Anthem To Add 250 Jobs To Its Downtown St. Louis Office
by Daniel Johnson

December 5, 2023

Anthem To Add 250 Jobs To Its Downtown St. Louis Office

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield recently announced plans to expand its workforce in St. Louis.

Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, a company under the Blue Cross Blue Shield umbrella, has announced plans to expand its workforce in St. Louis. According to The St. Louis American, the company is adding 250 new jobs to its headquarters in the city. According to Value Penguin, Anthem operates in 14 states and offers a better average rate in Missouri than Blue Cross Blue Shield but sits slightly above the state’s average monthly rate. 

According to St. Louis Public Radio, Anthem Missouri President and CEO Stephanie Vojicic announced at a press conference on Nov. 30 that the company wants to be in St. Louis, saying, “We have conversations with our associates very frequently about location and space, and they enjoy being here,” Vojicic said. “We have seen a lot of progress and momentum recently in downtown St. Louis. And we’re really excited to be part of that.”

At the press conference, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones indicated that post-COVID 19, the city needs to be revitalized and hopes that as companies fill the city with office space, it will lead to those employees spending time and money in the city. Downtown St. Louis had been dealing with incidents of gun violence, speeding cars, and other crimes, which made some residents and business owners nervous about the area. Jones said, “We are welcoming people who will patronize our downtown restaurants, walk from their office to the next City SC game or Blues game or whatever they choose, or even purchase a home nearby.”

Anthem will be looking to hire positions ranging from entry-level work starting at $20 an hour to a six-figure salary for pharmacists. Anthem maintains a specialty pharmacy unit at the location, which is where the new employees will work. According to officials, the company plans to fill positions by the second quarter of 2024.

Jason Hall, president and CEO of Greater St. Louis Inc., told First Alert 14 that he sees the downtown investment by Anthem as a good sign for St. Louis. “This area becomes the visual cue to the rest of the world,” he said. “Is this a place on the rise or the decline? We have to have a vibrant urban core. We need more investments downtown and more announcements like this.” 

Angel Reese Reveals Why She Missed Four Games With LSU Tigers
by Stacy Jackson

December 5, 2023

Angel Reese Reveals Why She Missed Four Games With LSU Tigers

Angel Reese shares the real reason why she took a hiatus from her LSU team and addresses rumors surrounding her absence.

Angel Reese’s much-anticipated return had fans excited. The Bayou Barbie recently returned to play with Louisiana State University’s Lady Tigers after missing four games after taking a mental health break.

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, LSU coach Kim Mulkey said Reese’s absence was an “internal team matter that was unnecessary to publicize” and did not disclose further details.

Now, Reese is speaking out on why she was on a hiatus. Reese took a break from playing with the team to focus on her mental health. “My mental health is the most important before anything, and I’m gonna make sure I’m OK before anything because I don’t wanna cause any harm or cancer in the locker room,” Reese said. 

The 2023 NCAA champion expressed the importance of caring for her mental health to avoid negatively affecting the team. “Taking time to yourself is really important,” Reese said. “I feel like it’s just something important, resetting, refocusing within the team. I’m just happy to be back.”

According to the outlet, the Bayou Barbie said she received support from her true friends throughout her hiatus. She acknowledged NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for his consistent support and phone calls “every single day” to make sure she was “good.”

The women’s basketball star said she wants people to see beyond her status as an athlete. “I’m a human, too. I go through things,” she said. 

Reese made a statement addressing rumors and critics who believed she was absent because of her grades or behavior. “Whatever stories that were wrote or written, don’t believe everything you read,” she said. “I’m back, and I’m happy.”

Immediately following Reese’s return to the team, she made a significant impact. According to the outlet, the 6-foot-3 forward returned for the Tigers’ game against Virginia Tech, where she put 19 points on the scoreboard, helping the team win 82-64.

Usher, Las Vegas, residency, final, performance
by Jameelah Mullen

December 5, 2023

Usher Gets Emotional During The Final Performance Of His Vegas Residency

The My Way residency ran for more than two years.

Usher Raymond wrapped up the final concert of his successful residency in Las Vegas. The “I Cry” singer left his emotions on the stage after saying goodbye to his My Way residency, which ran for over two years. 

The moment was captured by a fan and posted on social media. In the moving video, the shirtless heartthrob fell to his knees and covered his face with his hands. He stood up before abruptly turning his back to the audience, surrounded by dancers who cheered him on as he wiped away tears and eventually turned to face the audience.  


“God Bless you, I love you,” he said.

The singer-songwriter took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the successful residency, where he shared a video discussing the possibility of residency in Las Vegas in 2004. 

“If I did decide to go to Las Vegas, it would be the most phenomenal thing you’ve ever seen in your life,” the crooner said at the time. 

According to many fans, Usher delivered on that promise. The show received favorable reviews from concertgoers, with clips from the concert making the rounds on social media of him serenading celebrities, including Mary J. Blige, Taraji P. Henson, Queen Latifah, Janelle Monae, and Kenya Moore. 

The most memorable celebrity serenade was when the crooner invited Keke Palmer onstage. The actress gushed as Usher sang “There Goes My Baby.” Palmer’s former boyfriend expressed his disapproval of the moment in a series of tweets that have since been deleted. 

The My Way residency began in 2021 at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace and moved to the Park MGM in July 2022. The Grammy Award winner performed to sold-out crowds, which led to extending the residency several times. 

If you missed Usher in Vegas, you may be in luck. According to Billboard, the artist’s team is securing venues. Sources told Billboard that the tour is expected to be announced on Super Bowl Sunday.

 So far, Usher’s camp has been tight-lipped on the topic, but this will be the singer’s seventh tour if rumors are true. Usher’s album “Coming Home” will be released on Feb. 1, the same day as his highly anticipated Super Bowl performance.  

Statistics Show Black Consumers Face Disproportionate Risks Of Buy Now, Pay Later 
by Atiya Jordan

December 5, 2023

Statistics Show Black Consumers Face Disproportionate Risks Of Buy Now, Pay Later 

Throughout the holiday season, consumers across all demographics have leaned on buy now, pay later (BNPL) services to make large purchases and manage inflation prices.

On Cyber Monday, Adobe Analytics witnessed a 43% year-on-year increase in BNPL purchases. Among users, Black consumers are more likely to face potential risks.

“The 2023 holiday shopping season began with a lot of uncertainty, as consumers shifted their spending to services while dealing with rising costs across different facets of their lives,” said Vivek Pandya, lead analyst, Adobe Digital Insights, in a press release.

“The record online spending across Cyber Week, however, shows the impact discounts can have on consumer demand, especially with quality products that drove a lot of impulse shopping.” 

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) reported a 63% higher probability for Black consumers to use BNPL platforms than white consumers. The BNPL market is projected to hit $3.98 trillion by 2030; many users are less resilient in the current economic crisis. 

A Lending Club’s Holiday Season report found that 37% of Americans will purchase gifts and other items with personal loans, credit cards, and buy now, pay later this holiday season. This is a 3% rise from 2021. 

Short-term financing loans, such as Klarna, AfterPay, Sezzle, and PayPal’s Pay, often come with appealing interest rates or no interest rates at all. Similarly, BNPL allows customers to agree to make between four and six payments at two-week intervals, offering zero-interest loans. 

According to the CFPB, close to a third of BNPL users have struggled to make the payments, and to avoid defaulting on their plan, they had to skip paying an important bill. As a result, 22% of Americans who have used BNPL have immediately regretted their decision or wished they had not signed up.

However, a late payment has consequences. With 27% of Black households late paying their debts, BNPL may shut users out from using the app or face late fees or a calculated percentage of the outstanding loan.

Studies support that loan stacking is another recipe for potential risk. While BNPL loans do not appear on credit reports, one with multiple BNPL loans might have to deal with a hefty price.

Experts stress the importance of understanding the potential fees, interest rates, and rewards before committing. 

Drake Stars Alongside Son Adonis In New NOCTA X Nike ‘Love You Forever’ AF1 Promo
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 5, 2023

Drake Stars Alongside Son Adonis In New NOCTA X Nike ‘Love You Forever’ AF1 Promo

This release comes less than a month after Drake's NOCTA "Basketball" Collection with Kevin Durant became available

It’s a family affair in the latest Nike promo featuring Canadian superstar Drake. For the latest collaboration with NOCTA X Nike, the talented recording artist appears in an ad campaign with his young son, Adonis.

According to HipHopDx, the pair is featured in a “Love You Forever” Nike Air Force 1 sneaker promotion. The footwear went on sale on Dec. 2 for $160.

The photo shows Drake, aka Aubrey Graham, lacing up a pair of Air Force 1 sneakers while his son sits behind him, getting his hair braided by a young lady.

This release comes less than a month after Drake’s NOCTA “Basketball” Collection became available on the NOCTA website and Nike’s SNKRS app. This promo includes future NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Durant, who uses the Instagram moniker @easymoneysniper. Drake and the Phoenix Suns basketball player both posted an image of Durant vacuuming money up in a room, seemingly in the gear for the collection.

The post was captioned, “EASY MONEY 💰

“NOCTA Basketball, on and off court performance apparel.”

Drake, who just recently ended a national tour but will be embarking on another one in 2024, recently tied a Billboard record with his single, “For All the Dogs.” When the record topped the Billboard 200 chart in October, he set a record for having the most No. 1 songs by a solo male act. He holds that distinction with “The King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, according to Billboard.

Drake’s “First Person Shooter,” which features friend and fellow rapper J. Cole, debuted at No. 1 upon its release. The song became J. Cole’s first No. 1 record but Drake’s 13th time atop the charts.

The album, For All the Dogs, debuted on the Billboard 200 with 402,000 equivalent album units earned from Oct. 6–12 for its opening week, according to Luminate. With that number, Drake’s latest album is one of this year’s top five (No. 4) thus far.

RELATED CONTENT: Drake Signs Letter Calling For Ceasefire In Israel-Hamas War

unemployment benefits
by Rafael Pena

December 5, 2023

Colorado Woman Receives Unemployment Benefits After Months Of Struggle

Lisa Craig endured an agonizing 278 hours on hold while seeking answers about her Colorado unemployment benefits.

According to 11Alive, Lisa Craig, who endured an agonizing 278 hours on hold while seeking answers about her Colorado unemployment benefits, finally received payment in mid-November, more than five months after losing her job.

Craig’s plight gained attention when 9News reported on her situation, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals navigating the state’s unemployment system. After an arduous journey filled with numerous calls to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Craig’s bank account reflected a payment of approximately $10,000—the amount she was owed minus taxes.

“I was just like hallelujah, praise God,” Craig told 9News. “I literally ran through the house doing a dance.”

Her struggle was emblematic of a larger issue affecting individuals caught in the web of the state’s new fraud detection system, leaving many in limbo. Craig emphasized the frustration of being on a “program integrity hold” without a clear understanding of how to address the issue.

“I just don’t know what else to do anymore,” she said in a Nov. 14 interview,..

Having depleted her savings and dipped into her 401(k) to meet financial obligations during the months without unemployment benefits, Craig’s relief upon receiving the payment was palpable. She slept 12 hours on the day the state finally addressed her claim.

CDLE issued a statement in November detailing efforts to enhance the claimants’ experience.

“We anticipate most [program integrity] issues to be cleared within a week of claimants contacting us unless there are risk factors that require additional investigation,” said Philip Spesshardt, director of Colorado’s Division of Unemployment Insurance. He emphasized the agency’s commitment to balancing the need for fraud prevention with minimizing the impact on innocent victims.

As Craig continues her job search in the marketing field, she hopes her experience brings attention to the challenges faced by those navigating the unemployment system and prompts improvements in its efficiency and responsiveness.

RELATED CONTENT: New Data: Black Veterans Denied VA Health Benefits More than White Ones

Charlamagne Tha God Discourages Rappers From Having Entourages
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 5, 2023

Charlamagne Tha God Discourages Rappers From Having Entourages

“Entourages are played out, especially if you have a bunch of people around you who don’t serve no real purpose"

For decades, the hip-hop entourage has always been a thing. Most rappers bring along childhood friends as part of the company they keep, and in some cases, that sometimes leads to trouble. Charlamagne Tha God has a great suggestion that may upset the friends of those recording artists, but it may save and/or enhance some artists’ careers.

TMZ caught up with The Black Effect Podcast Network’s founder on Dec. 1 and discussed what he feels may be the answer to some of these rappers getting into beef because of and/or due to the people they bring around them.

A recent attack on a fan of rapper Nardo Wick made headlines when the recording artist’s entourage allegedly sneak-punched and then jumped on him, knocking him unconscious. The young fan was sent to the hospital, and the video of the seemingly unprovoked attack went viral, placing a spotlight on the people who were around the recording artist.

Charlamagne said, “Entourages are played out, especially if you have a bunch of people around you who don’t serve no real purpose. Because, you know, if those brothers served a real purpose, they wouldn’t be doing something as foolish as that because that’s not security.”

“The way I move, I have real security with me. You know? I have former police officers that are security, and they know how to handle situations. Security’s job isn’t to beat people up. Security’s job is to diffuse things. So, if there is a threat, you recognize the threat…”

Last week, on  Nov. 27, two men allegedly part of Nardo’s entourage were caught on video beating a fan who wanted to take a picture with the recording artist. As he approached the area, one of the men hit him, and as the fan, who has been identified as 20-year-old George Obregon Jr., was stunned by the assault, the other man snuffed him and knocked him to the ground. Obregon suffered several critical injuries, which included a severe concussion and brain bleeding.

Black Lives Matter Organizations Denounce ex-BLM Rhode Island Member Mark Fisher
by Daniel Johnson

December 5, 2023

Black Lives Matter Organizations Denounce ex-BLM Rhode Island Member Mark Fisher

The National Black Lives Matter organization and BLM Rhode Island both publicly distanced themselves from Mark Fisher.

The National Black Lives Matter organization and BLM Rhode Island have both publicly denounced the claims of Mark Fisher, who claimed to be a founder of BLM Rhode Island while endorsing Donald Trump for President during an interview with Fox News.

Providence Journal, Gary Dantzler, the current head of BLM Rhode Island, told The Providence Journal that Fisher was an advocate before “he got fired and demoted.” As for whether Fisher was a co-founder of the organization, Dantzler’s response was, “Absolutely noted.”

However, in the articles of incorporation filed by BLM Rhode Island in 2020, Fisher appears listed as a director despite Dantzler’s claims that he was only an advocate. Furthermore, Fisher posted an updated photo of a group of BLM Rhode Island to his Twitter/X account, and Dantzler is at the far left. By 2022, Fisher had been officially removed from the group. After appearances on the Kim Iversen Show and Fox And Friends,” where both programs referred to Fisher as a BLM leader, Fisher’s alleged association with BLM and BLM Rhode Island got media attention.

On Nov. 29, the Black Lives Matter Rhode Island Political Action Committee, a separate organization from BLM Rhode Island, issued a statement.

“The views expressed by Mr. Fisher in the referenced Fox News segment do not reflect the values or beliefs of BLM RI PAC,” the group said. “We would like to emphasize that Mark Fisher claims association with Black Lives Matter Rhode Island, a nonprofit organization. Any statements or actions attributed to him should not be conflated with our organization.”

The National Black Lives Matter organization released a joint statement with the BLM Rhode Island PAC on Nov. 30, calling Fisher’s claims “a publicity stunt.”

“The right wing continues to use and amplify fringe Black voices to create an idea of broad support for their corrupt candidates. Continuing to call Mark Fisher a Black Lives Matter leader is disingenuous and inappropriate,” the groups said. “Both the founder of BLM Rhode Island and BLM Rhode Island PAC have denounced Mark and have made it clear that he is an imposter.”

Continuing the discrediting of both Trump and Fisher’s claims, BLM Grassroots, which, though not officially affiliated with the National Black Lives Matter organization is a coalition of Black Lives Matter chapters fighting for liberation, also released a statement denying any knowledge of Fisher.

“Furthermore, Black Lives Matter Grassroots does not have a Rhode Island chapter, nor have we ever heard of this person, who some media outlets are presenting as a leader within our organization.”

According to CNN, Trump claimed on his social media platform Truth Social that he spoke with Fisher and was “very honored to have his and BLM’s support.”

Black Lives Matter referred to Trump as a terrorist in a Nov. 29 post to Twitter/ X before ultimately declaring that Trump is not a friend to Black people and emphasizing that the organization does not support Trump in any way, shape, or form.

Quavo, offset, takeoff
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 5, 2023

Quavo Buys Shirt Off The Back Of A Takeoff Fan In Japan

While interacting with some fans in Japan, Quavo peeps a fan with a Takeoff t-shirt and bought it off him, literally

Former Migos member Quavo literally got the shirt off someone’s back while visiting Japan recently.

A year after his family and former group member Takeoff was killed in Houston in a shooting last November, Quavo was interacting with some fans in Tokyo in a video he posted over the weekend. In the clip he posted on his Instagram account, he is seen hanging out with some fans when he spotted one of them wearing a Takeoff tribute shirt with several images of the deceased rapper. The t-shirt caught his attention as he zoned in with his camera phone.

As he diverts his attention toward the man, he says, “Oh, let me see that shirt, boy. Oooh… Yeah, boy, you got that motherf**ker on. Let me see… Ooh, that shirt hard. Where you get this?” As the fan speaks to him in Japanese, he responds, “Let me get one, please. Can I have it?” The fan then asks him in Japanese if the rapper wants the t-shirt. He says in English, “For you? You want?” Then Quavo asks, “You give me?” The man motions to Quavo if he wants the shirt off his back, and he replies, “Hell yeh, I want it, yes!”

He then offers the excited fan some money to pay for the shirt off his back.

“Thank you, bro, thank you. Hold on, what you want? I’ll give you some money for it. I’ll give you some money for it. You like American? Hold on, let me take my camera off ya chest.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by QuavoHuncho (@quavohuncho)

We can assume that Quavo is not hurting for money. In October, the man born Quavious Keyate Marshall took several bites of a “one hundred thousand dollar glizzy,” another name for a hot dog or frankfurter. The “glizzy” reportedly was topped with “some shimmering gold flakes.” Whether it cost $100,000, only Quavo knows.

RELATED CONTENT: Quavo Stands Against Gun Violence in Washington, D.C. After Takeoff’s Untimely Death

Israel
by Derek Major

December 5, 2023

Chicago Black Lives Matter Chapter Demands Refund For US Weapons Sent To Israel

A Chicago chapter of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization has demanded a refund for U.S. weapons sent to Israel amid its war with Hamas.

On Nov. 28, the BLM Chicago chapter reposted a message from the group About Face: Veterans Against the War on X, formerly known as Twitter, showing an American-made shell that was used in Palestine with the message “Paid for by US Dollars,” adding “We want out money back!!!”

After Hamas executed the deadliest attack on Israel in October, the country retaliated with heavy airstrikes, killing more than 13,000 Palestinians in Gaza. President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. would support the Jewish nation during the conflict and pledged to send the country weapons and arms to attack Hamas.

Newsweek reports since November, the Pentagon has ramped up its packages of weapons to Israel, which includes laser-guided missiles,155mm shells, night-vision devices, bunker-buster munitions, and new military vehicles.

According to the outlet, Tamar Missiles were among the initial packages of weapons sent to Israel. They were used as part of a mobile drone Iron Dome system to intercept and destroy incoming air attacks that are detected by radar. 

The BLM organization has faced criticism for its silence during the conflict, as well as a statement from a grassroots BLM organization supporting Palestinians.

“Black Lives Matter Grassroots stands in solidarity with our Palestinian family who are currently resisting 57 years of settler colonialism and apartheid. As Black people continue the fight to end militarism and mass incarcerations in our own communities, let us understand the resistance in Palestine as an attempt to tear down the gates of the world’s biggest open-air prison. As a radical Black organization grounded in abolitionist ideals, we see clear parallels between Black and Palestinian people.”

The Israel-Hamas conflict has divided people across the U.S. as both antisemitism and Islamophobia have led to hate crimes across the U.S.

Late last month, a former Obama administration official was arrested after a video surfaced of him harassing a food vendor in New York City with Islamophobic statements. Last week, three teens were arrested after attacking three Jewish people in separate events in Brooklyn. 

RELATED CONTENT: Israel’s First Black Beauty Queen Condemns’ Black Lives Matter’ For Support Of Palestine

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