”
When it comes to networking, Rice advocates for a proactive approach—give first before asking. He advises, “Give first by identifying 10 or 20 people you want to have in your network and think of a problem you can solve for them.”
He further emphasizes the need to nurture connections regularly: “Don’t forget to nurture your network. Spend at least an hour every week revisiting people in your network without needing anything from them.”
Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum In Memphis Shuts Down After Fire
A fire that mysteriously broke out at the Slave Haven Underground Railroad museum in Memphis has left the establishment temporarily closed.
The “Slave Haven” Underground Railroad Museum in Memphis is temporarily shutting down after a fire at the facility on Jan. 20 left smoke damage throughout the building.
According toAction 5 News the fire began at around 2 p.m. on that Saturday, but the Memphis Fire Department responded quickly and was able to stop the fire from damaging the historical place further.
Although only two rooms were actually impacted by the fire and no injuries were reported, the damage caused to the cultural landmark by smoke and subsequent water requires it to be closed to the public for the time being.
Slave Haven was transformed into a museum in 1997, complete with decorations from the 19th century to allow visitors to imagine the slave system, travel patterns of the Underground Railroad, and the messaging that allowed the journey to freedom to be possible. Those experiencing the landmark were able to dive deeper into the lives and journeys of those enslaved in Memphis, as well as Black history as a whole.
Memphis is already a storied city when it comes to the plight of Black Americans. The city is known for being where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. held his final speech,” I’ve Been To the Mountaintop,” at the Mason Temple on Apr. 3, 1968. The following day, King was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in the city. The site has since been transformed into the National Civil Right Museum.
An investigation into the fire in one of Memphis’ Black historical remnants remains ongoing, with no further detail on when Slave Haven will reopen.
Americans More At Ease With News Of Slowing Inflation, Report
A new survey reveals positive thinking by Americans in regards to the nation's economic future.
Americans are thinking more positively about today’s economy with the recent cooldown on inflation, as reported in a new consumer survey.
The survey, conducted by the University of Michigan and reshared by CNN, unveiled a 13% rise in consumers’ attitudes toward the nation’s economic condition since December 2023. The statistic has not seen such an improvement in over two years, last recorded with such levels in July 2021. Joanne Hsu, the director of the survey, noted that consumers are growing more confident that the worst woes of rising prices for everyday goods are behind them.
“Consumer views were supported by confidence that inflation has turned a corner and strengthening income expectations,” explained Hsu. “Over the last two months, sentiment has climbed a cumulative 29%, the largest two-month increase since 1991 as a recession ended.”
Their sentiments are backed by inflation levels remaining steady, as well as the job market improving as well. Robert Frick, a corporate economist at Navy Federal Credit Union, elaborated further on the causes that led to the newly positive outlook.
“The powerful surge shows Americans are feeling the effects of lower inflation. That’s transmitted directly through prices at the pump, which have been falling since September, and less directly given wage increases have risen above the rate of inflation,” detailed Frick. “The strong jobs market also heavily influences Americans’ view of the economy in general.”
However, not all risks are totally voided even with the slowdown, with the federal government noting that Americans should be optimistic yet cautious about the economy. While inflation is easing, the housing market and interest rates are still at record-high levels, with a retreat to pre-pandemic rates and pricing seemingly out of the question.
For Black Americans, inflation had severely impacted their economic standpoint, thwarting many Black households’ efforts to build wealth or lessen debts. With the additional issue of the pay gap, especially felt by women of color, the benefits of lowered inflation can only stretch so far.
Despite this, Americans as a whole are starting to think positively about their financial futures.
