Barbados Prime Minister Says England Owes $4.9 Trillion
Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley claims the island nation is owed $4.9 trillion by England.
Following praise of England’s King Charles for his 2022 comments during a trip to Rwanda that the time had come for the colonial power to acknowledge slavery’s impact during its reign, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley claimed the island nation is owed $4.9 trillion by England, The Independent reports. That figure is a reduction from her previous claim of $24 trillion, which she had asserted was based on a “standard definition” of damage.
On Dec. 6, Mottley said that it was time for the “conspiracy of silence” to end and time for a conversation about reparations to begin. During an event honoring Barbados’ first poet laureate, Mottley said, “We’re not expecting that the reparatory damages will be paid in a year, or two, or five because the extraction of wealth and the damages took place over centuries. But we are demanding that we be seen and that we are heard.”
According to a 2021 op-ed for The Guardian by Suleiman Bulbulia, a member of the Republican Status Transition Advisory Committee, Barbados was a colonial subject of England for 396 years and, during much of that time, functioned as a “slave society.”
Bulbulia noted that the impact of Black Lives Matter and the protests resulting in a reckoning with American history had reached the shores of Barbados, resulting in the removal of a statue of Lord Nelson In National Heroes Square in Barbados’ capital city of Bridgetown. Bulbulia quoted a leading voice in the push for reparations, Professor Hilary Beckles, a Barbadian historian and the vice-chancellor of the University of the West Indies.
“Barbados was the birthplace of British slave society and the most ruthlessly colonized by Britain’s ruling elites,” Beckles wrote, according to the piece. “They made their fortunes from sugar produced by an enslaved, ‘disposable’ workforce, and this great wealth secured Britain’s place as an imperial superpower and caused untold suffering.”
Mottley recognized the courage of King Charles, who delivered the remarks at Rwanda’s Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in June 2021. She believed England’s foreign secretary would be guided on the matter of beginning restitution for the country’s time under British colonial rule.
Mottley acknowledged King Charles’ remarks in 2021, saying, “I’m not going to get into the details of our conversation, but suffice [it] to say I think the foreign secretary will take his lead from his majesty.”
Mottley added, “I want to salute the King for having the courage to recognize this is a conversation that the time has come to have.”
NBA Player Aaron Gordon Reveals Woman Googled His Net Worth While On Date
NBA player Aaron Gordon speaks on Michael Porter Jr.'s Interview Show about the time he witnessed his date searching the internet for his net worth.
An NBA player is getting honest about the new realities of dating. During an interview, Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon revealed that a woman once googled his net worth while on a date.
Gordon detailed the story while speaking with fellow NBA athlete Michael Porter Jr. on his Curious Mike show, as reported by Complex. Gordon, who was drafted into the NBA in 2014, spoke of how “exhausting” dating has been, especially as a public figure.
“I’ll definitely settle down. In ten years, yeah. I think I’ll be married in five years,” shared the 28-year-old when asked about his romantic plans. “I’ve been in the NBA since I was 18, so I grew up in this. I’ve seen the ins and outs. I’ve done this, that, the third. It’s exhausting. Being in the streets is exhausting. Being outside, it’s tiring. I’m not saying marriage isn’t tiring and exhausting in its own right; it is work, but if you find the right woman, it can be completely empowering. What’s a king without a queen?”
He then recalled the awkward moment when he noticed his date looking up his net worth.
“Check this out: I went on a date with this girl one time, I forget where we were going where it was, might have been in like Chicago or something like that,” he shared on the platform. “I got to the spot, right? We were just sitting at the bar waiting for our table, getting drinks, whatever. She opened up her phone. The last thing she had on her phone was ‘Aaron Gordon’s net worth.’ You know what I’m saying? See what I’m saying? I was like, ‘Yo, this is wild.'”
According to Sportskeeda, Gordon is making $21.2 million for the 2023-2024 NBA season, making his earnings well over the average. However, Gordon still has hope for “real” love, despite the women who may have ulterior motives coming his way.
“When you get to this level, there’s certain girls that mess with you just for, you know, like the clout, the money, the security. There are real ones, you know, there’s real ones out there.”
5 AI Trends Profoundly Benefiting Business Bottom Lines
Emerging AI methodologies are helping forward-thinking companies achieve and sustain true agility, fuel growth, and compete aggressively.
Originally Published Nov. 16, 2020
In today’s tumultuous business-scape amid increasingly intricate, and often vexing, marketplace conditions, curating and mining data to drive analytics-based decision-making is no longer enough. For competing with maximum, sustained impact and mitigated opportunity loss, it’s rapidly monetizing data that’s now the name of the game—particularly when spurred by artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, emerging AI methodologies are helping forward-thinking companies achieve and sustain true agility, fuel growth, and compete far more aggressively than ever before.
AI is critical as a means toward those ends and also certainly with respect to aptly predicting, preparing, and responding to prospective crises. In fact, Gartner cited the need for “smarter, faster, more responsible AI” as its No. 1 trend that data and analytics leaders should focus on—particularly those looking to “make essential investments to prepare for a post-pandemic reset.” Novel coronavirus matters aside, Gartner underscored just how impactful AI will become, predicting that, “by the end of 2024, 75% of enterprises will shift from piloting to operationalizing AI, driving a 5X increase in streaming data and analytics infrastructures.”
To innovate “data and analytics leaders require an ever-increasing velocity and scale of analysis in terms of processing and access to succeed in the face of unprecedented market shifts,” said Rita Sallam, distinguished VP analyst, Gartner.
However, employing AI techniques like machine learning (ML) and natural language processing (NLP) to glean insights and render projections is simply no longer “enough” to get the job done—especially for organizations seeking to compete efficiently on a national, multi-national, or global scale. Today’s organizations must endeavor toward a culture of AI-driven data literacy that directly and positively influences their top and bottom lines.
“To help data monetization-minded enterprises better future-proof their operations and asset-amplify their data value chain, there are a few key ways to implement and elevate machine intelligence so that it’s far smarter, faster, and more accountable than protocols past,” says Microsoft alum Irfan Khan, founder and CEO of CLOUDSUFI—an AI solutions firm automating data supply chains to propel and actualize data monetization.
Below, Khan details five benefits of leveraging AI data-driven insights and technology in a way that will create actual and actionable value right now—the kind of insights that enable new and evolved business models and empower companies to increase both revenue and profitability.
Manifesting new market opportunities
Today’s machine learning capabilities allow people to sift through data that previously could not be accessed, all at speeds faster than ever before. Present technology offers the opportunity to wholly analyze image, spoken, or written inputs rather than just numerical, helping companies better find connections across these diverse data sets. This generates and maximizes value in a number of ways. Relative to the bottom and top lines, not only can it significantly reduce expenses, but it can also create new market opportunities.
Machine learning advancements also help companies better monetize their data and establish new revenue streams. In the above example, of course patient information would not be shared or sold in any way, but other highly valuable data points can be gleaned. This includes determining that a certain drug is only effective on woman between certain ages—critical insights for pharmaceutical developers and physicians.
Emerging AI data processing protocols are far more rapid than prior iterations of machine-learning technology, as are the resulting solutions, discoveries, and profit-producing results thereof.
Reconcile emotions with actualities
Data generate value, which lead to the generation of money. It’s that simple. Previously, it was difficult, if not humanly impossible, to sift through mass amounts of data and pinpoint relationships. There existed very rudimentary tools like regression and correlation, but today’s analytics call for gaining a true understanding of what extracted data actually means. How do you convert data into a story you can actually tell? Often, decisions are made based on emotional foundations. Leaders are using data to either validate their gut or disagree with their instincts. Now, they are getting quicker insights that decisively validate or invalidate their thinking, while also prompting them to ask new questions. So, garnering meaning out of a company’s own data provides tremendous advantages.
“Human nature is such that unless we can see it, touch it, feel it, it’s hard to understand it,” Khan says. “We as data scientists haven’t done a really great job of explaining AI-driven data technology in simple terms. Telling a story with data or demonstrating actual results is where real power and understanding lies.”
Scale statistical models for actionable models
We often separate our data as factuals, asserting “this is what happened.” Neural networks connect the “human decision-making process” to those factuals—a simulation practice that helps us make better decisions. Previously, we would look at data sets like demographics, customer behaviors, and such in silos. But when these multiple data sets are connected, it becomes quite evident that no two humans—or customers—are exactly alike.
Technology is now allowing us to understand trends on a factual level and then project outward. In the health realm, some companies are using this key learning to project whether or not a person is likely to suffer a certain affliction. It’s also allowing for far more efficacious “if this, then what?” scenarios. If a diabetic person takes insulin controls, then their treatment protocol will change. This is enabling highly personalized medicine. But the same processes, principles and benefits hold true in non-health categories as well—encompassing all industries, across the board.
Future-proof, anti-fragile data supply chains
From data connectors to pipelines; data lakes to statistical models; AI to Quantum; visual storyboards to data-driven automation; ML to NLP to Neural Networks and more, there are highly effective methods for future-proofing your data value chain. The data supply chain is quite complex and, to make it future-proof and non-fragile, it requires thoughtful processing from the point of creation to the point of consumption of actionable insights.
It starts with data acquisition—garnering a wide variety and volume of data from a number of internal and external sources where data are being generated by the millisecond. Once the data are identified and ingested, they need to brought to a central point where they can be explored, cleansed, transformed, augmented and enriched, and finally modeled for use toward a purpose. Then comes statistical and heuristic modeling. These models can be of different types using different algorithms yielding different levels of accuracy in different scenarios. Models then need to be tuned and provided an environment for continuous feedback, learning, and monitoring. Finally, is the visualization of outcomes—an explanation demonstrated by drawing cause-effect relationships that highlight where the most impact happens. This leads to a conclusion on how a set of problems can be solved or opportunities uncovered.
“Most organizations have some data and drive different levels of business process improvement and strategic decisions with it,” Khan notes. “However, few use data to the fullest. The right approach to data valuation and monetization can uncover limitless possibilities, including customer centricity, operational efficiency, competitive advantage, strategic partnerships, efficient operations, improved profitability, and new revenue streams.”
Multimedia monetization
Up to now, we have been able to write algorithms, generate immense amounts of numerical or written data, and make sense of it. However, there is a significant amount of data that comes as images or voice, which has not been easy to process and manage until recent developments. The applications for the processing of visual and auditory inputs are endless. In fact, retail and finance industries have been early adopters of this technology—and with good reason. They’ve seen costs go down, engagement go up, sales increase and benefitted from other highly substantial points of monetization.
Now, a large department store can digitize their video data every night and determine that “X” number of people saw “X” number of jeans, but they had to walk farther to get to it. As a result, the department store can put those items closer to the door and walkways to determine if sales increase in kind.
Even the education realm is tapping AI-driven data. The technology is tracking retina movement to discern if kids are engaged amid the remote learning paradigm ushered in by the pandemic. They’re exploring how to measure the retina to determine whether or not a child is actually engaged in the lesson.
Radiology is starting to convert visual data and track it to gain a deeper understanding of digital images and video. MRIs are better able to track brain tumors—whether they are growing or shrinking and at what rate and if they are getting darker or lighter in terms of the regions. This kind of AI-driven learning is helping doctors better detect cancer and treat it more rapidly. Video data processing of the human eye can also be used to determine if a person is drunk, fatigued, or even has a disease. Voice machine learning has also keenly evolved. Originally, voice recognition was being utilized to discern if a person was actually suicidal, which could be accurately predicted by inflection points in a person’s voice. Now, if that person can be captured on video, it is deemed to be about 20 times more accurate.
“All of this possibly had previously demanded a hefty price tag using systems and solutions of yore,” Khan noted. “Today, integrating multiple processes across hybrid multi-cloud environments has made data processing and analytics much more accessible and outsourceable. This negates the need for companies to purchase cost-prohibitive servers and other machine hardware.”
As one of the world’s leading experts on building transparency into supply chains, Khan doesn’t just talk the talk, he’s walked the walk. As a revered marketplace change agent, he’s known for driving business transformation and customer-centric turnaround growth strategies in a multitude of environments. In addition to engineering partnerships with MIT, Khan has successfully led organizational changes and process improvement in markets across the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and Asia.
“New AI solutions and trends will eliminate patchwork processes that cause data, and interpretations thereof, to get lost in translation or, even worse, remain entirely undiscovered,” Khan says. “Next-Gen platforms are solving such problems by executing all functions required to create and govern AI products— single-source systems that pull data, transform, model, tunes and recommend actions with cause-effect transparency.”
For niche players, today’s leading-edge AI technology also aptly provides for vertical industry specialization. “Emerging solutions enable common data models, compliance, and interoperability requirements that, in turn, accelerate model validation, refinement and implementation that’s specific to a given sector or marketplace,” notes Khan. “All of this ultimately drives speed to insights on previously unsolved problems, which reveals untapped opportunities and automates workflow integrated cognitive solutions.
“Overall, AI is ushering in a new and more sophisticated era of data literacy,” he continues. “It’s a new paradigm founded on automated, comprehensive, and holistic data discovery, which is fostering elevated cognitive insights and actionable strategies that positively impact the top and bottom line.”
Perhaps the future mandate for AI should not only focus on becoming smarter, faster, and more accountable than its predecessors, but actually bridge the gap between human intuition and data-backed decisions. Doing so will assuredly advance an organization’s ability to transact with utmost trust.
Jury Selected In Defamation Trial Against Rudy Giuliani
The two women have had their lives turned inside out over Giuliani's actions.
The jury was selected on Dec. 11 in the high-profile defamation case where two Georgia election workers are suing former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani for millions.
From a group of 12, eight Washington, D.C. residents were picked to hear testimonies from two former Fulton County, GA, election workers, Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea ArShaye “Shaye” Moss. The two women sued Giuliani for running a smear campaign where he accused them of committing election fraud in order to change the results of the 2020 election in their state. The jury consists of three men and five women, including a journalist from Al Jazeera, a veteran U.S. Forest Service employee, a Defense Intelligence Agency cost analyst, a hemp seed entrepreneur, and an accountant for the Girl Scouts.
Freeman and Moss are hoping the jury will award them anywhere between $15.5 million to $43 million for damages from Giuliani, but there is no word on if that will happen. The two women caught the nation’s attention when the disgraced former politician and attorney posted a video of Freeman and Moss processing ballots at State Farm Arena on election night and claimed that was evidence of them tampering with ballots. In early 2023, U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell found Giuliani liable for a number of claims, including defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress and civil conspiracy.
“What’s in a name? Power. Purpose. Pride,” attorney Von Dubose said in opening statements. “This case is about how Mr. Giuliani and his co-conspirators took these folks’ good names.”
The harassment began shortly after President Biden won the Oval Office on Dec. 3, 2020. What started as an online smear campaign turned into death threats, racist remarks, and in-person visits to Freeman’s home. According to Dubose, there were calls for Freeman and Moss to be hung. Because of the threats, Freeman was forced to sell her home, and Moss was out of work and struggled to find new employment.
Adam Silver Will Speak To Ja Morant As He Nears End Of 25-Game Suspension
Silver said, "we will review the program and make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful going forward."
Memphis Grizzlies suspended player Ja Morant is coming to the end of the 25-game suspension handed him for being seen for a second time on social media brandishing a handgun. The Grizzlies’ 26th game of the season will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 19, making Morant eligible to come off the suspension list and able to play. ESPN has reported that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver would speak to Morant before the time comes for him to be a regular player in the league again.
Before the conclusion of the NBA In-Season Tournament that the Los Angeles Lakers just won over the weekend, the commissioner updated reporters on Morant’s progress amid his suspension. He did elaborate that Morant checks in with the league weekly, and the next time, Morant will be meeting exclusively with him.
“Yes, I have been monitoring the situation closely, and him. In fact, we intend to have a check-in this week directly, Ja Morant and I,” Silver said on Saturday, Dec. 9, before the Lakers played against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena. “But folks in the league office, together with Ja and his team and the Players Association, have been in regular contact, essentially weekly. There have been those checkpoints.
“We’ve, together, laid out a program for him over the last several weeks, and to the best of my knowledge, he’s complied with everything he’s been asked to do. As I said, we’ll talk at least once this week before he comes back, and we will review the program and make sure the conditions are in place for him to be successful going forward.”
It was revealed in October that although suspended, Morant would be allowed to practice and travel with the Grizzlies while he serves out his punishment.
Earlier this year, in June, the NBA suspended the All-Star guardfor the first 25 games of the 2023–24 season, penalized for an incident where Morant was seen on Instagram Live flashing a gun. That was the second time he was captured on social media with a firearm in his hand. The 23-year-old was initially suspended for eight games back in March following an incident where he was seen with a gun on an Instagram Live video at a Denver nightclub. Morant received his latest suspension after he was seen on a friend’s Instagram feed holding what appeared to be a gun a month before the suspension was given.
Without Morant, the Grizzles have started the season 6-15 and are in 13th place in the Western Conference.
The cornerstore of entrpreneurial success is, increasingly, marketing. These seven courses will help you master the basics and beyond.
Originally Published Dec. 27, 2020
The United States economy is held up by small business. Forbes puts the number of small businesses in the U.S. at 33.2 million. Out of that number, 8 out of 10 businesses are owned and operated by a single person. Word of mouth is ineffective when you are the sole mouthpiece for your business. That’s where being tech-savvy comes into play. Here are all the skills you need to master to help your business remain relevant and seen without physically handing out business cards.
Google Analytics
Not only does a Google certification look great on a résumé, but the skills you learn are actually applicable to the working world. The Google Analytics certificate gives you the superpower of checking how effective your marketing campaigns are, a major skill needed in web traffic.
It’s time to utilize your Facebook page for more than memes and status updates. In this Facebook masterclass for local businesses, you’ll learn the art of running and retargeting ad campaigns and how to maximize your campaign from methods like live-streaming.
Writing is not a dying art, especially copywriting. A master copywriter can drive money to your business by stringing the right words together to sell a product. So, whether you’re honing those skills for your business or freelancing as a copywriter, this 11-course bundle will set you up for success.
We’ve seen how billions of people around the world can assemble together to watch one single video. Want to get in on the views? There’s a secret to using YouTube to create a digital empire, and you have all the insight into the behind-the-scenes editing you can use for YouTube ads to grow your audience even further right here with this bundle.
There’s a specific algorithm for getting your website to appear in Google searches. If you don’t have SEO down pat, you could spend hours creating an incredible site that doesn’t get the viewership it deserves. With some training on Google Ads, SEO, and Backlink Building, you’ll start raking in the clicks.
Data is at the core of what you do, whether you’re in tune with the numbers game or not. Jump-start your knowledge of data analysis with beginner-friendly courses on Python, Power BI, and even handy-dandy Excel features, specially curated in a nine-course bundle.
Whether you’re shipping out your own product or outsourcing, Jeff Bezos isn’t the only one who can make money off of Amazon. Now, you can have insider knowledge on picking out the perfect product, running ads on various platforms, and how to keep the cash flow steady with this passive income.
Aaron Perry Builds Free Dental Clinic For Black Men And Their Families
Renowned community advocate Aaron Perry marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Perry Family Free Dental Clinic.
Madison365 reports that renowned community advocate Aaron Perry marked a significant milestone with the launch of the Perry Family Free Dental Clinic on Dec. 7, concurrently kicking off a national book tour. Situated within the Boys and Girls Club in Fitchburg, WI, the dental clinic extends the legacy of Perry’s other family clinics by aiming to offer preventative care and address healthcare access disparities. Reflecting on the inauguration, Perry acknowledged the crucial role played by SSM Health in establishing the first clinic dedicated to bridging health and wellness gaps, particularly for Black men.
“We were very fortunate to have SSM Health. When they were closing their old clinic and decided to build a new one, we knew right away that a lot of the medical beds and cabinetry were going to end up in a landfill somewhere,” Perry explained. “I reached out to them and said we’re going to create an SSM Health medical facility, only we’re going to call it the Perry Family Free Clinic, and it’ll be free, and we’ll take all of those old things out of your clinic.”
Expressing gratitude to AmeriCorps for their invaluable contributions, Perry highlighted the collaboration with FoodWIse, a UW Extension organization focused on promoting healthy eating practices. The Perry Family Free Dental Clinic intends to combat periodontal disease, emphasizing its connection to chronic inflammation and the risk of stroke and heart attack. Erica Olsen, one of the dental hygienists at the clinic, emphasized the clinic’s goal to educate patients for a healthier life.
Joseph Roy, who has been collaborating with Perry as the director of the Perry Family Free Clinic, and Erica Olsen, one of the dental hygienists, were present at the clinic’s opening. Olsen underscored the critical link between controlled diabetes and periodontal disease, emphasizing the role of chronic inflammation in overall health risks.
Perry acknowledged the collaborative efforts with FoodWIse and plans to utilize the Boys and Girls Club gym space for continued winter activity opportunities. He also expressed gratitude to the Wisconsin Partnership Program for securing grants that made the dental clinic possible.
“Would we have gotten here without their support? I’m not sure. We received a $300,000 community collaboration grant that got us started, and then we were awarded the community impact grant. That really put us over the top,” said Perry. “It gives me great pleasure that now we have medical and behavioral health, and we rounded out with dental care.”
As the clinic commenced immediate patient services over the weekend, Perry expressed optimism about the dental clinic’s positive impact on the community. The clinic, funded by a $300,000 community collaboration grant and a community impact grant, is poised to reshape the healthcare landscape in Fitchburg.
How does one manage conflict in the workplace in the midst of a global pandemic, presidential transition, and overall uncertainty?
Originally Published Feb. 17, 2021
What does conflict resolution look like in a virtual or hybrid workplace if it is no longer possible to meet a colleague by the watercooler or stop by a supervisor’s office to casually run something by them? Regardless of what is going on in the world, conflict will always be constant.
My company, Breakthrough ADR, advises organizations that aspire to have a frictionless workplace. We teach our clients how to listen, negotiate and resolve conflict in a variety of settings.
In the course of that work, we have observed that regardless of the workplace environment, people often act in predictable ways. Our observations have led us to develop five SMART strategies to help your company resolve business conflict in the new year.
Separate the person from the problem
Although your work environment may look different these days, most workplace conflicts consistently have two foundational elements: (1) the people involved in the conflict and (2) the problem those people seek to address. In order to most effectively resolve a conflict, you have to separate (1) from (2). Sometimes the problem itself is simple to resolve, but because of the people involved (including their philosophies, experiences, and personalities) the resolution is not apparent or seemingly out of reach. As you enter the new year, pledge to stop conflating people and problems, and address each separately.
Make a point to understand the underlying interests
The distinction between what a person is saying they want versus why they want something is important to recognize and sometimes reveals that the underlying goals of the parties are more aligned than divergent. Once interests are known, positions often soften, and common ground can be reached.
Accept reality with a “Yes, and…”.
As an improv student at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade, I learned the “Yes, and” technique. Essentially, this approach fosters a sense of cooperation because each improviser is encouraged to listen and be receptive to the ideas of others regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the premise. How this translates to conflict resolution is easy. Saying “Yes, but …” halts a conversation because once you say “but” you negate everything that preceded that word. “Yes, and …” builds communication bridges that you can use to reach an understanding. By substituting one word, choosing “and” instead of “but,” you can open the door to engage in collaborative problem-solving.
Resolve with everyone at the table.
Once the door to resolving the conflict is open, make sure you invite everyone involved in the conflict to the table. It is a waste of time to try to solve a conflict when a key person to the situation is not a part of the conversation. You cannot agree to acts, omissions, or changes in behavior on behalf of someone else—the person in question has to be involved. While I do not advise forcing someone who steadfastly refuses to be involved to the table, creative leaders can set the tone for the organization and properly incentivize all stakeholders to come to the table.
Trust the process.
Effective and durable change requires time, patience, and flexibility. There will likely be challenges when you implement a well-thought-out conflict management plan, particularly if the change of course is significant. Naturally, some participants in the plan may doubt it— e.g., “the plan will work too slowly” or “the plan is never going to work”—but as a leader you need to trust the process and encourage your team to do so. If you have engaged in a quality process where you have followed the prior four strategies, then the plan that you have designed has a high probability for success. Plus, remember that plans are guidelines that can be revisited and adapted as your organization grows and changes.
While conflict is inevitable, business conflict is manageable, preventable, and resolvable utilizing these SMART tips.
‘Basketball Wives’ Alum Gloria Govan Accused Of Fraud In Lawsuit Over Cannabis Company
Former "Basketball Wives" star Gloria Govan and her cannabis company, RLNTLSS Brands, are facing a lawsuit over unpaid bills.
Former Basketball Wives star Gloria Govan and her cannabis company RLNTLSS Brands are facing a legal full-court press.
In newly unveiled court documents, Silver Leaf Events has filed a lawsuit against Govan and her company for unpaid production costs, Radar Online reports. Silver Leaf’s owner Amanda Tingler claims Govan failed to uphold her end of a $15,000 contract.
According to the documents, Tingler met Govan in January 2023 and agreed to work together to produce episodes of a video project for Govan’s cannabis business. Silver Leaf put together a proposal with estimates for the videography and postproduction editing services totaling $15,000.
After both parties agreed to move forward, Govan said she asked for an official contract which Silver Leaf sent over in April 2023.
“[Silver Leaf] worked on the project through the end of April while regularly collaborating with GLORIA GOVAN and getting things ready with the brands and production team for filming,” the suit reads. “[Silver Leaf] filmed the content for the project, as directed by GLORIA GOVAN, on April 19, 2023. That morning, prior to filming, [Silver Leaf] sent GLORIA GOVAN a text message reminding her to sign the contract and to please send payment immediately.”
However, Silver Leaf claims Govan never brought the signed contract or check and proceeded to give them the run around for weeks. After confronting Govan about payment, the former reality star claimed to send a wire as well making promises for payment that never surfaced.
“GLORIA GOVAN messaged [Silver Leaf] back saying that she was going to send money on Zelle for $7500.00 of the amount that was owed for production of the first episode,” the suit reads. “Again, Defendants sent no payment for this amount to [Silver Leaf]. GLORIA GOVAN then stated that she could only send $1,000.00, but she would send more in ‘installments’ as they moved forward with the project.”
However, Silver Leaf claims it has “not received any further payments from the Defendants.” As a result, the company stopped working on the project in May 2023.
“[Silver Leaf] reasonably believes that Defendants manipulated Ms. Tingler and forced them to take on costs related to their business with no intention of paying for the work performed or the production costs,” the suit reads.
Silver Leaf is suing Govan for breach of contract, fraud, intentional misrepresentation, and conspiracy to engage in unfair business practices and demanding $30,000 in damages.
This is the second lawsuit Govan was recently hit with for unpaid bills. She’s also on the hook for $200,000 in a lawsuit filed by her former lawyers who represented her in her divorce from retired NBA player and current podcaster Matt Barnes.
Shaquille O’Neal Gifts Chicago Rapper With A Verse, $1M Rolls-Royce
Shaquille O'Neal appears on Chicago rapper, GAWNE's latest single, "Chaos"
Former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal has been dropping more verses than Jay-Z lately. In the latest collaboration, Shaq Diesel dropped a verse for a Midwest rapper and gifted the recording artist with a $1 million vehicle.
According to Complex, rapper GAWNE was handed the keys to a million-dollar Rolls-Royce after the NBA Hall of Famer dropped a verse on the rapper’s latest single, “Chaos.” The connection took place after Shaq contacted GAWNE through his Instagram account.
GAWNE was seen accepting the keys to the Rolls Royce.
“Shaq man, it’s the craziest day of my life. Shaq just gave me a f**king Rolls. Goddamn, man. Goddamn, God bless you Shaq,” Shaq responded by telling the rapper, “Now I gotta take an Uber.”
Shaquille O’Neal blesses Chicago rapper Gawne with guest verse & $1M custom Rolls-Royce pic.twitter.com/MzTW9Mrasb
The Rolls Royce given to the artist is shown in the “Chaos” video.
Now that Shaq, a full-time commentator on TNT, isn’t returning to his playing days on the basketball court, he seems primed to hit the radio airwaves, after appearing on several songs this year as he resumes his recording career as a rapper.
Shaq Diesel recently lent his vocals, along with Milwaukee Bucks point guard Damian Lillard, on the remix of Rick Ross and Meek Mill’s recent release, “Shaq & Kobe.”
In September, he was labeled the “greatest NBA rapper of all time” by one of the most respected hip-hop artists in the game, Snoop Dogg, after appearing in Coyote’s “3 Locos.” This was another collaboration hooked up via Instagram when Shaq reached out to Ladies Love Guapo and Ricky Blanco. Blanco dropped a freestyle verse, and it caught the attention of Shaq; the announcer followed him, and it started an online relationship that led to Shaq being featured on the “3 Locos” track.
After discussing a possible feature, Guapo said that Shaq was interested, but only if the track was “some hardcore stuff.”
“He was like, as long as it’s some hardcore stuff, I’m down. So we made a hardcore hip-hop ’90s-type song, and we’re like, ‘Bro, let’s send it to Shaq,’ and he got on it, did his thing, he spit like 32 bars. He went off!” Guapo said.
We will, no doubt, be seeing and hearing more from Shaq Diesel in the future.
