Jay-Z, jerseys, roc-a-fella, the black album, 20th, anniversary, Mitchell, Ness

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 6, 2023

Jay-Z to Celebrate 20th Anniversary Of ‘The Black Album’ With Re-Released Roc-A-Fella Jerseys

Jay-Z's "Black Album" is turning 20. To celebrate, Roc-A-Fella is re-releasing the classic jerseys Hova helped to popularize.

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of Jay-Z’s Black Album, Roc-A-Fella will re-release the classic jerseys Hova helped to popularize in the early 2000s.

Roc-A-Fella Records and Mitchell & Ness have teamed up to release a variety of the New York Knicks-styled Shawn Carter jerseys Jay-Z wore for the release of his 2003 album that served as his retirement at the time.

“Originally released in 2003 to celebrate JAY-Z’s career and forthcoming semi-retirement, the Roc-A-Fella Records x Mitchell & Ness Authentic Jersey is now available in its original and re-imagined variation,” the company shared on Instagram.

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Mitchell & Ness shared a few additional posts announcing the limited-edition collection.

“Mitchell & Ness is proud to reintroduce the Authentic Roc-A-Fella Records Jersey in collaboration with rap legend, @JAYZ,” they captioned one post.

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“For its 20th anniversary, we are only releasing 2003 of each style of these iconic New York collector’s pieces. Shop the NY colorway from the limited-edition release now.”

Images showed a model posing for photos in the jersey outside Jay-Z’s hometown in Brooklyn, NY’s Marcy Projects.

“The 20th Anniversary of The Black Album. Immortalize one of the most quintessential albums and artists in history with the reimagined @Rocnation x @JAYZ jersey,” the company captioned a third post.

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The Black Album was released in November 2003 and served as Jay-Z’s retirement announcement. Meant to be Hova’s final rap album at the time, the 14-track LP went on to be regarded as one of the rapper’s best albums.

With classics like “Dirt Off Your Shoulder,” “Change Clothes,” and “Encore,” the album sold 3.5 million copies in the States and became Jay-Z’s sixth consecutive number-one on the Billboard 200. Despite his announced retirement, The Black Album‘ commercial and critical success instead furthered his influence in hip-hop and solidified his status as one of the G.O.A.T.s.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 6, 2023

After Being Shot Multiple Times Last Year, Aaliyah Gayles Plays First USC Game

The former McDonald's All-American was shot at a Las Vegas house party in April 2022

In April 2022, a Las Vegas high school basketball player, Aaliyah Gayles, who was ranked No. 8 in the nation by ESPN at the time, was shot multiple times while attending a house party in North Las Vegas. Last month, nearly two years later, she finally started her collegiate career when she entered the game at the University of Southern California’s victory over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, Nov. 10.

The victory was a good one for USC but an even bigger one for Gayles. The former McDonald’s All-American was a senior at Spring Valley High School, where she averaged 13.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.5 steals, and 3.3 assists when she was shot multiple times, resulting in 18 bullet wounds.

She entered the game with 1:40 left in the game and received a much-deserved standing ovation.

“It felt good,” Gayles said to ESPN. “It boosted my confidence a little bit. I feel like I was back to my old self.”

ESPN reported that Gayles had recommitted to USC before she got shot. After USC basketball coach Mark Trakh retired last year, she rescinded her commitment. But she then recommitted to the Trojans under the current coach, Lindsay Gottlieb.

After going through the process of getting her body back from the trauma and injuries she suffered, she had gotten back to being comfortable enough to pick up the sport she fell in love with. After arriving at USC last year, she took a seat on the bench as she continued to work towards realizing her dream of getting on the court to play for the Trojans.

Before this season started, the comfort level had been elevated.

“I am more, I would say, cautious about the things I do now,” Aaliyah said. “When I’m playing against contact, the way I explode up to the basket, I think about that more than what I used to. I could just explode and score. Now, I wouldn’t say I’m scared, but I think about it more than usual.”

When the season started in November, she was medically cleared and deemed eligible to play. The season started on Nov. 6 in her hometown of Las Vegas against Ohio State. Although she didn’t play, she had the support of her family and friends at that game.

“Her suiting up in a uniform is incredibly important,” Coach Gottlieb said. “Coming out and warming up, it is important to acknowledge. It is not her endpoint.”

Gayles scored her first point on Nov. 28 in a game against Cal Poly that USC won 85-44.

AALIYAH GAYLES’ FIRST CAREER BUCKET!

📺: USC Live Stream pic.twitter.com/eFiYNtRPwi

— USC Women’s Basketball (@USCWBB) November 29, 2023

by Jeff Shuford

December 6, 2023

Is Your Content As Visible As It Can Be? Here’s 4 Ways To Make It Pop

Regardless of your background or educational level, you too can become a more influential blogger, contributor, or contributing writer. Here are a few hacks to increase visibility.

Originally Published Nov. 27, 2018

My professional writing journey started approximately three years ago while attempting to discover ways to increase my impact and influence online. I didn’t earn a degree in journalism like most of my colleagues. I didn’t have connections with publishers and editors, and I generally had no idea how to contribute content and pitch newspaper editors. Fast forward to the present day, I am not only honored to contribute to BlLACK ENTERPRISE (a life-long aspiration), but I am also one of the youngest African American nationally syndicated columnists in the nation. Regardless of your background or educational level, you too can become a more influential blogger, contributor, or contributing writer (and possibly syndicated writer). As an award-winning columnist, I have four rules to increase content visibility that I have developed through writing content for brands such as Forbes, Entrepreneur.com, The Business Journals, and many other global publications. Check out my top four content rules and leave a comment below and share your best tips and tricks to increase content visibility.

Increase Distribution Physically

Newspapers are not dead, they have simply expanded. While contributors and bloggers shy away from writing for physical newspapers, I have expanded my content to them. This has not only helped me make history, but it also brings more eyes to my content. I write for traditionally non-diverse publications, anytime a reader sees an African American writing content in their trusted business publication they investigate online. Sometimes out of curiosity or simple plain amazement. After all, who would imagine that a “young black guy” could write business content for their prestigious online publications? I do, and it plays well into the increase in my online visibility.

Stay Hyperfocused

I try to stay in my lane. My content both in print and online has remained aligned. Google (smaller search engines) and my readers know what to expect when they see a Jeff Shuford article, this also helps when pitching editors. I see too many contributors writing about anything at any time, it not only can confuse a reader but it also doesn’t let a writer’s voice develop through consistent content (Google Searchability is key).

Personal Blogs (For Me) Are A No-Go

I don’t run a personal blog; I believe that it would do a disservice to my print and online publishers. I also don’t send people through a funnel on my personal website; it keeps readers searching for content through search engines and utilizes my website simply for validation and information gathering. When readers stumble upon my personal and business website, they are redirected to my published articles and not to a personal blog section. Simply put, the views are redirected to the individual publication that I contributed the piece to. Major Key Alert: Editors and publishers appreciate the effort to keep readers on their website as opposed to yours!

Becoming Legendary

My goal has always been to be memorable and to build a legacy. Last year I discovered the power of sticking to my content roadmap. Having my content named one of the top articles on LinkedIn Business (No. 3) was a great learning experience. It has also led to more people searching for my content, this helps my editors more than myself due to the fact that I don’t monetize my readers. Publications like the Jacksonville Business Journal and other publications in my network of syndicated partners bring me in to speak at their events, also increasing my digital footprint. I maintain great relationships with newspaper and digital editors throughout the 44 regions that I write for, they teach me a great deal about distribution, networking, and content market strategy. My marketing team emails editors and influencers about my new content (Thanks Celeste Everett & Cher Davis!). I am not saying that this strategy works for everyone but it sure works for me.

National Syndication is Key

It all boils down to distribution points and brand footprint. A Google search of my name (Jeff Shuford) yields a ton of results, all pointing back to me and my content. The newspapers do a great job of generating interest for my name, and with 44 regions with an average readership (of the physical newspapers alone) of 100K (3.6 million readers total), I do very well (and you can too!).

by Stacy Jackson

December 6, 2023

Did Sha’Carri Richardson Snag A $20M, 5-Year Nike Deal?

Sha’Carri Richardson is reportedly set to rake in $20,000,000 with the athletic footwear and apparel corporation.

Sha’Carri Richardson, officially the world’s fastest woman, may be set to rake in $20 million with one of the biggest Nike track and field endorsement deals ever – if the reports are true.

According to Pulse Sports, the 23-Year-old Olympian’s deal could be spread out over five years and the outlet claims Richardson will co-create a signature line that reflects her personal style.

The line is reported to be for women of different shapes and sizes, which would bring inclusivity to the forefront of athletic wear.

Richardson has been known to celebrate women, especially Black women. She once said during a visit at the University of Connecticut, “Black women are the backbone of this country. We are doing so much and given so little credit,” The Daily Campus noted.

The sprinter, who took gold at Budapest in 2023 with a time of 10.65 in the 100 meters, will also have a say in Nike’s development of sprinting gear that enhances an athlete’s performance, the outlet reported.

Mental health advocacy is another part of Richardson’s deal with Nike. According to Equity Atlas, the runner will be featured in campaigns, at events and more to bring awareness to mental health in sports.

Richardson, who lost her mother in 2021, previously opened up about her mental health struggles. Marca reported the Olympian admitted to attempting suicide when she was in high school.

“Not having that bond of my biological mother during the transition of me getting older,” Richardson recalled about the trying time. “I think that’s what really got me. She was supposed to be my world and now that she wasn’t there I usually asked myself ‘Why I’m I here?’ It really took me to a very dark place.”

Details about Richardson’s line have not yet been released. But it will likely include shoes and athletic wear, according to Equity Atlas. If the deal is in the works, it will not have any impact on her eligibility to compete in the Olympics as it would be a product development deal and not payment for her track skills, the outlet also noted.

MC Lyte Wants To Inspire Tech-Savvy Kids As A Celebrity Judge For Black Girls Code’s ‘Build A Beat’ Contest

by Stacy Jackson

December 6, 2023

MC Lyte Wants To Inspire Tech-Savvy Kids As A Celebrity Judge For Black Girls Code’s ‘Build A Beat’ Contest

The rapper and DJ wants girls to have the opportunity to learn how to use technology through the lens of music.

Rapper and DJ MC Lyte partnered up with Black Girls Code as a celebrity judge to encourage kids to make beats by learning to code.

The nationwide ”Build a Beat” challenge by the nonprofit organization and celebrity-judged by MC Lyte, Rock the Bells President James Cuthbert, and others, invites youth to explore technology through the lens of music, AfroTech reported.

Technology has been a constant force in MC Lyte’s career, she said to the outlet.

“Well, every bit of recording for my musical projects were done with the aid of technology,” the hip-hop icon said. “Most of my first album was done using a Tascam Drum machine. We definitely explored new technology with drum machines, programmers, and sequencers. We experimented with echo chambers, modules, and gates. It’s always been exciting to hit the studio and learn about what’s new to tinker with.”

Now she wants to make sure young Black girls have the opportunity to learn how to use technology that is relevant to the music scene, but can be applied in other ways.

“The kids of this generation are bubbling with lots of new ideas. This challenge will awaken the creativity of those who love coding and who are inspired to make music,” MC Lyte told AfroTech.

Black Girls Code CEO Cristina Jones — who is a fan of the rapper and DJ — said about selecting the DJ as a celebrity judge, “Again, what we really wanted to do was when you look across all of the judges is we’re very intentional with who we’re picking.”

Combining music and technology could be a game changer for young girls learning to code.

Jones told AfroTech, “Here at Black Girls Code, we want to meet the girls where they are.”

She added, “When you think about the numbers, we have only 3% of Black women in these tech roles. It’s clear that they’re not seeing themselves in this space. There is not enough representation for them in this space. So we decided that we’re going to start meeting them where they are, and we are going to start showing them that technology is fun and it can be a catalyst in helping them work in areas that they love like gaming, film, sports, and of course music.”

The contestants will code a song using Infosys Foundation USA’s Pathfinders Online Institute and the winner will get a video call from artist Ciara. Contest applications close on Dec. 31.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 6, 2023

‘He Never Paid Me’: Eddie Murphy Claims Richard Pryor Still Owes Him $100K

Richard Pryor might be long gone. But Eddie Murphy is still holding the late comedian to a $100,000 bet he lost.

The year was 1985 and Murphy just released his musical debut album “How Could It Be.” It turns out, his idol and friend in comedy Richard Pryor didn’t think the young rising comic could release an album that didn’t include any jokes.

Pryor was so doubtful that he bet Murphy $100,000 that he wouldn’t release a music album.

“When I told him I was doing a musical album, he bet me $100,000 that I wouldn’t put out a music album where there’s no jokes or nothing, it’s just all music,” Murphy revealed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live”.

“He said, ‘You’ll never do it.’ And I bet him $100,000. And then I did it, and he never paid me.”

One of the dedications Murphy included on the album cover, was one to Pryor that made a nod toward their bet.

“To Richard Pryor, my idol, with whom I have a $100,000 bet. No motherf—–, I didn’t forget.”

Pryor likely felt like he made up for it by co-starring in Murphy’s 1989 comedy classic “Harlem Nights.” The film had a domestic opening of $16,096,808 and went on to earn $95 million at the box office for a film that reportedly cost $30 million to make.

Richard Pryor passed away in December 2005 from a heart attack at age 65. The comedy legend is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most important stand-up comedians of all time.

Murphy has opened up about his first time meeting Pryor on an airplane during his 1980 to 1984 run on “Saturday Night Live.”

“I went over and I gave it. I said, ‘Mr. Pryor, I’m Eddie. Will you listen to my–‘ He said, ‘Oh yeah, I know who you are,'” Murphy recalled.

“He put the cassette in, put on the headphones,” Murphy shared on “The Late Late Show With James Corden”. “I was sitting behind him, watching him listening to my record. That was my first time meeting him.”

Murphy recalled hearing Pryor laughing at his album with his “weird laugh” and when the plane landed, Pryor offered Murphy a ride home.

“He had his driver [meet] him at the airport with his car. He said, ‘Which way are you going?'” Murphy said. “He drove me to the house I was staying at. That’s the way I met my idol, like that.”

RELATED CONTENT: Eddie Murphy Returns As Axel Foley For ‘Beverly Hills Cop: Alex Foley’ Slated For 2024 On Netflix

by Daniel Johnson

December 6, 2023

Remington To Close NY Gun Manufacturing Facility After Sandy Hook Settlement

Last year, families of nine victims reached a $73 million settlement in their lawsuit against Remington.

After a 2022 settlement over its culpability in the shooting deaths of children at Sandy Hook Elementary, RemArms, formerly the Remington Arms Company, will be closing one of its original gun manufacturing facilities, in Ilion, New York.

The families of nine victims reached a $73 million settlement in their lawsuit against Remington, the manufacturer of the rifle responsible for the 2012 incident which claimed the lives of 20 first graders and six educators.

According to The Hill, the company had been dealing with financial issues even before the settlement, declaring bankruptcy twice. The Sandy Hook settlement represents the first time a gun manufacturer was held financially responsible for its role in a mass shooting.

This was possible due to a specific Connecticut trade law, which families of the slain children argued that Remington had skirted while marketing its AR-15 Bushmaster rifle to a high-risk population through marketing campaigns and first-person shooter video games, The Guardian reported.

According to the Rockefeller Institute, Remington had been in a precarious financial position long before the settlement: “Contrary to initial impressions, the company’s financial problems and ultimate dissolution predate, and were mostly unrelated to, Sandy Hook and the lawsuit, but instead to the company’s purchase by a private equity firm, Cerberus, in 2007.”

It was this deal that set into motion the events that led to the company choosing to close its historically significant factory.

In a letter obtained by the Observer-Dispatch, Remington communicated to its employees its intentions to close the factory in March 2024, The Hill reports.

“I am writing to inform you that RemArms, LLC (“the Company”) has decided to close its entire operations at 14 Hoefler Avenue, Ilion, NY 13357 (the “Ilion Facility”),” the letter reads. “The Company expects that operations at the Ilion Facility will conclude on or about March 4, 2024. The Company did not arrive at this decision lightly.”

Curiously, the company revealed to The Hill via an auto-response email that it intends to open a new factory in Georgia, which could mean that the company’s choice to close the factory could also be motivated by a recently passed law in New York that allows for individuals to file lawsuits against firearms manufacturers that “knowingly or recklessly” market and distribute products that have the effect of posing a danger to public health or safety.

Lawyers representing the interests of gun manufacturers attempted to argue against the law in November to the Second Court of Appeals, Gothamist reports. New York’s law is the first of its kind in the country, as it allows individuals to sue gun manufacturers directly for contributions to gun violence, which includes mass shooting events.

The United Mine Workers of America International President Cecil Roberts said in a press release responding to the closure of the New York factory, “We urge RemArms LLC to reconsider this decision and explore alternative solutions that would allow the Ilion plant to remain operational. The extensive cleanup for abandoning this plant could potentially cost the town of Ilion and the state of New York a massive amount of money.” Roberts continued, “As the affected workers and their families face an uncertain future, the UMWA rallies behind them, offering support and solidarity.”

stolen gifts, Hudson, shana, lee county, fishing poles, clothes

by Rafael Pena

December 6, 2023

Christmas Hoax: Mother Of Five Arrested For False Claims Of Stolen Gifts

Shana Hudson finds herself facing legal consequences after being arrested on charges of making a false report on stolen gifts.

Shana Hudson, a 39-year-old resident of Lehigh Acres, Florida, is facing legal consequences after the Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested her on charges of making a false report, according to NBC2. Hudson claimed on Nov. 20 that her home was broken into, and all the Christmas gifts she purchased for her children were stolen.

The incident unfolded in November when Hudson, in an interview with NBC2, narrated the alleged break-in. She stated that someone had entered her residence through a back window, taking away Christmas gifts she had bought for her five children, including fishing poles, clothes, and other items intended to bring joy to their holiday season.

“Eight fishing pools, they took some clothes, ’cause I bought clothes for my five kids,” Hudson lamented during the interview. “I wanted my kids to have a pretty much decent Christmas. But now they ain’t going to have Christmas at all; some thief came and stole our s***.”

Hudson, emotional and pleading, urged the alleged thief to return the items, saying, “Turn yourself in and bring us back our stuff so me and my kids can have a good Christmas.”

However, the narrative took a sharp turn when an anonymous tipster contacted SWFL Crime Stoppers, claiming that Hudson had not been truthful and that the gifts were stored at a family member’s residence. Acting on the tip, deputies investigated on Monday evening and discovered a cache of gifts matching the reported stolen items.

The supposedly stolen items were found at a relative’s home. TVs were carefully concealed under bed sheets, fishing poles were strategically placed among piles of clothes, and a basket was filled with Bath and Body Works products. Lee County deputies meticulously compared the recovered items with the list of reported stolen goods, marking off nearly every single one.

As a result of the investigation, Hudson faces charges of making a false police report. NBC2 captured the moment deputies led her to jail; she declined to answer any questions.

The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of filing false reports, highlighting the importance of honesty in criminal investigations.

taraji, Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, 75k, 500k, offered, the color purple, Taraji P. Henson

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 6, 2023

Taraji P. Henson Was Offered A Meager $75K For Oscar-Nominated Performance In ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’

Taraji P. Henson is reflecting back on the lowball offer she received for "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

Taraji P. Henson reflected on her Oscar-nominated role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, a movie for which she received a lowball salary offer.

Ahead of her performance in The Color Purple musical that’s already receiving Oscar buzz, Henson recalled the 2008 movie that earned the actress her first, and thus far only, Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress: starring alongside Brad Pitt in 2008’s The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

Henson, who was continuing her climb in Hollywood after breakout performances in Baby Boy and Hustle & Flow, came with a salary request of $500,000 when agreeing to take on the role of Queenie. Despite her success, she received a drastically lower offer instead.

“I wasn’t even being greedy,” Henson shared on CBS Sunday Morning. “I knew that I was up and coming, but surely I know that I can make you $500,000 with my fanbase.”

Not only did Henson not receive the amount she asked for, she was offered over $400,000 less than what she requested.

“I was offered [$75,000],” she revealed. “And then we fought and fought until we got [$150,000].”

While her salary was nowhere near what she requested, Henson’s performance earned her a coveted Oscar nomination and set the stage for continued success in films like Hidden Figures, Empire, and What Men Want.

Now, she’s set to amaze audiences with her portrayal of Shug Avery in Winfrey’s musical rendition of the 1985 Oscar-winning drama. There’s growing chatter about this movie’s Oscar-worthy results. With Henson, Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, and Colman Domingo all in the cast, there’s a strong possibility that someone could walk away with an Academy Award, as may the film itself.

Good burger, Kel Mitchell and Kenan Thompson, paramount, ed, dexter,

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 6, 2023

Kenan Thompson Reveals ‘Falling Out’ With Co-Star Kel Mitchell

The "Saturday Night Live" star discusses not speaking to his friend for years before the two reconnected

“All That” castmates and “Kenan & Kel” co-stars Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell have reunited to reprise their roles of Dexter and Ed for the sequel to the 1997 comedy “Good Burger.” Thompson, the longest-running cast member in “Saturday Night Live” history, revealed that he and his co-star had a falling out over the years, but now they are just fine.

In an interview with “Today,” Thompson, whose new book, “When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown,” was released Dec. 5, spoke about the rift he and Mitchell had over the years.

He said it wasn’t any particular thing or a big disagreement between them.

“It was more of a separation that kind of grew into the traditional terms of what a falling out is, which is like not a lot of communication,” Thompson said.

“Originally, it was just us kind of looking for our own individualism, basically, as adults, taking a breather from being a duo because we both came into the game as individuals,” he continued. “And we were placed together because we worked so well together and all that. It was just a journey of being adults. Time passes and more time passes and it just became ridiculous.”

After they finally got back in touch with each other, it was as if they had never stopped talking.

“When you have a real friendship, it was five minutes into the phone call, we were back,” Thompson said. “It was like, what were we waiting on all this time? You just never really know until you actually have that talk.”

Mitchell and Thompson played the characters popularized in the 1990s on Nickelodeon’s hit comedy sketch series “All That.” Their latest collaboration, “Good Burger 2,” is currently playing on Paramount +. The original movie, “Good Burger,” was released in theaters on July 25, 1997.