by Sharelle Burt

November 19, 2024

Taco Bell CEO Sean Tresvant Gives Advice For Success: ‘Don’t Try To Be A Black Belt In Everything’

Hope everyone is taking notes....

Taco Bell’s CEO Sean Tresvant says the key to success and climbing the company ladder is not pretending to be a whiz at everything, Money Control reports.

While appearing on LinkedIn’s “This Is Working With Daniel Roth” podcast, the first Black CEO to run the Mexican-inspired fast food chain revealed the best advice he received while transitioning from chief brand officer to CEO in January 2024. “When I transitioned from being the chief brand officer to the CEO, some great advice I got was, don’t try to be a black belt in everything,” Tresvant said, labeling it the “biggest surprise.” He continued to reveal that, since he was given the golden nugget, the 43-year-old now says that instead of attempting to be an expert on everything, he stuck to being a “black belt in marketing and “a brown belt in everything else.”

After holding executive positions at Nike and Sports Illustrated, Tresvant learned that a successful manager’s strength truly shows when they admit to not knowing everything. That’s something he identified that helped the transition within Taco Bell come out smoothly — knowing your strengths and weaknesses and then simply going to a team member that possesses those skill sets. “That’s what I think helped me to be successful early on because I’m not trying to be everything,” the first-time CEO said.

“I understand I’m not a CFO, but I have a great CFO who can lead the business.”

According to MSN, the tactic is a sign of “great leadership.” It allows those around to get a shot at developing their own set of skills, which could result in them being afforded other opportunities. “I’m not trying to be everything,” Tresvant said. “Leaders who try to be everything to everybody, and try to maybe be a little too micro and don’t empower their teams to lead — I think that’s when the teams aren’t at their best. I try to be a good leader who understands what I’m good at, but also understands what other people are good at, and make sure I’m giving them the space to be great.”

Communications expert Matt Abrahams supported the CEO’s theory of good leadership by providing advice on ways to build successful relationships in the workplace. The first step is asking questions. Posing strong questions demonstrates that you care, it demonstrates empathy, it demonstrates you’re willing to learn, and in some cases, admit you don’t know everything,” Abrahams said.

“Those are all valuable tools and assets to have when you’re trying to grow your career or deepen relationships.”

On the podcast, “The Path,” leadership wizard Charlene Li said admitting to not knowing something is the fine line to cross into success. “You can open to a learner’s mindset, and that is absolutely crucial,” she said. Li also highlighted that having the balance of humility aligned with confidence can garner improvement from failure and get back up if one falls.

by Stacy Jackson

November 19, 2024

UNCF’s Unity Dinners Foster Relationships Between Black And Jewish Communities

Black and Jewish college students from Atlanta, D.C., and New Orleans HBCUs and PWIs gathered at the Unity Dinners to become lifelong allies.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund) welcomed hundreds of guests to its series of Unity Dinners this month in collaboration with Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), designed to promote unity and strengthen partnerships between Black and Jewish communities.

According to a press release, the collaborative event series gathered Black and Jewish college students from across several HBCUs and predominantly white institutions to connect, engage in open dialogue, and share experiences in an effort to encourage students to become life-long allies against injustice and bridge the divide between younger generations.

“By having young people engaged in meaningful conversation about their own shared struggles and culture, we are helping to foster empathy and understanding to create the next generation of civic and social justice champions to combat hate in our world,” said UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax

“Our UNCF Black and Jewish Unity Dinners embody the spirit of Tikkun Olam, healing the world,” he added.

According to The New Orleans Agenda newsletter, UNCF’s Unity Dinners are a cornerstone of the Tikkun Olam Society Initiative, which partners with Hillel International and funding from Kraft’s foundation.

As UNCF celebrated its 80th anniversary in April, the minority education organization was awarded $1 million from Kraft to support the organization of the Unity Dinners and other UNCF-led initiatives at HBCUs that support fellowship and social justice leadership among Black and Jewish students.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Stand Up to Jewish Hate (@standuptojewishhate)

UNCF’s series of Unity Dinners started at the National Civil and Human Rights Museum in Atlanta, with attendance from such institutions such as Agnes Scott College, Clark Atlanta University, and Emory University. The series continued to George Washington University, which included attendees from American University, Catholic University, and Georgetown University, before concluding at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Local leaders were in attendance for the Unity Dinners, including Hillel International CEO Adam Lehman, Clark Atlanta University President Dr. George French, George Washington University President Dr. Ellen Granberg, and Dillard University President Dr. Monique Guillory.

by Black Enterprise

November 19, 2024

Is The Village Still Raising These Children?

Talker Research took a deep dive into the makeup of today’s villages

Today’s parents are reinventing what it means to rely on their “village” when it comes to raising a child, new research finds.

According to a survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 0-6, 78% agree that the definition of a village — their community and support system — is different today than when they were growing up.

In fact, another 86% of parents say they have a different type of support system today than their own parents did.

Growing up, respondents recall spending the most time with grandmothers (60%), grandfathers (41%), aunts (51%) and uncles (41%) as well as their parents’ best friend (38%).

In total, they can remember an average of eight different people being regularly involved in their lives as children, and a majority (86%) are still in some contact with their childhood village.

But today, parents rely on an average of seven different people, and fewer of them are relatives.

Mothers (54%) and fathers (34%) still ranked at the top of the list, but today’s parents are more likely to lean on their friends (33%) or best friends (30%) than aunts or uncles (29%).

Still, 29% of parents find it difficult to make new friends today. Their inner circle most often includes the friends they made after having children (24%). Interestingly, parents are more likely to spend time with their childhood friends (15%) than they are with friends they made in adulthood before having children (14%), their teenage crew (9%) and even their college friends (6%).

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of The Goddard School, the survey took a deep dive into the makeup of today’s villages and aimed to uncover what the modern-day version looks like.

In fact, 83% say their child making a new friend results in building a friendship with their parents at least some of the time.

Four in five (81%) of all parents polled believe that it’s imperative to have a support system when it comes to raising their child, and another 43% believe parenting is more difficult today than it was for their own parents.

About a quarter of parents (27%) rely less on family members for support than their parents did, for reasons such as not having a close relationship with their family (33%) or their family members having other responsibilities and being too busy to help (32%). A quarter (25%) made the conscious decision to do things differently than their parents and lean on their family less.

On the flip side, 47% choose to lean on their family more. Many (41%) simply want a deep family connection, while others find it easier because both they and their partner work full time (31%) and it is more cost-effective (29%).

The good news is that parents are reaping the benefits of their villages. The vast majority (87%) believe their support system has improved the development of their child’s social and emotional skills.

The added support also enables parents to spend more quality time with their child (36%), complete tasks such as cooking, cleaning, or errands (33%), and be a better or more present parent (31%).

“Raising children today is like steering a ship through a storm; it can be tumultuous and unnerving, and without a compass to guide your ship — or a strong support system to help you parent — it’s easy to lose your way,” said Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School. “I encourage all parents to take full advantage of their entire network, including their school and childcare provider, to help them navigate their parenting journey.”

Almost three-quarters (74%) of surveyed parents currently have their child enrolled in school or childcare provider.

Of those parents, 89% say that their child’s school or childcare provider plays a role in their village, and they rely on them for support or guidance an average of 12 times per month.

But even so, almost two-thirds (65%) of parents wish their child’s school or childcare provider offered more opportunities to connect with other parents.

Family gatherings and social events (45%), educational workshops for parents and their children (36%), and celebrations and cultural events (35%) topped the list of opportunities parents would enjoy.

“Schools and childcare providers have not just an opportunity, but a responsibility, to offer their families support, guidance and resources to help both children and parents develop into the best versions of themselves,” said Loquasto. “We are committed to fostering a community where families feel supported and connected. Parenting is a journey, and while bumps and detours are inevitable, a strong village goes a long way to helping make the journey as smooth and rewarding as possible for the entire family.”

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of children ages 0-6; the survey was commissioned by The Goddard School and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Oct. 11 to Oct. 18, 2024.

Originally published on Talker Research

by Sharelle Burt

November 19, 2024

AutoZone Will Be Raising Prices For Consumers Thanks To Donald Trump’s U.S. Tariff Plans

Affordability should be the name of the game....

Yahoo Finance reports that the CEO of automotive retail giant AutoZone admits that if tariffs are implemented, the consumer will undoubtedly bear the higher cost.

Philip Daniele said during an earnings call in November 2024 that the company already anticipates product costs to increase, and if tariffs are added, the customer will have to pay up. “If we get tariffs, we will pass those tariff costs back to the consumer,” Daniele said. Under his leadership, he understands that new policies handed down by the Donald Trump administration will affect margins.

Tariffs, which include a 10% to 20% tax on all imports and potentially 60% to 100% on goods from China, have increased concern from consumers and corporations trying to protect their profit. AutoZone is not the only company that depends heavily on imported goods from overseas and is preparing for risky changes. Shoe conglomerate Steve Madden has already taken action. With 70% of its sources coming from China, the company announced it would cut ties with them by 50% — working with other foreign entities like Vietnam, Cambodia, and Mexico.

However, shoe fanatics should already count on price increases as leadership deals with the changes affecting the supply chain.

Columbia Sportswear and the National Retail Federation (NRF) expressed concerns about tariffs making their bottom line less affordable, which could result in a downfall of customers. The world’s largest retail trade association labeled the proposed tariffs as “a tax on American families.” It issued a warning that the cost of everyday goods like food and clothing will see a sharp price increase. In a report the association released on Nov. 4, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold says American consumers can expect to lose anywhere between $46 billion and $78 billion in spending power with added tariffs.

A $90 pair of sneakers could cost between $106 and $116, and a $100 coat could cost over $20.

On the campaign trail, President-elect Trump “promised” a slowdown on inflation,” but U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned that tariff payments would only increase it, and an analysis from the Budget Lab at Yale University supports her theory.

“A consistent theoretical and empirical finding in economics is that domestic consumers and domestic firms bear the burden of a tariff, not the foreign country,” the report from mid-October 2024 revealed.

Some companies are pausing any sudden movement until Trump actually makes a move. The CEO of ELF Beauty, Tarang Amin, says he will need to see the policy first before he even thinks about raising prices.

“We don’t like tariffs because they are a tax on the American people,” Amin said, according to Business Insider. He revealed that the company has had to deal with a 25% tariff since 2019 due to policies from Trump’s first White House reign. “And at that time, we pulled all the levers available to us to minimize the effects to our company and our community.”

Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt defended the first-term tariff, claiming it created jobs and restricted inflation. This time, Leavitt feels her boss will work to lower taxes and create more American jobs with added tariffs.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

Georgia State’s Medical Cannabis Program To Expand As Enrollment Hits 25,000 Patients

Distribution has come a long way since Georgia first legalized medicinal cannabis

Georgia’s Medical Cannabis program has reached 25,000 enrolled patients. The milestone signals an expansion of the dispensaries distributing the medicinal drug.

According to The Macon Telegraph, hitting this number was crucial to opening up more dispensaries in Georgia. The state agency overseeing the program’s rollout, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, can now approve the expansion effort.

With a clear demand for medical cannabis, Georgia growers can get their products to more eligible patients.

“Patient access continues to be our mission and purpose,” commission Chairman Sid Johnson said. “Expanding Georgia’s medical cannabis program, especially providing service to patients, is why the commission exists.”

Through this, the six production companies licensed to offer medical cannabis and cannabis products are now operating 13 dispensaries in the state. The move was also supported by listening sessions held at multiple universities across Georgia.

“We have heard from patients, caregivers, health professionals, veterans, researchers, and students with an interest in or need for medical cannabis,” Johnson said. “Their willingness to share their personal stories and feedback for improvement is invaluable to the betterment of the program.”

This distribution has come a long way since Georgia first legalized the use of the drug for medicinal purposes. Despite legalizing low-THC cannabis oil in 2015, Georgia lawmakers could not pass legislation for patients to obtain the drug.

Georgians had to leave the state to purchase, or risk buying cannabis oil illegally, until 2019. Then, the General Assembly passed a new bill to create a licensing process for companies to produce marijuana indoors. Under state regulation and supervision, they were able to sell the product to state-registered patients, but only under a doctor’s orders.

The number of cannabis dispensaries will also keep growing. The law states that the production companies will get an extra dispensing license for every 10,000 patient increase. The news follows other strides for cannabis distribution made in Georgia, such as the legalization of selling low-dose THC products in pharmacies.

As medical marijuana usage grows, Georgia expects to take part in the movement and scale up the number of patients and dispensaries it sees in the state.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 19, 2024

Muhammad Ali’s Grandson Calls Jake Paul ‘An Embarrassment’ To Boxing, Ali Would Call Him Out Too

Nico Ali Walsh turned down a chance to get in the ring with Paul.

The legacy of heavyweight boxer Muhammad Ali, who termed the phrase the “greatest of all time,” may live on through his grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, who followed his grandfather and aunt, Laila Ali, in their career choices to become a fighter. After the recent Mike Tyson-Jake Paul boxing match, he expressed disappointment with Paul for fighting Tyson, a friend and student of his grandfather.

Tyson lost by unanimous decision to a YouTube boxer/content creator in a fight described as lackluster, as it showed 58-year-old Tyson not looking like the Tyson who became the world’s youngest heavyweight champion. With the 30-year age difference, many people questioned the validity of the bout while expressing fear for Tyson stepping into the ring way past his prime. After viewing the fight, Walsh took to social media and chastised Paul by stating that if his grandfather were still alive, the G.O.A.T. would have called him out.

“Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport. If my grandfather was still around, he’d call him out. Absolutely no shame… Love you Mike.”

Jake Paul is an embarrassment to this sport. If my grandfather was still around, he’d call him out. Absolutely no shame… Love you Mike🙏🏼

— Nico Ali Walsh (@nicoaliwalsh) November 16, 2024

Marca reported that Paul challenged Walsh to get in the ring with him. Yet, Walsh has pointed out that he fights at 155 pounds while Paul weighs 185, a weight difference of 30 pounds, which doesn’t make for a fair fight since both men are in different weight classes. Walsh has stated that he notices that Paul targets people who can add to his resume as opposed to concentrating on boxers in his weight class. However, Ali’s grandson wants to focus on his professional career instead of taking fights that become a sideshow for his goal of success in the sport.

According to Bleacher Report, Walsh confirmed that Paul has been trying to take him on as an opponent and offering him a multimillion-dollar contract to join Paul’s company, MVP Promotions.

“Before this fight, I denied a multimillion-dollar contract from MVP Promotions to fight Jake Paul and I’m fighting a real fighter tonight,” Ali Walsh said.

“So, I’m not part of that circus league of boxing. This is the real league of boxing. This is what I’m going to do.”

Ali Walsh has a record of 10-1, with five of those wins coming by way of knockouts.

CreativeJunkFood, DC, go-go music, Marion barry

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

CreativeJunkFood Celebrates D.C. Through Go-Go Music And Marion Barry History

The two projects pay tribute to two D.C. staples, Go-Go music and late mayor, Marion Barry.

CreativeJunkFood, a Black-owned multimedia Creative Studio, has announced the launch of two projects celebrating the culture and legacy of Washington, D.C.

CreativeJunkFood unveiled one of the years-long projects, the Go-Go Museum, Nov. 18. The exhibit pays tribute to the music style founded and popularized in the nation’s capital. The establishment also features a roll call wall and stairwell, incorporating branding and technology into the immersive space with museum founder, Ron Moten.

“It’s amazing to be a part of both projects,” said Candice Taylor, co-founder of CreativeJunkFood, in a statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Through the Go-Go Museum, we can dive deep into what go-go means as an art form and how to properly express it in an exciting way.”

Before the museum opened to the public, a Go-Go bus was created to also build the hype and celebrate D.C.’s rich artistic history. The mobile experience broadcasted the then-upcoming museum’s offerings and exhibits, while also having a stage on top.

CreativeJunkFood’s second venture was the Marion Barry Legacy Public Arts Project, named in honor of the city’s late mayor. Upon approval by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the creative studio partnered with the Marion Barry Legacy Jr. Foundation to bring the project into fruition.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CreativeJunkFood (@creativejunkfood)

“Through the Marion Barry Legacy Public Arts Project, we can get a real feel for what Mayor Barry accomplished in his life and how we can still live, grow, and thrive in our city because of him,” added Taylor.

The space features a mural and interactive kiosks alongside a sculpture of Barry. The long-time activist and political leader died in 2014, but remains celebrated for his wide-ranging impact on the city. The installation will also open to the public on Nov. 23.

As for CreativeJunkFood, the ability to bring these two projects to life for the D.C. community has been a “full circle moment” for the homegrown studio.

“It feels like a full circle moment to be leading these two major projects,” said Nabeeh Bilal, co-founder of CreativeJunkFood. “With the Go-Go Museum, I’ve known Ron Moten since I was 11, so to be working with him to design the museum is a great feeling. Mayor Marion Barry lived two blocks down the street from me in Southeast. I’d see him jogging in the mornings as a kid, and to be entrusted with the project that honors his legacy is beyond incredible.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

November 19, 2024

Telfar Opens Flagship Store In New York City, Offering ‘Bushwick Birkins’ Year-Round

Telfar fans will get to purchase the full range of its famed shopping bags.

The popular fashion brand Telfar will open its first flagship store in New York City’s SoHo section.

Telfar will offer its signature shopping bag, colloquially known as the “Bushwick Birkin,” year-round inside the 10,000-square-foot store. The bags became a Telfar signature product, building hype and leading to exclusive drops and queues to buy the affordable staple.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @telfarglobal

At the SoHo storefront, shoppers will be able to see the full range of shopping bags in all their glory. The faux leather bag typically comes in three sizes, with dozens of colors and additional variations made through collaborations with brands like Ugg and Eastpak.

Launched in 2005, Telfar has emerged as a widely loved handbag and accessories label. Its “T” logo has captivated the masses and celebrities like Beyoncé. The brand’s founder, Telfar Clemens, even designed some looks for the singer’s Renaissance tour, becoming a trailblazing Black designer in the industry.

According to Business of Fashion, Clemens announced his vision of a permanent store in 2022. Following multiple successful pop-ups, Telfar hopes to scale up even further. Now, as the designer introduces real leather shopping bags, fans can support the cult brand in person.

As frequently sold-out bags can be secured through the storefront, it will also include a television studio. The studio will allow customers to broadcast themselves with their Telfar bags on an LED screen. The move aligns with its frequently used Telfar TV, its 24-hour streaming network used to announce new drops. With its in-house placement, Telfar aims to use the space to conduct interviews and performances and better connect with buyers.

Telfar will host a celebratory event at the flagship store on Nov. 23, during which the brand plans to unveil a new surprise bag to guests. Telfar fanatics will also have the chance to win a free bag by participating in an open mic contest.

While open to all and “open forever,” the brand expects a massive turnout. Despite this, limited RSVPs are available on its Instagram.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

November 19, 2024

Mike Tyson Receives $250K Offer After ‘Cheeky’ Display On Fight Night

The vice president of the adult website, CamSoda made the offer that the boxer is most likely to refuse

One company was so impressed with the former heavyweight boxer’s appearance that it offered Mike Tyson six figures, not to fight but to make an appearance based on what was shown in the boxer’s dressing room on the night of his highly-anticipated brawl with Jake Paul.

According to TMZ Sports, after viewing a particular scene before Tyson headed out to fight Paul, an adult website made the 58-year-old a $250,000 offer. While in his dressing room, after an intimate moment with his son, the Netflix cameras revealed Tyson’s bare butt as he walked away. The seemingly innocent shot made noise when viewers witnessed it on Nov. 16.

Apparently, the vice president of the adult website CamSoda saw the display and came up with an idea to offer the popular pugilist a quarter of a million dollars.

In a letter to Tyson, VP Daryn Parker stated, “Now I understand this offer may be a far cry from what you just raked in from the fight, but let’s face it — maybe it’s time to hang up the gloves.”

“I think this offer is the perfect way to still get in front of people and perform in a different, less strenuous way. Plus, you don’t have to worry about anyone biting or going after your ears.”

This is not the first time the website offered to pay the boxer six figures.

Four years ago, Boxing Scene reported that CamSoda wanted to pay Tyson $100,000 to be the Drug Test Coordinator for an event the site was promoting. They made the offer after viewing an episode of his podcast, Hotboxin with Mike Tyson, where he discussed beating drug tests during his earlier career by using a prosthetic penis filled with a child’s urine to avoid testing positive during random tests.

Tyson turned down that offer, and there is no word if he will accept this recent one.

The youngest heavyweight champion of the world lost his recent fight against Paul, which took place in Arlinton, Texas, at AT&T Stadium.

women's wrestling, Delaware State University,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

November 19, 2024

Getty Pledges $1.55M To Preserve Historic Buildings Designed By Black Architects

Getty commits $1.55 million to preserve historic buildings designed by Black architects.

The Getty Foundation has partnered with the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, pledging $1.55 million to preserve historic modernist buildings designed by Black architects and designers.

The funding, made possible through the Conserving Black Modernism initiative, will support preservation planning, training, and storytelling for eight grantees who will be announced in 2025, Philanthropy News Digest reported. In addition to essential preservation efforts, the grants will be used to organize project participants, consultants, and preservationists, encouraging peer-to-peer learning and the development of professional networks.

The initiative will strengthen enduring partnerships among the Action Fund, Getty, Black heritage networks, grantees, and national stakeholders dedicated to preserving Black-designed modern architecture.

“African American architects and designers have been left out of the modern architecture movement for over a century. Because of this, many pioneers of the Black modernism movement remain unknown, despite the incredible work they have done to fuel innovation, experimentation, and push the limits of how people interact with the built environment,” said Action Fund executive director and National Trust senior vice president Brent Leggs.

“With the support of the Getty Foundation, the Action Fund will continue to leverage historic preservation as a force that ensures the contributions of Black people and culture are protected and included in the narrative of our nation’s heritage.”

The funding the Getty Foundation has allocated to Conserving Black Modernism as part of the Action Fund’s National Grant Program, which has invested $27 million in 304 Black historic and cultural sites nationwide. Backed by over $150 million, the Action Fund stands as the largest U.S. resource dedicated to preserving African American historic places.

“By extending Conserving Black Modernism, we get closer to our shared goal of expanding the story of mid-century architecture to include the advances and innovations of African American architects,” said Joan Weinstein, Director of the Getty Foundation.

“Important buildings continue to be threatened, and a third year of Conserving Black Modernism will deliver much-needed project support and critical training in communities across the country to ensure a robust network of professionals are in place to care for this heritage into the future.”

The Action Fund will open applications on January 10, 2025, with grantees set to be announced in July 2025.