by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 10, 2024

Alleged Tupac Shakur Murder Suspect Keefe D Bail Set At $750K

Against prosecutors wishes, a Las Vegas judge has set a bail amount of $750K for Duane "Keffe D" Davis

A judge has set bail for the suspect who is accused of planning the killing of Tupac Shakur. According to ABC News, a Las Vegas judge has set a bail amount of $750,000 for Duane “Keefe D” Davis so he can be placed on house arrest as he awaits trial for his alleged involvement in helping orchestrate Tupac’s killing on Sept. 7, 1996, in Las Vegas.

Prosecutors in the case were against the request for bail because they believed that he had been threatening potential witnesses in the case. Law enforcement officials have stated that the Clark County District Attorney’s Office has started an investigation regarding jailhouse phone calls from Keefe D. They allege that he may have been plotting to harm some witnesses cooperating with the prosecution. Prosecutors stated that Keefe D poses “credible threats to witnesses” and is a “danger to the community.”

His attorneys denied the allegations.

Court documents revealed that some of Keefe D’s phone calls were allegedly focused on witnesses cooperating with the prosecution. A conversation in October with his son was brought to light, alleging an “authorization to kill” was discussed, and based on that conversation, they decided, for the safety of one of their witnesses, to relocate the witness.

“I got something to tell you about some s**t that’s going on,” prosecutors said that Davis’ son told his father on that phone call. “What?” Davis responded. His son said, “Around the city, they talking about it’s a green light on our side,” according to the court filing.

That concern was verified by Las Vegas Sheriff Kevin McMahill when he told ABC News that they are “aware of those allegations, but I’m not going to speak about that.”

When defense attorneys requested bail, they asked that it not exceed $100,00, citing that Keefe D is not a threat to the community or a flight risk. They stated that the prosecutors were misinformed and that he never planned a hit on witnesses, but he was worried because there were rumors that his family was in danger.

He “never threatened anyone during the phone calls,” his attorneys wrote before Tuesday’s bail hearing. They said prosecutors’ interpretation of ‘green light’ is “flat-out wrong” and is an “inflammatory term that will lead people to draw unsupported inferences of wrongdoing.”

Tupac was shot several times in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas after attending a Mike Tyson fight on Sept. 7, 1996. The beloved yet controversial rapper and actor died six days later on Sept. 13. Keefe D, who wrote the book Compton Street Legend and did many interviews over the years, initially said that the killing of the “Me Against the World” lyricist was done by his nephew, Orlando Anderson, who was killed two years later. Anderson was seen on surveillance video having an altercation with the entertainer before the “All Eyez On Me” emcee died.

IRS Reporting, 1099 k, cash app, Venmo, Zelle, reporting, taxes,

by Rafael Pena

January 10, 2024

IRS Will Enforce 1099-K Reporting Of Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, And PayPal Transactions

In 2024, the IRS is set to enforce the long-anticipated 1099-K reporting requirement for third-party payment apps.

In 2024, the IRS is set to enforce the long-anticipated 1099-K reporting requirement for third-party payment apps, such as PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle. Initially slated for 2022, this rule mandates reporting earnings over $600 to the IRS; however, reporting will apply only to income exceeding $5,000 for the upcoming year. According to CNET, the IRS aims to streamline income reporting to ensure more accurate financial disclosures from freelancers and business owners.

This tax reporting shift has experienced delays in allowing payment apps to navigate complexities in distinguishing taxable and non-taxable transactions. This year’s phased rollout requires payment apps to report earnings exceeding $5,000, offering a transitional period to reach the eventual $600 threshold.

For freelancers, the evolving landscape introduces uncertainties regarding tax expectations for the upcoming season. While the reporting requirement was deferred for 2023, freelancers must continue reporting earnings. The impact of this change on 2024 tax returns is noteworthy, with the IRS potentially revisiting the threshold or further delaying the rule.

Popular payment apps like PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App will be subject to this IRS rule, necessitating freelancers to consider maintaining separate accounts for professional transactions. Importantly, the IRS clarifies that personal transactions, like gifts or reimbursements from family and friends, remain non-taxable.

For individuals selling personal items via third-party payment apps, transactions below the purchase cost are exempt from taxes. However, those running side hustles with profits exceeding $5,000 are subject to taxation.

As the reporting change looms, payment app users are encouraged to confirm tax information, such as an employer identification number or Social Security number. While the 1099-K simplifies filing for self-employed individuals, maintaining accurate records remains crucial. Freelancers with multiple clients are advised to track earnings systematically, manually, or through accounting software, ensuring a smooth transition into this new tax reporting landscape.

Kelly Price, Sunday's Best, co-host, call out, Erica Campbell, Kirk Franklin, panel, Jonathan McReynolds, Keyla Richardson

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 10, 2024

Kelly Price Calls Out Alleged ‘Cover Up’ In The Gospel Community

Kelly Price has the streets talking after a rant where she accused her "Sundays Best" co-hosts of being everything but children of God.

Kelly Price has the streets talking after a recent Instagram rant where she accused her Sundays Best co-hosts of being everything but real children of God.

The “Friend of Mine” singer got into it after sharing a post on Instagram accusing the social platform and Meta of sanctioning her for a response she posted to someone who allegedly harassed her online. There was one spectator who left a comment on the post seemingly shading Price for coming off aggressive on social media despite having served as a judge on BET’s award-winning gospel competition show Sunday’s Best.

Price appeared as a judge on the show for just 12 episodes that ran from 2019 to 2020. She judged alongside Erica Campbell, Jonathan McReynolds and host Kirk Franklin.

The songstress never spoke on why her time on the show was so short-lived. But her recent Instagram rant might explain why.

When responding to the critic who referenced her Sunday’s Best past, Price threw the whole tree at the other celebrity talent on the show and seemingly accused them of fornication, pedophilia, and taking part in other illicit sexual activity.

“Lord deliver us from pastor h—s and pedophiles,” she wrote in a response captured on Twitter. “Deliver us from self righteous congregants who send their money to liars and pimps in plain sight. Then come deliver me.”

Kelly price ate her right on up pic.twitter.com/eyI6fZd0Wq
— one of one (@HarleyQUEN87) January 6, 2024

“The nerve you have. I was the only artist/Judge on Sunday Best that wasn’t f—king someone else’s spouse, fornicating or messing with kids and boys but you have smoke for me? FOH you ignorant church going brain dead a—hole,” she added.

Price ended her tirade by highlighting her gospel roots and revealing why she has distanced herself from the gospel community since leaving Sunday’s Best.

“I’m a child of a preacher 3+ generations and I have NO desire to be named among the gospel community. Wonder why? You don’t. Cuz you already know what it is and are content to be apart of the cover up that had been happening for generations,” she quipped.

Kelly said— pic.twitter.com/2AUsEO14V3
— ♚ Thomas Brown Hewitt (@platinumgrammar) January 7, 2024

by Stacy Jackson

January 10, 2024

Wells Fargo Foundation Hands Reins To First Black Woman President, Darlene Goins

As president of its philanthropic Wells Fargo Foundation, Goins will implement strategies for housing, financial health, and sustainability.

Wells Fargo has appointed Darlene Goins its head of philanthropy and community impact as well as president of the Wells Fargo Foundation.

The new role positions Goins as the first Black woman president for the financial services company, The Chronicle of Philanthropy noted.

According to a Wells Fargo press release, Goins will chart the course of the company’s community and philanthropic efforts by driving the development and execution of its strategies pertaining to housing access and affordability, financial health, and small business growth and sustainability.

“With her banking expertise and track record in creating community impact, we aim to open pathways to economic advancement and strengthen historically marginalized communities,” said vice chairman of public affairs Bill Daley. Goins will report to Daley in her new position at Wells Fargo.

Daley said Goins’ personal insight and professional acumen at the intersection of banking, business, and community service will bring “a deep understanding of consumers and communities” to her new leadership position, “which will help us take our philanthropic investments to the next level.”

In her prior role as head of diverse customer segments for the company, Goins leveraged consumer insights and data to better serve minority groups and spearheaded Wells Fargo’s 10-year Banking Inclusion Initiative to increase access to low-cost banking and financial education.

“It is expensive to be unbanked and underbanked in this country; and we know there is a racial disparity in who has open pathways to economic advancement,” Goins said on the initiative’s page. “There are so many opportunities for us to reimagine what our society looks like as it pertains to financial inclusion.”

Goins also led financial health philanthropy at the foundation, assisting under-resourced groups with debt reduction, savings, and wealth building.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and completed a master’s degree in engineering-economic systems at Stanford University. The new president currently serves on the boards of national nonprofits Prosperity Now and the Bank Administration Institute.

Kristina Karamo, Michigan GOP, Chair, concede, race, 2022

by Sharelle Burt

January 10, 2024

Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo Voted Out, But Will She Accept?

They'll have to do a little more than host a meeting...

In a meeting, a group of 45 Michigan Republicans voted to have chairwoman Kristina Karamo removed after many of them called for her resignation.

But Karamo says she isn’t leaving.

Karamo, who didn’t attend the meeting, says she would not recognize the vote, regardless of the outcome, citing the meeting as unofficial and illegal. Close to 90% of the GOP members present at the Jan. 6 meeting voted for her removal, citing financial instability thanks to insufficient fundraising. The state GOP has been plagued with nearly $500,000 in debt as of October 2023 — along with another $110,000 owed to actor Jim Caviezel for a speaking appearance — and inside conflict.

Eight of the state’s 13 congressional district chairs want Karamo to “put an end to the chaos in our party” by stepping down. Committee members are prepared for a legal fight as her refusal to step down could set an unhealthy precedent. “She’s been voted out by the state committee,” state committee member, Bethany Wheeler, said.

“If this was a corporation, that’s the board. They’ve now fired the CEO, basically. She can fight it. But the fact of the matter is she was removed by the state committee and now they are in charge.”

Karamo rose to Republican prominence by spreading election conspiracies following the 2020 election. The former community college instructor was praised by former President Trump during her campaign for secretary of state in 2022, which she lost by 14 points — another result she has yet to concede to. In February 2023, Karamo was elected alongside her co-chair, Malinda Pego, with the goal of leading the party through the 2024 elections.

In under a year, Pego, who will now serve as acting chair until a formal election takes place, signed the petition to have Karamo removed, according to Politico.

The disgraced chair still has the support of some fellow GOP members. State Committeewoman Darlene Doetzel voted in Karamo’s favor and claimed race was the reason for the removal vote. “Let’s call it what it is. It’s all white in there,” Doetzel said. “Let’s not mistake this. You’ve got a Black woman in power, a Christian, and they don’t want that.”

The drama doesn’t arrive at the best time. The party will be hosting a convention on March 2 to prepare 39 of the state’s 55 Republican presidential delegates. The other 16 delegates will be determined based on the results of the Republican primary on Feb. 27.

Agricultural Entrepreneurs Secure Funding On REVOLT’s Bet On Black Series

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 10, 2024

Agricultural Entrepreneurs Secure Funding On REVOLT’s Bet On Black Series

Meet the farmers who won the third season of "Bet on Black."

Nestled in the heart of Houston, a vibrant city bustling with diversity and culture, Jeremy Peaches and Ivy Lawrence-Walls have emerged as beacons of innovation and dedication to a very important cause—sustainable agriculture.

Taking home the grand prize of $200,000 during the third season of REVOLT’s Bet On Black series, a groundbreaking entrepreneurial competition in collaboration with Target, Black Farmer Box was created to address food equity in the Black community and access. The business caught the attention of the esteemed panel of judges which included influential figures such as Pinky Cole, Van Lathan, Bun B, and Ray J.

A third-generation farm owner and visionary entrepreneur, Ivy’s roots in agriculture run deep, providing her with a special perspective and a rich understanding of the industry. Jeremy, a passionate agricultural entrepreneur, is deeply ingrained in both community and culture and stands at the forefront of advocating for food accessibility and equity. Their combined dedication to nurturing food-secure ecosystems has positioned the company as a key figure in Houston’s agricultural scene.

As shared by Bun B during the final episode, Black Farmer Box, a grocery box concept aimed at strengthening food security and promoting wellness through the principles of food equity, speaks to the Black experience in America. Devoted to the production of sustainable and community-focused agriculture and recognizing the scarcity of fresh produce in underserved communities, Ivy and Jeremy represent Black farmers giving back to the land, in the name of and for the benefit of the Black community.

During the taping, Ivy shared that “Houston is the fourth-largest city in America. However, it ranks number 2 when it comes to food insecurity. With over 700,000 people who identify as food insecure…the Black Farmer Box is creating an equitable, affordable food system for farmers to serve food desert communities”—in the heart of the community, where people need it most.

Ivy’s business portfolio includes Ivy Leaf Farms as well as Fresh Houwse Grocery, another initiative the pair launched, to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers and extend their shared commitment to providing fresh, locally sourced produce to underserved communities. She also recently opened Kuji Kitchen restaurant, a farm-to-table dining experience that celebrates the rich cultural tapestry of Houston and provides ready-to-eat food for those who don’t cook.

A defining aspect of the Bet On Black series is its commitment to supporting Black entrepreneurs without requiring them to sacrifice equity. This aligns seamlessly with Ivy and Jeremy’s values, allowing them to maintain ownership and control over their ventures while receiving the financial support needed to continue their efforts. The $200,000 grand prize comes as a timely and pivotal boost. The funding will enable the pair to scale up their ventures and to promote food equity and access in Houston and beyond.

As representatives of the Black farming community, Ivy and Jeremy established a brand that truly encompasses the essence of Black farmers working the soil—with a strong community aspect. Their appearance on Bet On Black makes the idea of agriculture accessible to others and reinforces their deep commitment to addressing food security. By raising awareness for accessibility issues in underserved minority communities, they hope their involvement on the show contributes to the evolving narrative around the lack of access to high-quality, nutrient-dense food in Black and brown neighborhoods.

Ivy and Jeremy have served as a source of inspiration, demonstrating that with passion, innovation, and community-focused initiatives, it is possible to create positive change and address pressing societal issues.

As a symbol of a progress and transformation in the agricultural industry, particularly in Black communities, their success represents a shift in the narrative around agriculture and the pivotal role it can play in building resilient and thriving communities. Ivy and Jeremy’s dedication to sustainability, community empowerment, and cultural preservation have set them apart as true trailblazers in shaping the future of Black farming.

Princess Tiana Disney Attraction Gets New Weathervane

by Lauren Nutall

January 10, 2024

Princess Tiana Disney Attraction Gets New Weathervane

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is getting a new weathervane, combining her vibrant New Orleans culture and African roots.

Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort is building a new weathervane in the spirit of Princess Tiana.

Handcrafted by one of Louisiana’s finest blacksmiths, Darryl Reeves, this new addition to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is designed to showcase her cultural importance and strength. Reeves will use a centuries-old technique while giving a nod to African heritage and New Orleans style. “I take metal and do anything I want with it,” he told the Disney Parks Blog. “To have a free hand to design and fabricate the weathervane for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure…that’s an honor.”

Reeves has been a blacksmith for over five decades, creating some of New Orleans’ most well-known structures. Now, he and his apprentice, Karina Roca, are taking on a new project. What sets Tiana’s weathervane apart from other Disney attractions is its cultural spin, which Roca explained in a recent video at Disney Parks.

“The Adinkra symbols in it were very carefully chosen with such a level of love and intention,” she said. “The top symbol is a symbol of endurance. It looks like a fern because fern plants are very resilient. They can grow and thrive in any environment. The symbol below that, it was centered around the divinity of Mother Earth, and it’s a depiction of this old saying ‘as above, so below.’”

Through these different types of symbolism, both Reeves and Roca hope to pay homage to Louisiana’s rich culture and Tiana’s lasting impact. “To think of all of the people that will see this piece really means, for me, to amplify the sort of message and love of our ancestors that have given us these symbols through ironwork so long,” Roca said.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has brought out some of Louisiana’s greatest talents. In October 2023, artist Malaika Favorite was tapped to illustrate a new mural of the Disney Princess. The attraction is scheduled to be unveiled in September this year.

Health in Her HUE, healthcare, Ashlee Wisdom, seed round, 3m

by Stacy Jackson

January 10, 2024

Health In Her HUE Raises $3 Million To Expand Healthcare Platform For Women Of Color

Health in Her HUE aims to improve healthcare outcomes for women of color by connecting them with culturally competent providers.

The women’s health startup Health in Her HUE announced a $3 million seed funding round on Jan. 8, led by venture capital firm Seae Ventures.

Founded in 2018 by CEO Ashlee Wisdom, Health in Her HUE aims to improve healthcare outcomes for women of color by connecting them with culturally competent providers and educational resources tailored to their needs, Tech Crunch reported.

This funding comes at a critical moment, as women of color continue to face barriers to quality care rooted in discrimination. As Wisdom told the site, “Modern medicine is permeated with myths like Black people feel less pain compared to white patients or that Black skin is thicker than white skin.”

By addressing these disparities head-on, Health in Her HUE seeks to rebuild trust between women of color and the healthcare system.

The company plans major expansions to its platform and programs with its new capital. This includes growing its Care Squad service, which offers customized health education classes, and adding new topic areas like fertility, endometriosis, and postpartum care. Health in Her HUE will also launch a video question-and-answer product enabling users to get expert advice on their health questions.

Wisdom said fundraising was “undeniably challenging,” especially amid 2022’s economic downturn. But she stayed focused on both bringing in funding and generating revenue sustainably. Seae Ventures has supported Wisdom’s company since its 2021 pre-seed round.

Additional investors in this oversubscribed round include Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, HBCU Founders Fund, Stanford Impact Fund, and Morgan Stanley Inclusive Ventures Labs, Tech Crunch noted. To date, Health in Her HUE has raised $4.2 million.

Going forward, Wisdom hopes to expand the company’s reach and improve customer retention by enhancing the member experience. As she told TechCrunch, “I want to ensure that more women of color and individuals can benefit from the valuable offerings we provide.”

The digital health field is booming, and Health in Her HUE joins the few companies specifically targeting minority women.

Sarah Rector, land, oil, reserve, Oklahoma, wealth

by Stacy Jackson

January 10, 2024

Sarah Rector: Hidden Oil Wealth Made The 11-Year-Old The ‘World’s Richest Negro Girl’ In The Early 1900s

Her family got 160 acres of land in Oklahoma in the early 1900s that hid an oil reserve. It would make her the richest Black girl in America.

When Sarah Rector’s family was granted 160 acres of dry, barren land in Oklahoma in the early 1900s, they assumed the property had little value. But unbeknownst to them, it hid an oil reserve that would make young Sarah the richest Black girl in America.

Under an 1866 treaty, Freedmen children like Rector — born in 1902 to parents who were Black descendants of the Muscogee Creek Nation — were given parcels of native land. Usually the land was considered undesirable, Business Insider reported. But that wasn’t the case for Rector, who received marriage proposals and loan requests despite still being a child when the oil reserve was discovered.

Headlines called her “the world’s richest Negro girl,” with a 1914 Washington Post article describing Rector as “an orphan, crude, Black, and uneducated” now worth millions, according to Business Insider. Like contemporaneous Osage Indians who acquired oil rights, Rector also faced threats. Some Freedmen children possessing oil wealth were even murdered.

Before the reserve was made known, Rector’s father deemed the $30 annual tax on the land not worth paying. As a result, he tried to sell it, unaware of the land’s rich secret. Luckily, the petition to sell was denied. In 1911, Rector’s father leased the land to Standard Oil to help cover costs. Two years later, an oil speculator struck a gusher that produced $300 of oil daily, which is more than $7,000 today.

Almost overnight, 11-year-old Rector gained staggering wealth, attracting curiosity and prejudice.

Under the law, Native and Freedmen minors with substantial assets needed white guardians. Rector’s parents chose their longtime benefactor, T.J. Porter, to fill this role. But when word spread, many suspected Porter was mishandling Rector’s money, prompting famous figures like W.E.B. Du Bois to investigate.

“Is it not possible to have her cared for in a decent manner and by people of her own race, instead of by a member of a race which would deny her and her kind the treatment accorded a good yard dog?” NAACP lawyer James C. Waters Jr. wrote Du Bois in 1914, according to Business Insider.

Ultimately the suspicions weren’t proven to be true. Rector went on to live comfortably, hosting lavish parties with celebrities.

Despite her early hardships, Rector left a legacy of generational wealth and resilience. She died in 1967 at age 65.

Killer Mike, New York, Blue Note Jazz Club, Michael Render, shows,

by Rafael Pena

January 10, 2024

Killer Mike To Perform At Atlanta Hawks Halftime Show During MLK Day

Killer Mike will perform a special tribute during halftime, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.

The Atlanta Hawks have announced their plans for the annual MLK Game presented by Chase at the city’s State Farm Arena on Jan. 15. Hip-hop icon and Atlanta native Killer Mike, nominated for three Grammy awards, will perform a special tribute during halftime, celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fans in attendance will receive Hawks-branded tote bags courtesy of Chase, according to Sports Illustrated.

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Hawks players and staff, during warmups, will wear special MLK shooting shirts featuring a quote from Dr. King. The Hawks, donning their Fly City Edition uniforms, will face San Antonio at 3:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at hawks.com/tickets.

Killer Mike expressed his excitement about his upcoming performance, saying, “As an Atlanta native and fellow Morehouse Man who is also a Hawks fan, performing for Atlanta during the MLK celebration is the homecoming dream of a lifetime.”

Known for his roles as musician, advocate, and entrepreneur, Killer Mike’s influence extends beyond his music career. He owns a chain of barbershops, including one at State Farm Arena named the S.W.A.G. Shop.

Melissa Proctor, chief marketing officer for the Hawks and State Farm Arena, said, “We are beyond excited to have world-renowned and Atlanta’s own Killer Mike perform as part of this special annual MLK Game presented by Chase.”

Before the game, a Chase-sponsored panel titled “A Transparent Conversation About Homeownership in Atlanta” will discuss increasing homeownership rates among Black Americans in Atlanta. Panelists include Terri M. Lee (COO, Atlanta Housing), Corey Mason (head of Chase home lending for Atlanta), and Latresa McLawhorn Ryan (CEO, Blackbird Strategy Group).

In recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s activism, Olympian Dr. Tommie Smith will be honored during the game. Dr. Smith is known for his iconic gesture at the 1968 Olympics, raising a fist during the national anthem to signify his dedication to civil rights.

The Hawks and Chase will also honor local Black- and woman-owned marketing firm Communiqué USA. Furthermore, the Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society will perform during the player introductions and the national anthem.