Black GOP Members Feel Excluded From Trump’s 2nd-Term Cabinet Picks

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 4, 2024

Black GOP Members Feel Excluded From Trump’s 2nd-Term Cabinet Picks

Anti-DEI practices have consequences

After heavily campaigning for the four-time indicted businessman, Donald Trump, Black Republicans are confused over why they haven’t been selected for cabinet seats, ABC News reported.

Over half a dozen longtime and fresh-faced Black conservatives and GOP supporters of President-elect Donald J. Trump – both on Capitol Hill and outside – are curious as to why more Black people haven’t been appointed to key positions within Trumpworld. So far only one African-American has been picked for a “Black job.” In November 2024, Scott Turner, the former executive director of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term and retired NFL player, was picked to serve as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The selection was a sore point for some Black Republicans. “Why is every Black person given HUD?,” an unidentified Black Southern conservative said.

History shows that six African Americans have served as HUD secretaries, with Robert Weaver being the first, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. Weaver was also the first African American appointed to a Cabinet-level position. Historically, a number of Republican presidents have only selected one Black person to serve in their cabinet. Former HUD Secretary Samuel Pierce was the only Black Cabinet official during the Ronald Reagan reign and Dr. Ben Carson served as Trump’s sole Black cabinet member back in 2016.

A number of Trump defenders are giving the side-eye to the lack of Black appointees while other minority groups have been given the opportunity to firsts in certain positions. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL.) would be the first Hispanic secretary of state, Scott Bessent would be the first openly gay Treasury secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard will be the first Asian-American and the youngest director of national intelligence – if confirmed.

Those who want to speak out are fearful of the reaction from fellow Republicans. “I can’t tweet that we need more Black conservatives because the left will attack me saying it’s a DEI hire,” one Republican said.

According to Politico, there are a number of cabinet picks in Trump’s second term that may be looked at as falling in the category of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Outside of Turner, Rubio, and Gabbard, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), who is Hispanic, was selected as Department of Labor secretary. Kash Patel, of Indian descent, was selected to be the director of the FBI, which has drawn strong backlash and criticism.

However, there are some that don’t see a problem with the lack of color in the White House as Rep. Byron Donald (R-Fl.) called out President Joe Biden’s diverse cabinet, but claims they did nothing during their time in office. “If you look at how the Democrats filled Joe Biden’s cabinet, they wanted to have a piece of every identity. But did they get the job done? Did they actually serve the interest of the American people?,” he said while making an appearance on CNN.

“What Donald Trump’s election is about, is bringing competency and reality back to D.C. in the White House, regardless of their race, regardless of their religion, regardless of their creed.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 4, 2024

Jersey City Tenants Accuse Landlord Of Planting Dead Fish To Vacate The Premises

Tenants accuse building management of attempting to force them out to bring in new tenants at higher rent prices

In an alleged effort to get people to move out of a Jersey City building, tenants have accused their landlord of sending employees to a vacant apartment to place dead fish in the unit.

According to Gothamist, the alleged act was done to get tenants out of the building so he could bring in new tenants at a higher rent. The tenants summoned the Jersey City Fire Department to the building to figure out what the odor was. One of the tenants filmed the moment firefighters entered the vacant apartment to discover the dead fish strategically placed throughout the unit.

As the video is being filmed, several tenants react in disbelief as a walk through the apartment reveals dead fish on the floor, on top of several pieces of furniture left in the unit, as well as discovering fish in a refrigerator that was left wide open. You can hear the firefighters assuring the tenants that, if need be, they will give testimony to what they found in the tenants’ complaints about what the landlords were alleged to have done.

This incident took place in March.

Another resident of the building also stated that fish was found in another vacant unit in the building. He also said that only the landlord and his employees have access to that apartment.

People have claimed that the building was purchased in 2023 by a Brooklyn-based real estate company, Jersey Mountains 6, LLC. Ever since they bought the building, they have been alleging that the company has used several illegal tactics to try to drive out the tenants who mostly pay rent taht is below market rate, so they can obtain new residents it can charge higher rent prices. They have also complained that the landlord has allowed trash to pile up in the basement and fired the building’s super. On top of that, tenants have accused the company of not cashing their rent checks to try to evict them for non-payment of rent.

The building has six units and there are three remaining tenants who reportedly only pay $540 monthly. The landlord’s attorney, Matthew Sebera, told the board that his client wants to increase the monthly rent to around $1,850.

The Jersey City Times recently reported that the real estate company has filed an application with the city’s Rent Leveling Board to raise the rent of the occupants of the building. They told the board that when they purchased the building, they were told the units were vacant.

The tenants have also filed complaints with the city under the anti-harassment ordinance for renters and the tenant who filmed the “fish” discovery video has also filed a criminal complaint in municipal court.

Melissa Mitchell, Shein, Abeille creations

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2024

FAMU Grad Melissa Mitchell Debuts Collection Of Wearable Art On SHEIN X

She continues to be open about her "artistic faith journey"

Melissa Mitchell continues her rise in fashion as her Abeille Creations imprint debuts a new 50-piece collection as part of SHEIN X.

The Florida A&M University alum shared her excitement on Facebook on Monday, announcing her official partnership with the online retail giant. Through the retailer’s SHEIN X initiative, Abeille Creations has become one of the newest Black-owned brands to gain visibility on the platform.

“I am MORE than proud to announce my extended MEGA @sheinx__official 50-piece collection that is now available globally,” Mitchell wrote. “Whew. Yesssss, you read that right — F-I-F-T-Y pieces. Yall —- this is THEE biggest body of wearable art that I’ve produced at once in my lifetime. Type “Abeille Creations” in the search bar to find me on the site.”

She shared a little about her journey to secure the partnership, which included a failed collaboration opportunity that fell through earlier in the year. After landing the SHEIN partnership, Mitchell had only a short amount of time to deliver her 50-piece collection. But she did, and she couldn’t be more proud.

“Transparently, At the top of the year, an opportunity fell through that nearly derailed my momentum and focus for MONTHS,” she wrote. “But I never stopped painting and creating. I was able to whip out design after design upon request within minutes. I had to turn these pieces around QUICKLY, do you hear me? But I did it. The team was blown away, and here we are.”

The womenswear collection includes a variety of vibrant, colorful dresses, two-piece sets, and swimwear with affordable price points ranging from $6 to $27. Made to represent Mitchell’s mission of creating a better life, Abeille Creations reflects the Bahamian artists’ ability to break glass ceilings in art, technology, and fashion worldwide.

Since its launch in 2016, Abeille Creations has secured global deals with Foot Locker and SPANX, offered Mitchell a platform for her own TED Talk, and joined the Afropunk/ Shopify Black Fashion Accelerator program.

“When I tell you God will turn your ashes to beauty, your tears into diamonds, and your losses into your greatest victories. I am a LIVING witness. Your latter will be greater. Haggai 2:9 is real,” she wrote in her social media announcement.

She continues to be open about her “artistic faith journey” as she celebrates her latest achievement with SHEIN. Explore the full collection here and discover Abeille Creations’ complete range of womenswear, menswear, art, and home decor on its website.

Melissa Mitchell Talks Faith, Fashion and FAMU

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2024

Christian Combs Served With Assault Lawsuit At Diddy’s Miami Mansion

Diddy's son Christian Combs was served with an assault lawsuit at his dad's Miami mansion.

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ son, Christian Combs, is the newest member of the famous family facing sexual assault allegations.

The 26-year-old rapper was at his father’s Miami mansion when he was served with legal papers in a lawsuit filed by Grace O’Marcaigh, who accuses Christian of assault, battery, sexual assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The suit stems from a July 2022 incident when the woman was working on the Victorious yacht chartered by Diddy, who brought his son Christian along.

According to the filing, the Bad Boyy founder turned “what was sold as a wholesome family excursion into a hedonistic environment,” where she believes sex workers were present on the yacht.

“It resulted in an unexpected increase in workload for her and her colleagues as well as unwanted exposure to unlawful drug use, sex work, and general chaos,” the lawsuit states.

During her shift, O’Marcaigh claims that Christian took an immediate interest in her, which she “considered very inappropriate.” After pressuring her to drink with him inside a recording studio, the suit says Christian “violently grabbed [Grace’s] arm and began hurting her. He pulled [Grace] to the seat beside him and prevented her from getting up.”

O’Marcaigh says she tried getting out of the encounter by asking to go to the kitchen, but “her pleas fell on deaf ears,” the filing states. Instead, Christian allegedly continued to pressure her to drink by taking more shots.

“[Grace] was quite scared and realized she was in a very dangerous situation,” her complaint reads. “[Grace] was also feeling the effect of the tequila shots and quickly suspected that the tequila was spiked.”

The plaintiff goes on to accuse Christian of cornering her into a room where he became “physical and extremely aggressive” by groping her, despite her repeated attempts to push him back. O’Marcaigh says Christian took off all of his clothes and revealed his erection before attempting to force her to perform oral sex on him.

The suit says she tried fighting Christian off, but he only stopped when another employee walked into the room. She stated that she informed her Captain the following morning, but he “lacked compassion or concern, failed to investigate, and insisted she was likely voluntarily partying with the guests.”

O’Marcaigh denied this claim. She alleged that the Captain had forced her to continue serving Christian on the yacht and did not offer her the option of being reassigned or isolated from him.

“In addition to losing her employment, [Grace] also lost her longtime partner, with whom she had planned a future,” the suit states. “[Grace’s] partner was never the same after seeing [Grace’s] bruises on her body because of [Christian’s] sexual assault and having to deal with the mental and emotional ramifications, so they separated.”

Grace stated that she continues to experience significant harm as a result of Christian’s actions. She shared that she had been working as a stewardess in the yachting industry since 2018 and had planned to build a lifelong career in the field. However, she claims the alleged incident with Christian has disrupted those plans.

“[Grace’s] mental health deteriorated to the point that she was medicated and required intensive therapy. Additionally, she fell into a deep depression and was unable to fully carry out her maid of honor duties at the wedding of her only sister in June 2023, which she had been looking forward to doing for over eighteen months,” her lawyer wrote in the suit.

The lawsuit comes as Christian’s father remains incarcerated in a Brooklyn, New York facility on sex trafficking charges, where he was denied bail for the third time.

by Mitti Hicks

December 4, 2024

Why Hakeem Jeffries’ Leadership Will Be Tested As Democrats Breakaway From Standards

As America prepares for the new administration, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could face his first leadership test as Democrats consider breaking protocol with seniority in leadership.

As the new administration prepares to take office, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries could face his first leadership test within his own party as the Republican majority transitions into power. Following sweeping election losses, Republicans will control both chambers of Congress in 2025.

According to CNN, Jeffries’ leadership test is happening as there’s a clash within his party about how Democrats will counter the former president and his allies. Democrats are growing frustrated and losing patience as a question mark looms over the party’s future and messaging. The party is already looking to turn over a new leaf after November’s defeat, and in doing so, it means some members are considering doing away with the long-standing Democratic principle of seniority in leadership.

In one example, Rep. Jamie Raskin is challenging Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has held the top Democratic spot on the House Judiciary Committee. Raskin, who is 16 years Nadler’s junior, is the ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Raskin is now vying for the top position on the Judiciary Committee because he reportedly considers it “the headquarters of Congressional opposition to authoritarianism.”

Bigger Than Breaking Protocol With Tradition But Also Age

It’s not just Raskin; as CNN points out, it’s also about age.

Sixty-year-old Rep. Jared Huffman announced he would challenge 76-year-old Rep. Raul Grijalva for the party’s top spot on the Natural Resources committee. Grijalva, who is battling cancer, later announced he wouldn’t run. According to CNN, at least two other Democrats are considering replacing Rep. David Scott, 79, who has the top spot on the House Agriculture Committee.

With Raskin considering a spot on the Judiciary Committee that leaves a vacancy on the Oversight committee. Sources tell CNN that Reps. Stephen Lynch and Gerry Connolly will try to run for the top spot again, and there are some reports that younger members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will defy the seniority standard and run for a spot as well.

What remains a question is how House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, described as a “reserved” and “selective” leader, will weigh in. During President-elect Donald Trump’s impeachment investigation, Jeffries reportedly deferred to committee Democrats and only got involved when needed.

Vanessa Williams, The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda Priestley

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2024

Vanessa Williams Slays For The Premiere Of Her Performance In ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ Musical

Vanessa Williams stunned at the London premiere of "The Devil Wears Prada" Musical.

Vanessa Williams was front and center at the premiere party for “The Devil Wears Prada” musical in London on Dec. 1.

The award-winning actress and singer, who takes on the role of the “Devil” herself, Miranda Priestly, posed for photos outside The British Museum as captured by USA Today. She was joined in the celebration by fellow cast members, including Amy Di Bartolomeo as Emily, Matt Henry as Nigel, and Georgie Buckland as Andy.

“Opening night? Groundbreaking. Opening @pradawestend was nothing short of extraordinary,” Williams shared in an Instagram post. “From the stunning cast to the dazzling energy, it was a night to remember and just the start of something amazing.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial)

The musical originated from the hit 2006 film starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway and is based on the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger, a former assistant to Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. It tells the story of a young journalist navigating the demands of a fashion magazine and its fearsome editor.

The musical was composed by Elton John, who revealed his struggle to watch his work in action after losing his eyesight because of an eye infection.

“I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I’ve lost my eyesight, so, it’s hard for me to see it,” he said during the musical’s opening night at London’s Dominion Theatre, which was also a charity gala for the Elton John AIDS foundation.. “But I love to hear it, and it quite sounded good tonight.”

Williams celebrated the opening with an Instagram post sharing photos from the night and highlighting its ties to support the Foundation.

“Last night wasn’t just about fashion—it was about compassion,” she captioned her post. Honored to celebrate #WorldAIDSDay at the Opening Night Gala of The Devil Wears Prada musical in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation.”

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A post shared by Vanessa Williams (@vanessawilliamsofficial)

“The Devil Wears Prada” musical is officially open, with shows slated into October 2025.

Joe Biden, President, White House Staffers

by Daniel Johnson

December 4, 2024

Photo Oops: White House Staffers Reportedly Frustrated By Lack Of Photos With Biden

'They just took them off his schedule months ago, and no one knows why.'

Former White House staffers are reportedly miffed about changes to a long-running tradition of outgoing presidents at the White House taking photos with staffers and their families, according to a number of staffers who spoke to Politico.

As an anonymous former Biden administration official who left the White House in 2022 explained to Politico, the photos are “the one thing you can sort of count on as a reward for all of your service, and it’s parents feeling fulfilled, too, for all of their work and getting you to this place.”

Joe Biden’s presidency is obviously not ending the way that he or the hundreds of staffers around him had hoped. But that doesn’t mean that some expectations for his closing weeks in the White House have changed.

The latest in Playbook: https://t.co/pKJgOoGCHA
— POLITICO Playbook (@playbookdc) November 29, 2024

A group of former staffers may take action to get their photos with the president.https://t.co/riYFtQX9jN
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) November 29, 2024

But the former official also noted that the removal of the option to take photos with the outgoing president could be a bad sign.

“They just took them off his schedule months ago, and no one knows why,” the former official told Politico. “Of course the culture is bad over there if they’re not doing the little things.”

In a departure from the removal from the president’s schedule hinted at by the official, the Office of Management and Administration’s employee engagement team told managers in an email sent during the week of Nov. 29, which Politico obtained, that it was “pleased to invite all current EOP political appointees for a departure photo to celebrate your time and work while at the White House.”

However, the next line in the email became another cause for consternation among the staff, as it indicated that the photos did not extend to family members, such as parents of staffers. According to the email, the photo sessions are being scheduled “on a rolling basis” during Biden’s final two months in office.

In a lengthy letter to colleagues, one former official expressed their frustratin with not getting a formal farewell from the president.

“These are the staffers who stood with Biden since Day 1, many since the lowest ebbs of the campaign,” the former official wrote. “The staffers who gave everything to this President, who missed anniversaries, birthdays, their own doctors appointments, knowing democracy itself was on the line, deserve at the very least a proper goodbye from the man who says he owes them everything.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 4, 2024

Monogram Cannabis Faces Challenges As Retailers Pull Products from Shelves

Jay-Z's cannabis company Monogram appears to be in trouble amid its removal from retail shelves.

Jay-Z’s business success seems to be faltering in the cannabis industry, as his Monogram company faces product removal from store shelves.

Launched in 2020, the hip-hop mogul’s luxury cannabis brand claims to be available at nine retailers across California and Arizona. However, a closer look reveals that none of these retailers currently feature Monogram products as part of their roster, SF Gate reports.

Meanwhile, The Parent Company, which supported Monogram, has reportedly exhausted the $575 million it began with and has merged with another company amid signs of financial struggles. Seth Yakatan, a cannabis investor and advisor to numerous California cannabis companies, says he isn’t surprised by the struggles of both companies.

He criticizes The Parent Company for its “mind-boggling” spending during its short tenure and suggests that Jay-Z’s high-priced Monogram products failed to deliver on their hype.

“Like many other things we’ve seen in cannabis surrounding rappers, the hype hasn’t met the reality. Monogram was supposed to be an ultra-premium product, and I don’t know anyone who tried it and thought it was anything more than mid-tier,” Yakatan said.

The downfall comes just three years after Monogram began promoting its product line through a Palm Springs-hosted campaign shoot shot by Slim Aarons and reimagined by Hype Williams.

It’s a lifestyle, not an era.
Slim Aarons, reimagined by Hype Williams – featuring Slick Woods, @CurrenSy_Spitta, @GhettoGastro and @oranicuhh. pic.twitter.com/iCUw8lNEQZ
— MONOGRAM (@monogramcompany) April 13, 2021

The luxury line of cannabis consisted of 12 products, including the $40 “Loosie Preroll Pack,” a $50 “OG Handroll” joint, and a $70 4G Flower, described as “a cerebral strain to help chill, focus, and confidently tackle obstacles in your path.” Monogram was one of the biggest cannabis business announcements of 2020, with Jay-Z serving as the celebrity frontman for The Parent Company (TPCO).

Early investors in The Parent Company (TPCO) saw quick returns following its launch, which combined three existing cannabis corporations. After going public in 2020 through a special-purpose acquisition company, the fundraising strategy enabled investors to raise substantial capital rapidly. During its operation, TPCO managed 20 retail brands, operated multiple grow facilities, and maintained a network of retail stores across California.

With Jay-Z serving as the chief visionary officer at TPCO, a board member once boasted about the company’s $575 million in cash reserves—an amount significantly higher than any other cannabis company in California.

“We’re going to dominate and consolidate the market. … It will be hard for any smaller player to compete with us,” TPCO board member Michael Aurbach claimed in November 2020.

However, in 2022, TPCO reported a staggering $587 million net loss, prompting a merger with another California cannabis company, Gold Flora, to stay afloat. TPCO retained a 49% stake in the newly formed entity as part of the deal, reducing it to a minority owner in its own company.

In the same year, Monogram officially parted ways with TPCO and came under the ownership of a separate limited liability company, Gold Flora. Sources say TPCO went downhill following Jay-Z’s exit.

“Jay-Z stepped away years ago and it just went up in a mess,” an insider tells TMZ.

Now as Gold Flora’s stock filings indicate that it still holds exclusive rights to sell Monogram products in California, it remains unclear whether the products are currently being sold. Gold Flora is also grappling with financial difficulties, reporting over $56 million in losses this year, carrying $63.5 million more in debt than assets, and facing a $202,000 lawsuit from Coastal Sun, a Santa Cruz cannabis farm, for allegedly failing to pay its bills. Amid the downfall of Monogram’s parent companies, a big question mark has been left around the future of Jay-Z’s cannabis imprint.

by Daniel Johnson

December 4, 2024

Tennessee State University Financial Aid Director Claims Firing Was Retaliatory

On Aug. 27, Tanaka Vercher claims she refused to bend the rules in service of the university. The next day, she says, Tennessee State University fired her.

Tanaka Vercher, the former director of financial aid for Tennessee State University, filed a suit against the university in Davidson County Chancery Court on Dec 2, claiming she was fired after she refused to violate federal law on behalf of the university.

According to WSMV, Vercher, who worked at Tennessee State for 21 years, was fired in August along with 114 colleagues to help the HBCU navigate its financial issues.

Her lawsuit, however, tells a much different story.

The litigation details a meeting on August 27 between Vercher, then-TSU Chief of Staff Curtis Johnson, Barbara Tharpe (who is now in Vercher’s former role) consultant Beau Briggs, and other administrators, including members of the TSU president’s office.

According to the lawsuit, “During this meeting, Ms. Vercher estimated that more than twenty percent of TSU students had been admitted without proof of a high school diploma or its equivalent. Her refusal to request funds for these students meant a loss of approximately $7,000,000 in available cash to TSU. Mr. Briggs repeated that TSU could not wait until the reconciliation process was complete in October for distribution of these funds.”

A day after Vercher refused to bend the rules in service of the university, she received an email informing her that she would no longer be employed by the university.

According to the lawsuit, this ran counter to her last available performance review.

“She had previously received highly favorable performance reviews and had just been given a raise in July, one month earlier,” the suit explained. “No reasonable explanation exists for Ms. Vercher’s termination. The only explanation is that TSU was retaliating against her for her refusal to request government funds for TSU, to which she knew TSU was not entitled. The action that TSU was requesting Ms. Vercher take was illegal and a violation of important public policy.”

As The Nashville Banner reported, Vercher is seeking back pay, front pay, and damages.

The lawsuit against the university follows a rash of problems for the HBCU; in November, the school board voted unanimously to fire the top lawyer at the university and to stop paying its former president, Glenda Glover, who was set to receive $1.7 million over the next four years.

Also, in November, university officials alluded that part of the reason for the cessation of the payments to Glover was the issuance of scholarships that the university didn’t have the financial standing to honor.

In addition, Tennessee State Comptroller of Treasury Jason Mumpower criticized the actions of the university’s previous board of trustees, which “operated this university in such a way as literally, you are out of money. They are gone, and they’ve left the situation where literally you were going to fail to make payroll on November 29 if you had not had an infusion of cash from the state, which we, fortunately, have been able to do.”

Compounding the issues faced by Tennessee State University is a 2023 report from the Biden administration detailing that the university, like other HBCUs in similar situations, was underfunded by the State of Tennessee by as much as $2.1 billion.

Per the United States Department of Agriculture’s press release, “Unequitable appropriated funding of the 1890 institutions in the states ranges from $172 million to $2.1 billion, causing severe financial gaps. In the last 30 years alone, these funds could have supported vital and much-needed infrastructure and student services and would have better positioned the recipient universities to compete for grants to increase educational opportunity for students.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 4, 2024

OSHA Expands Use Of Smart Glasses For Safer Inspections

Technology can definitely come in handy sometimes....

Yahoo Finance reports that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it will continue its partnership with a leading smart glasses supplier to support a goal of heightening operational efficiency and safety through field inspections and service.

The Vuzix M400™ smart glasses, created by Vuzix, a leader in Augmented Reality (AR) technology, offer a subscription-based Zoom license that allows inspectors and field officials to collaborate in real-time with superiors and technical support personnel. Thanks to the smart glasses’ setup and software, OSHA officials revealed an update on proficiency following a two-year trial, training, and system touch-ups.

Vuzix’s President and CEO Paul Travers says the partnership puts the company in the national spotlight and helps the industry. “With a nationwide presence encompassing hundreds of field and federal offices alongside affiliated agencies, OSHA is leveraging Vuzix’s advanced technology to optimize communication and documentation processes across its operations,” Travers said.

“This initiative aims to reduce response times, improve operational efficiency, and elevate workplace safety standards. We look forward to the opportunity to increase our engagement with OSHA going forward.”

According to XR Today, the partnership is massive for Vuzix as it has been proven how AR can influence workplace procedures. The company expanded on its M400 portfolio months before the expansion with OSHA. In August 2024, the M400 Xtreme Smart Glasses Kit was launched. Specifically designed to combat extreme weather conditions, the latest kit addresses necessary enhancements, including a lightweight Xtreme Weather power bank. With the ability to operate between a temperature range of 20°C to 45°C, the power bank and the kit have an IP67 rating, showing strong resistance to dust and water.

The company stands by its products and claims the new kit outperforms the All-Weather Kit in battery capacity and durability. It also holds a comfortable headband designed for those scheduled for long shifts. All three smart glasses kits are priced at $1,799.99.

In addition to the smart glasses upgrade, Vuzix announced integrating Microsoft’s Intune, a cloud-based Mobile Device Management (MDM) service, into its M-series of AR smart glasses, helping businesses efficiently deploy hardware across their workforce. By obtaining Microsoft’s official certification, the goal is to support the scaling and distribution efforts for customers already adopting the MDM solution. Tavers called the Microsoft integration “a key development for Vuzix” that further “differentiates the competitiveness and utility” of their smart glasses.

An iTunes integration is also being developed so Vuzix customers can work with an already familiar platform.