school, AP African American Studies, education, class

by Daniel Johnson

December 24, 2024

LA County Teenager Alleges They Were Beaten, Called Racial Slurs Before Stabbing Attempt

The teenager's mother also believes that the school's inaction regarding what happened to her son is what led to the stabbing incident on Dec. 9

A 14-year-old Black teenager is taking legal action after he was allegedly attacked and called racial slurs for months by schoolmates at Verdugo Hills High School before being arrested following a stabbing incident at the school earlier in December.

According to CBS News, the student’s attorney, Brad Gage, shared a video of the teenager being assaulted in a bathroom in late August. Following that incident, school officials met with his mother.

“Make no mistake about it, this is a case of racism. It’s the school’s failure to act properly in August and September that led to a stabbing in December,” Gage told the outlet.

The teen’s mother said that what bothered her the most was the school pretending that nothing happened to her son.

“They don’t care,” she told CBS News. “They didn’t do nothing to the other kid, and that’s what I’m most upset about. They just sat there and did nothing.”

She continued, “The school wanted to force my child out right after the incident of him being jumped in the bathroom. They wanted him to leave the school without giving any disciplinary action towards the students who caused the problem itself. They didn’t do anything, so I said no. My son is going to stay here, he’s doing well.”

The teenager’s mother also believes that the school’s inaction regarding what happened to her son is what led to the stabbing incident on Dec. 9.

As a result of what happened to her son, she is fearful of allowing him to return to the school, even after the legal situation is resolved.

“My son is a good, smart kid,” she said. “My son was in a situation where he could’ve been killed. I still feel like he can be killed because he can’t come back over here because of everything that’s been going on.”

According to his lawyers, there are very few Black students who attend Verdugo Hills, and nearly from the first day of classes, their client was targeted by several Latinx students who called him racial slurs, attacked him, and threatened to stab him.

Gage recounted the events to CBS News, “At some point, others that are part of the group or gang; they come and chase our client with a big butcher knife — trying to kill him.”

Gage indicated that his client was just trying to defend himself when two of his attackers ended up being stabbed and suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result of his actions, the teen was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, per the Los Angeles Police Department.

Gage filed a government claim, which must be filed ahead of a lawsuit, against Verdugo Hills High School and the school district for failing to protect the teenager from the harm that came his way on Dec. 9.

In 2023, David Malakai Allen chronicled his own experience with racist harassment and hostility across the country at the Newark School of Global Studies.

Like the incident at Verdugo Hills High School, as Allen wrote for Chalkbeat, nothing happened when incidents of racism were brought to the school’s administration.

“This wasn’t the first time Black students at Global Studies had been subject to harassment and abuse. Reports, both written and verbal, had been filed, but nothing seemed to change. And this time around was no different,” Allen recalled.

He continued, “In January of this year, the Newark Board of Education commissioned a review of the racial and cultural climate at Global Studies. While the report has not been publicly released, some of its recommendations have been. According to the report, the Newark district must look at how ‘anti-Blackness and other deficit beliefs’ impact its schools. It also calls for Newark Public Schools to create spaces for difficult conversations about race and help school staff identify and fill “cultural gaps” in their practices. While this is hardly a solution, I hope that it results in a safer and more inclusive environment for everyone.”

Shreveport Apartment Complex Announces $38M Renovations, Louisiana Leaders Praise Investment

by Daniel Johnson

December 24, 2024

Shreveport Apartment Complex Announces $38M Renovations, Louisiana Leaders Praise Investment

Several Shreveport leaders posed for photos on Dec. 18 in celebration of the planned renovations at the 55-year-old apartment complex.

After Shreveport’s Lakeside Gardens apartment complex, the brainchild of Rev. Amos Terrell in 1969, announced $38.1 million in renovations, Louisiana political figures celebrated the much-needed investment into Shreveport’s Black community.

According to the Shreveport Times, several Shreveport leaders posed for photos on Dec. 18 to celebrate the planned renovations at the 55-year-old apartment complex.

Louisiana State Sen. Sam Jenkins praised the investment, telling the outlet, “This is a welcome change. I am extremely pleased that we are continuing to invest in the urban core, the inner-city areas. We know this is an area that won’t be abandoned. Families will live here, be safe and have a nice environment.”

Jasmine Winston-Wilson, a developer, was more frank about the necessity of the renovations.

“Given the age of the property and lack of upgrades, it was becoming increasingly difficult to provide quality affordable housing,” Winston-Wilson said. “Without these renovations, Lakeside Gardens would cease to exist. These renovations allow us to continue to serve generations to come.”

During the renovations, 22 units will be added to the complex, bringing the total number of units on the property to 110.

Recently, the city has experienced a rash of fires at abandoned apartment complexes, a fate that the investment will help Lakeside Gardens avoid.

According to KEEL, several apartment complexes in Shreveport are scheduled for demolition by Shreveport Property Standards due to failure to meet standards for continued occupancy by residents.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arcenaux told KTAL News that these fires are a byproduct of landlords not caring for their property properly.

“The security for private property lies with private property owners. We are continuing to patrol, but when you have abandoned structures, sometimes you have problems with this. And we are trying to provide as much security as we can, but we don’t provide 24-hour security for apartment complexes,” Arcenaux said.

Arcenaux continued, briefly discussing the improbability that fining the landlords would fix the problem.

“[They’re] behind on mortgages. So collecting fines is really very, very doubtful. Most of this is at the city’s expense. And we have to keep in mind that we have other properties standards enforcement that we have to undertake. So, at some point, we have to engage in some triage.”

According to Vox, one way to avoid situations like Shreveport’s dilapidated apartment complexes could be social housing programs similar to those in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Massachusetts State Rep. Mike Connolly told Vox that the Montgomery County program inspired his own state’s housing bond bill that sponsored a social housing pilot plan.

“We got a lot of enthusiasm and support around us now doing the work of mapping out what these initial projects will look like. It could result in perhaps one or two local, mixed-income social housing-type projects in the coming years,” Connolly said. “If we can develop something and build it, people can see it, and then we can point to it and look to expand it. And, of course, Montgomery County, Maryland, has been the contemporary national leader here.”

According to Chelsea Andrews, the executive director of Montgomery County’s Housing Opportunities Commission, the HOC’s blend of public housing authority, housing finance agency, and public developer allows it to aggressively subsidize housing.

“We have these three different components that ultimately work together to help us really advance a very aggressive development strategy that we have deployed over 50 years. Mixed income accomplishes so many goals. It allows housing authorities to ensure that they are creating inclusive communities. It takes away the concentration of poverty.”

Film Director Stacey Muhammad Talks Alex Cross, Artistic Independence And Network

by Kandiss Edwards

December 24, 2024

Film Director Stacey Muhammad Talks Alex Cross, Artistic Independence And Network

Stacey Muhammad talks weaving through the film industry 'with ease and without desperation.'

Stacey Muhammad, fresh off directing the wildly successful Prime series Cross, spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE about being a lifelong creative, independent filmmaker and director.

The Queen Sugar director studied dance before falling in love with the film. She’s adeptly woven through a 15-year independent filmmaking and producing career and has since made her mark in episodic directing.

Muhammad’s life experiences are tied to her success. Her history as a dancer informs her directorial style, as she “loves a moving camera.” Muhammad spent many years in the Nation of Islam, which informs her “do for self” independent streak. Her identity as a Black woman from New Orleans “deeply” shapes her direction. Muhammad spoke on her journey and dropped a few gems along the way.

Tell readers a little bit about yourself and how you got your start in the industry.

[In the] early 2000s, I started taking just about every workshop you could possibly imagine about filmmaking. I spent about 15 years as an indie filmmaker and in 2013, I created a web series called For Colored Boys and it did incredibly well.

What led to you building your own table as an independent filmmaker?

I knew very early on that I was not interested in knocking on doors. I spent time in the Nation of Islam, and other community organizations, so I always had a do-for-self mentality and I also wanted to tell a certain type of story. All my mentors and people I respected took the route of self-sufficiency.

How do you remain authentic to the Black experience and still make your work uniquely yours?

I am not thinking about whiteness. Filmmaking for me is an extension of community work, to support Black people being in spaces where they can be themselves.

You directed episodes 5 and 6 of Cross, both were turning points in the show. When the foundation of the show has already been set, how do you jump in and still maintain your unique vision?

People have a tendency to view episodic directing as restrictive. I just don’t see it that way.I haven’t been on the show where I haven’t been “allowed” to do what I want to do.

The cinematic language is broad.”With Cross, Ben Watkins and his team are incredibly collaborative. They supported the risks I wanted to take.”

I have to ask about Aldis Hodge. He’s been in the business for a long time, but is only now receiving his flowers. What were the challenges or highlights in working with him?

He has a beautiful spirit and is absolutely collaborative. His masculinity comes with a tenderness. This opportunity is something that he’s been waiting for, wanting, and deserving of for quite some time. And that is a perfect recipe to get really good work done.

Directing is about making small adjustments and helping your actors see more colors and other routes available to them. He took the notes and did that beautifully.

On The Record is your music docuseries. What made you want to highlight New Orleans’ music scene?

When people think about New Orleans, they think about jazz. They think about the brass band. There’s a community of diverse artists here that make a broad range of music.

Can you talk about Black In The Holyland?

It will be Marc Lamont Hill’s directorial debut. Its about the plight of Black people in Palestine. It will spark a much needed dialogue and shine a lens on what it’s like to be Black in that region.

Is there any advice you would like to share with the Black women that want to get into film, directing, or even those who are struggling their way through?

Do your work.

The relationship that I had with Malcolm D. Lee started in 2013 when I did For Colored Boys. He had an invested interest in me as a creative. He introduced my work to Tracy Oliver. Now, I’ve directed multiple episodes of Harlem and First Wives Club for Tracy Oliver.

I made relationships in my indie filmmaking world when I wasn’t making the money.

So, do your work. Have a sense of agency. You’ll get exactly where you wanna get to, but you wanna get there with ease and without desperation.

Any other upcoming projects?

I have a feature film, The Return, that’s in development with Malcolm D. Lee’s company. It’s a horror feature film that we will shoot here in New Orleans.

66% Of Black Workers More Likely To Build Their Professional Network Online —Tips To Do That During The Holidays

by Jeffrey McKinney

December 24, 2024

66% Of Black Workers More Likely To Build Their Professional Network Online —Tips To Do That During The Holidays

Holiday social season can be an ideal period to start building a trusted network and authentic contacts for job opportunities.

Parties, get-togethers, and other events are the norm in the holiday social season.

For Black professionals, it also is a good stretch to job hunt to help build a successful career.

New data from LinkedIn shows that the weekly growth in employment connection requests sent in January was higher than in any other month of the year. The professional networking site reports that connection requests surged by as much as 24% week over week in January.

Hence, the holiday social season is optimal for professionals to build a trusted network and authentic contacts to support job opportunities in the upcoming year.

Fresh LinkedIn data shows that 66% of Black professionals are most likely to grow their professional network online. Yet, the social platform reports that trust plays a crucial role, with nearly 50% wanting verifiable information about them and their company before connecting.

Research also shows several other potential benefits of beginning your job search during the holidays, including less competition, more social and business functions to meet other professionals, and the possibility of securing a salary if you land a job before the new year begins.

LinkedIn Career Expert Andrew McCaskill affirmed the holidays are an excellent networking season. “You’re catching up with friends, meeting new people at gatherings, and reconnecting with old colleagues. It’s the perfect time to plant seeds for your career goals in the new year. By building your network now, you’ll be ready to hit the ground running when everyone starts making moves.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE emailed McCaskill to discuss how Black workers can build practical and reliable networks to assist with career prosperity in 2025.

What trends are you seeing among Black professionals tied to networking and job searching?

They are embracing the power of online networking like never before. LinkedIn’s verification badges can make building meaningful, trusted connections easier. The badges mean that a member could confirm elements of their profile, like identity, workplace, or educational institution.

How can online networking make the job search easier and help me better find the position I want?

Online networking takes the guesswork out of finding opportunities. On LinkedIn, tools like the “Grow” tab recommend connections that align with your goals, helping you meet the right people without the awkwardness of cold emails. Turning on the #OpenToWork feature can double your chances of hearing from recruiters. Creating a post to let your network know what you’re looking for can spark connections, job referrals, and even direct outreach from hiring managers or professionals who can help you move forward in your job search.

What is the best time to follow up with new connections after meeting them at holiday events?

Following up doesn’t have to be a chore. Start by personalizing your message—mention where you met or a detail from your conversation. LinkedIn Premium’s AI-powered messaging feature can help you craft thoughtful follow-ups if you’re stuck. The “Catch Up” tab in the My Network section provides timely prompts, like when a connection gets a new job or celebrates a work anniversary. These are ways to keep the conversation going and build relationships over time.

What other networking tips would you give to Black professionals looking to elevate their careers next year?

Network with intention by starting with people you already know—friends, family, and colleagues—and following people you want to learn from. This will allow you to access valuable content, insights, and advice from thought leaders and professionals you admire, helping you stay informed and grow your career.

Be consistent, and don’t just show up when you need something. Engage regularly by commenting on posts, sharing updates, and congratulating others on their milestones. Use networking tools like the “Grow” tab to find connections tailored to your career goals. Also, remember the QR code feature to connect instantly with people you meet in person.

Further, you can gain more networking insights here.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 23, 2024

21 Savage ‘Leads By Example’ With 6th Annual Holiday Toy Drive In Metro Atlanta, Granted Official Day By Local Leaders

The rapper received 2 community action awards for his ongoing efforts to help his hometown.

Rap artist 21 Savage hosted his sixth annual Holiday Toy Drive through his Leading by Example Foundation. He received his own gift as he gave back to Atlanta’s youth.

The event occurred at The Porter Sanford III Performing Arts & Community Center on Dec. 21. Over 1,000 participating families took home more than 3,000 items, including clothes, toys, and food. The foundation shared a recap of the holiday event.

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A post shared by Leading By Example (@lbefoundation)

“From the hustle behind the scenes to the magic of the big day, every step was fueled by love and purpose,” the nonprofit’s team captioned the post. “Grateful for the incredible team and community who made our 6th annual Holiday Drive unforgettable. Together, we made a difference!”

Its sixth iteration also granted a gift back to the Grammy-winning rapper. While attending the charitable occasion, Congressman Hank Johnson and his wife, Dekalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, presented 21 with his official day. Alongside proclaiming the 21 Savage Leading By Example Day in the county, they also bestowed the Atlanta native with two community action awards, as stated in a press release obtained by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

His nonprofit organization, Leading By Example, has continued to give back to the community since its establishment in 2018. Its mission extends to offering the city’s youth financial literacy skills and education. It also supports families during critical times such as the holidays and back-to-school drives.

Before the holiday toy drive, 21 Savage hosted the “issa back-to-school” drive to help underserved families with school supplies. For this year’s initiative, he partnered with organizations such as the National Coalition of 100 Black Women and Wealthy Habits to create the Leading By Example Social Impact Village, also sponsored by Amazon Access.

With the Wealthy Habits, 21 Savage expanded his reach to the community on the importance of money management. He released a free “Master Your Money” toolkit to guide readers toward financial success.

21 Savage has become a Santa in his way, providing holiday cheer and financial guidance to his hometown. Now, the rapper has an official holiday in the county and state of Georgia to honor his efforts every year.

mayweather diddy, abuse, assault, allegations

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2024

Floyd Mayweather Donates $1M To United Hatzalah Of Israel

With his million-dollar donation, the retired boxer helped raise $14 million to support the work that the organization does in Israel.

Undefeated retired boxer Floyd Mayweather recently donated $1 million to United Hatzalah of Israel in Miami on Thursday, Dec. 19.

According to the Jewish News Syndicate, Mayweather’s million-dollar donation helped raise $14 million to support United Hatzalah’s work in Israel. More than 1,700 people attended the sold-out event at the organization’s annual Miami Gala.

“You are all fighters. I am a former fighter, but we keep fighting every day,” Mayweather told the audience.

The philanthropist is no stranger to the organization. He received United Hatzalah’s Champion of Israel award for supporting the Jewish state and was recognized for aiding the organization during the Swords of Iron War. Two months ago, Mayweather contributed to the cause by donating 100 bulletproof helmets and vests to protect the organization’s volunteers.

He directly addressed United Hatzalah of Israel Founder Eli Beer, “Eli, you and United Hatzalah are doing such a great job. I will be here until the casket drops, supporting you and standing behind you as long as there are people who need your help.”

The generous entrepreneur didn’t stop there. He also gave another philanthropist, Dr. Miriam Adelson, a longtime United Hatzalah supporter, a diamond necklace in the shape of the organization’s logo.

Mayweather launched the Mayweather Israel Initiative on Dec. 8. The initiative will benefit Israeli orphans celebrating their birthdays over the next year. He announced the program on his social media account. A mobile van will distribute birthday gifts throughout the region.

The Jerusalem Post reported that Mayweather announced the initiative while attending a Standing Together event in Israel. In his post, the philanthropist acknowledged the founder of Standing Together, Chessed V’Rachamim. The organization supports initiatives and has been instrumental in purchasing washing machines for the Israel Defense Forces at their bases and sending widows and orphans on dream vacations.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2024

Damon Dash Sued Again After Being Accused Of Hiding Assets

Author Edwyna Brooks claims Dash owes her close to $100,000 with interest.

An author who won a copyright infringement case against the embattled Harlem native has accused former Roc-A-Fella Records owner Damon Dash of infringement.

According to The New York Post, Dash has yet to fulfill his financial obligation to Edwyna Brooks, who won her case against him in 2020. In a recent lawsuit, she accuses Dash of hiding his money to avoid paying her what she is owed from a previous lawsuit.

Brooks won a $300,000 copyright infringement case against Dash in 2020. In the original copyright lawsuit, Brooks said that Dash marketed and sold a film project based on one of her characters, a female crime boss from a book series she wrote, “Mafietta.” He then countersued but eventually lost that case as well. After last month’s auction did not provide enough capital for her to be compensated, she filed a new lawsuit against him in Manhattan federal court.

Dash and his girlfriend, Rachel Horn, “[comingled] and [used] their companies as one entity and attempt to use the entities in an elaborate liability shifting scheme to avoid judgment debtors on behalf of themselves and their entities,” the lawsuit states.

Her attorney, Chris Brown, claims Dash owes Brooks nearly $100,000 in interest.

The recent lawsuit alleges that Dash and his company, Poppington LLC, tried to hide his assets by moving them to a company not named in the suit.

“Mr. Dash has about $10 million in personal debt,” Brown told the media outlet. “If we would have been made whole from the auction, this lawsuit would not be necessary.”

“Poppington began fraudulently conveying Poppington assets” to a new entity, The Dash Group, “to avoid Brooks’ judgment.”

The lawsuit alleges that Dash has the money, but by placing the assets into TDG, he is skirting Poppington’s responsibility to pay the judgment.

“There is no doubt that Poppington and TDG are related entities and engaged in a defacto merger,” the suit states. “The assets of Poppington were fraudulently conveyed to TDG in order to hide them from Brooks and future judgment creditors.”

In November, the State of New York won an auction of Dash’s share in Roc-A-Fella Records. For $1 million, the state purchased the stake to recover some of the $8.7 million Dash owes to his debtors. However, due to the low amount, which was once expected to fetch $10 million, Dash is still heavily in debt.

Lil. Babby, gambling, 9 million, 40 hours

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 23, 2024

Lil Baby Admits Blowing Nearly $9M Gambling ’40 Hours Straight’

'I made myself stop gambling'

Hip-hop recording artist Lil Baby recently acknowledged that he was such a gambling addict that he lost up to $9 million in less than two days due to his admitted addiction.

In a recent episode of Lil Yachty’s A Safe Place Podcast, he said he gambled for 40 hours and lost between $8 and $9 million. He felt it got so bad that he called Mike Rubin (Philadelphia 76ers and Fanatics owner) to contact every casino to have him banned.

After Yachty asked the “Drip Too Hard” rapper what the most money he had lost was, Baby responded, “Eight million dollars.” Lil Baby replied. “One day, probably like 40 hours. Forty hours straight, I lost, like, $8 million, $9 million. I made myself stop gambling. I had [Fanatics founder] Mike Rubin write a letter to every casino and ban me from the casino ’cause I just do sh**. I don’t gamble no more.”

Baby’s admission led to another popular rapper responding in his typical trolling fashion. 50 Cent posted the video clip on his social media account and referenced former friend and sometimes adversary Floyd “Money” Mayweather.

“😆Nah these young 🥷🏾crazy 8 million Gambling. 😏I thought only Floyd do sh*t like that. LOL, come out of the joint looking distraught. I’m just glad he didn’t kill no body. @bransoncognac @Lecheminduroi“

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A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

The Atlanta rapper also mentioned, according to Uproxx, that he has a project that will be released at the top of 2025. The album’s name is WHAM (Who Hard As Me), and it will hit the streets on Jan. 3, 2025. He has several featured and popular artists on it, including the just recently released Young Thug, Future, 21 Savage, GloRilla, Rod Wave, and Travis Scott.

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Tennessee House, Bill, Teachers Carry Guns

by Daniel Johnson

December 23, 2024

Study: Young Black Males Feel They Need To Carry Guns For Safety

To the participants, carrying a gun was a logical and necessary conclusion to their calculus of survival.

A new study recently published in the Delaware Journal of Public Health provides a candid look into the perception of young Black males in Houston, Baltimore, Jackson, Mississippi, and Wilmington, Delaware, locations often associated with violence.

According to WHYY, researchers at Texas Southern University, Delaware State University, Coppin State University, Jackson State University, and Thurgood Marshall University conducted the study among Black males between 15 and 24 who either recently owned or currently own firearms.

Their study, which is titled “Understanding The Perception of Place and Its Impact on Community Violence,” depicts that many of the Black males who participated felt they needed a firearm for protection after they witnessed or experienced gun violence in their neighborhoods.

These events often led the participants to describe their cities in a negative light, most often using the terms “murder town,” “treacherous,” “crazy,” “chaotic,” and “war zone” to describe their respective cities.

The respondents also described an early introduction to gun violence, some as young as 10 years of age, and many of them had guns introduced to them by family members.

Their decisions to carry a gun, though shaped by social media pressures, limited economic opportunity, limited role models, and easy access to firearms in their communities, were not made lightly nor in a vacuum.

To the participants, carrying a gun was a logical and necessary conclusion to their calculus of survival.

In Wilmington, the research’s findings remind Armani Coleman, the vice president of Operations at One Village Alliance, a nonprofit organization that aims to give the city’s youth an alternative to street life.

According to Coleman, the responses echo his own life experiences.

“I’ve had friends that were murdered moments after we got off the school bus at the age of 11 and 12 years old,” Coleman recalled to WHYY News.

Timothy Welbeck, the director of Temple University’s Center for Anti-Racism, indicated to the outlet that although the perceptions of the Black males who participated in the study are grounded in lived experience, targeted intervention, such as that provided by One Village Alliance, is necessary.

“It (the study) does read as bleak,” Welbeck said. “There is much work to be done…to help not only to mitigate these factors but to bring hope.”

According to One Village Alliance Director Chandra Pitts, the study does not consider ongoing work to address systemic factors in cities like Wilmington.

“It’s egregiously biased against our children,” Pitts said.

She also noted that systemic inequities have pushed young people into survival mode before alluding that state and local entities must invest in Black youth and their communities if they want to see change.

“We’re in a government system that’s investing greatly in the health, safety, and wellness of parts of the city…and turning their back on entire communities,” Pitts noted.

Pitts’ comments and the study itself, which was funded by the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research, underscore the complexity of community gun violence and the ongoing work in various communities to help address it.

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet, but as Marc Morial, the president and CEO of the National Urban League, told Vox, addressing the quality of life in Black communities is a vital piece of the puzzle.

“Quality of life in Black and brown and urban communities is a paramount issue. A community that feels victimized on the one hand by the police and on the other by crime and crooks is a tough community to live in,” Morial said.

Joey Bada$$ Reflects On Inaugural Mentorship Program For Men Of Color Ahead Of New York City Celebration

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 23, 2024

Joey Bada$$ Reflects On Inaugural Mentorship Program For Men Of Color Ahead Of New York City Celebration

Joey hopes that his vision of building a network to uplift men of color expands to future generations.

Joey Bada$$ reflects on the inaugural year of his Impact MENtorship program for men of color, inviting its participants to New York City to celebrate the accomplishment.

With mentors, mentees, and loved ones in tow, the Brooklyn, New York, native toasted to a successful first year of his program. The celebratory dinner took place at Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s exclusive restaurant, Tatiana, in partnership with Tres Generaciones Tequila. In September, the iconic tequila brand also granted Joey an Impact Award At Billboard’s 2024 R&B / Hip-Hop Power Player Event.

Launched in October 2023, Impact MENtorship connects men of color to established professionals in their respective fields to obtain guidance and knowledge for future success. The rapper spearheaded the initiative after taking inspiration from Unlock Her Potential’s mentorship program for women. Now, Joey hopes to further the program’s reach among young men while exhibiting the power of mentorship.

Ahead of the festivities, Bada$$ spoke to BLACK ENTERPRISE about this remarkable year and what lies ahead for the trailblazing artist.

“It’s been an incredible inaugural year, to say the least,” shared Joey. “I mean, literally, like all of the right things have happened. Starting this program has opened up so many doors and even just pathways in my brain, you know what I mean? Like, I didn’t think I’d be doing this at 29 going into my 30s.”

Joey enlisted his expansive network of artists and respected professionals, from fellow rapper Cordae to NFL star Stefon Diggs, to join in on his mission. Of the collaboration, Joey expressed his gratitude to the game-changers in his life.

Joey Badass — Photo courtesy of Cashmere Agency.

He added, “You know, starting this program, it was like, kind of the first time that I’ve ever reached out to my network of people who I’ve known over the years, people who I’ve built relationships with. And I think it was a very reassuring thing to see how much trust my community and my network has in me… It’s been dope, to say the least, but for me, the best thing that we’re doing is the impact we’re making on the lives of various men of color.”

According to Joey, the key to being a great mentor is being present and learning from another person’s experience. His mentee, an aspiring artist from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was able to use Joey’s guidance and wisdom as he began his own career.

“I think just being present, you know. Just dedicating that time and energy to someone else and their journey of what they got going on,” expressed the rapper. “And I think the most rewarding part of the process is like, we’re planting the seeds for tomorrow. But I think every time I hop off one of these sessions, I feel equally as charged and excited as my mentee does. You know, I’m saying I think it fulfills me as much as it fulfills him.”

While elevating others, Joey continues to foster his legacy. The artist was recently announced as the newest Artist Scholar in Residence at Gordon Institute at Teachers College Columbia University. With new music on the way, Joey hopes his vision of building a network to uplift men of color expands to future generations.

”My vision is that in 2030, years from now, we can look back and see the future, some of the future leaders of tomorrow that have been directly impacted by this program, or to have directly came from this program, and to know that we bridged connections for these people,” shared Joey, who also completed an Artist in Residency at the Clive Davis Institute at Tisch NYU. I’m saying, like, we’ve helped the next generation level up in their lives, if not faster, more wiser, and more efficiently. So that’s really the goal, is to keep building and opening up pathways to create more space for people like us.”

At the dinner, BE caught up again with Joey Bada$$. The multifaceted artist shared his thoughts on advancing in the future of finance, specifically in cryptocurrency.

Participants also shared their stories as the specialty cocktails by Tres Generaciones flowed, praising one another for instilling wisdom and fellowship in each pairing. One mentee, Will, called it an opportunity like no other, where one can jumpstart their career through this unequivocal support.

He shared, “It’s where chances make champions.”

Impact MENtorship will continue next year, with its 2025 cohort underway.

RELATED CONTENT: Joey Bada$$ Unveils New Mentorship Program