Natalie Williams, general manager, titles, consecutive, back to back, Aces, Las Vegas Acces, WNBA

by Atiya Jordan

October 19, 2023

Natalie Williams One Step Closer To Historic Back-To-Back Victory As GM Of WNBA Aces

Natalie Williams, general manager of the Las Vegas Aces, is gearing up for a win of a lifetime. She could become the first Black general manager in WNBA history to win back-to-back titles.

The 2022 WNBA champions are just one win away from trailblazing history. Las Vegas could become the first team to win back-to-back championships in 20 years if they defeat the New York Liberty. In Game 3, the Aces were looking to become the first repeat WNBA champion since the 2001-2002 Los Angeles Sparks. But the Liberty’s win has opened up another opportunity, with Game 4 taking place Oct. 18 in Brooklyn. Williams is all in!

The wife and mother of six has served as the Aces’ general manager for only two years. In her first season, the Basketball Hall of Famer witnessed the “magical” run to Las Vegas’ first title in franchise history last year. Her team was also the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup Champions.

And yet Williams is no stranger to winning as a player herself.

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Considered the greatest two-sport athlete in UCLA history, Williams was the first woman to earn first-team All-American honors in both basketball and volleyball in the same year. She is an Olympic gold medalist and two-time World Cup Champion. Before joining the Aces, she was honored as Pac-10 Player of the Year, ABL MVP, and four-time WNBA All-Star. Williams is a recipient of the 2023 Outsports Power 100 award.

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The Utah native was coaching basketball in Salt Lake City at her successful Natalie Williams Basketball Academy when the call came to join the Aces.

“It was a pretty big business, and it was a challenge for me to give that up and one I didn’t want to give up,” Williams told Outsports in a previous report. “I definitely miss coaching the youth. It was an incredible joy for sure.”

In her new chapter with the Aces, Williams takes pride in empowering LGBTQ youth by being an example of what’s possible. She found a place to be her authentic self, celebrating her team’s Pride Night, which took place in June 2023 and attracted one of the largest crowds of the championship season.

“The biggest thing for me is that people like myself, and anyone in the WNBA, finds an avenue to somehow, with all of these amazing players in the league who are part of the community, reaches out to the youth who are struggling,” she said, per Outsports.

Israel’s First Black Beauty Queen Condemns ‘Black Lives Matter’ For Support Of Palestine

by Iman Milner

October 19, 2023

Israel’s First Black Beauty Queen Condemns ‘Black Lives Matter’ For Support Of Palestine

Israel’s first Black beauty queen, Yityish “Titi” Aynaw, is calling out the Black Lives Matter movement for not taking a stance against Hamas and, instead, voicing demands for a ceasefire against innocent Palestinians in Gaza, the New York Post reports.

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The Ethiopian-born model was crowned Miss Israel in 2013 and took to Instagram to express her disappointment in “Black Lives Matter,” which protested unjust police murders of innocent civilians, for its choice to support Palestine.

“I am so shocked by the response of Black Lives Matter regarding the terror attacks here in Israel,” Aynaw said. “I remember you screaming in the streets, ‘I can’t breathe. I want to inform you right now… who cannot breathe.”

She continued, discussing her thoughts on Black Lives Matter and who she believes the group supports.

“These groups — BLM — need to learn their facts,” she said, per the New York Post. “People need to learn who they’re really supporting, what they do to their own people, let alone Jews. They don’t care about saving lives. There are no human rights [with Hamas]. They kill their own — they also kill Muslims, Bedouins who serve in the army.”

The former Israelite beauty queen moved to the Middle East when she was 12 and later served in the Israel Defense Forces.

Aynaw’s post caused a stir amongst those who felt her criticisms were misdirected, incorrect and uneducated. “You can not expect an oppressed people in another country to lead the charge in a foreign conflict,” one Instagram user said.

“Many Black Americans are supporters, and many are seeking knowledge on the issue. The media is filtering what many of us see. But don’t attack an oppressed people for not leading the charge in the way you think they should.”

Racquet Club Brings Inclusivity To Tennis And Pickleball, Meet The Woman Behind The Movement

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 19, 2023

Racquet Club Brings Inclusivity To Tennis And Pickleball, Meet The Woman Behind The Movement

All-Love Racquet Club is a collective community and lifestyle brand dedicated to embracing inclusivity within sports like tennis, padel, and pickleball.

Founded by Erika Bond, the club is committed to championing diversity and ensuring that every player or fan, regardless of their background, finds a welcoming and authentic space to build community and culture. To serve its mission, a pop-up series was introduced in Long Beach, CA last month with a focus on breaking down barriers and creating a more diverse and accessible environment for those who may otherwise be isolated from the world of racquet sports.

With Bond being a former D1 tennis player and teaching pro at Rose Bowl Tennis Center in Los Angeles, she has been a driving force behind this initiative. She uses her seven-plus years of experience in public health, combined with her passion for tennis and the desire to empower all players and fans, regardless of their background, within the sport.

“The vision behind All-Love was born from my personal journey as a person of color in the world of tennis, both as a player and coach,” she told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“In many cases, sports and community naturally intertwine, but when you engage in a sport that wasn’t originally designed with you in mind, it can be an isolating experience. Through All-Love, my aim is to transform that narrative and create a welcoming space for anyone interested in racquet sports.

The tennis world has long been marred by a lack of diversity and inclusivity. Bond, recognizing the disparity, set out to change this narrative. Looking back at her career as a D1 tennis player at an HBCU, Bond was able to naturally cultivate her skillset in sports thanks to her supportive community.

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“I played tennis at Prairie View A&M University, a Historically Black College & University (HBCU). What I took most from that experience is how important culture and representation are for the success of our Black and Brown communities,” she said. “Not only did I gain teammates who have become lifelong friends and supporter, the people I met while studying Biology and pledging AKA (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.) have also helped shape much of who I am today.”

She continued.

“When you are in an environment that looks like you, the freedom and safety to express yourself, learn, and grow are felt so strongly – and that feeling is the heart of what I am trying to create for the tennis community through All-Love.”

Through tennis activations/events and partnerships with schools and foundations, All-Love aims to provide opportunities for underrepresented youth in racquet sports. Plans to expand the initiative include a flagship core merch collection and opening a physical tennis club in Los Angeles that will serve as its headquarters before scaling in key cities around the US and internationally.

“It is my hope that the All-Love Racquet Club becomes a leading voice in the conversation about inclusivity and diversity in the tennis community,” she said.

“I want All-Love to be representative of everyone and become a platform for impact amongst diverse populations.”

by Atiya Jordan

October 19, 2023

IRS Set To Rollout Free File Tax Return Pilot In January

Ahead of tax time, the IRS wants to iron out its products first.

The IRS is reportedly planning to release its pilot electronic free file tax return system in January 2024. The rollout will allow select taxpayers across 13 states to try out the new system, according to The Associated Press.

IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel told the news outlet that the agency has decided to roll out the pilot program in increments to examine “how products like this are rolled out in the private sector.” In order to determine the usefulness of the program, Werfel added how “imperative” it is to make sure it is an “easy- to-understand pilot.” The direct-file pilot participation will be voluntary and completely optional, the IRS previously shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The program was established after the IRS was granted nine months and $15 million from the Inflation Reduction Act to publish a feasibility report. In May, the agency reported on “taxpayer interest in direct file, how the system could work, its potential cost, operational challenges and more,” per AP.

With assistance from nonprofits, congressional offices, and states, the IRS can identify taxpayers who are are eligible to test out the government-run option.

“Our work to evaluate the feasibility of direct file is just one of many examples of how we’re working to transform the IRS,” Werfel said, per AP.

In collaboration with organizations including Code for America, IRS officials are planning to collaborate with Arizona, California, Massachusetts and New York for filing season 2024 to integrate state taxes into the program.

However, the decision to move forward with the dissemination of the pilot has sparked concerns among the industry. From Turbo Tax Live to H&R Block, private tax preparation companies would be competing. Among this group includes Black accountants.

Back in June, BE reported on claims that that free tax prep could hurt Black Americans.The IRS stated in a letter in May 2023 that “Black taxpayers are audited at three to five times the rate of non-Black taxpayers,” an analysis that confirms research by Stanford University.

Critics claims that if the “IRS’ new role is the tax assessor, collector, preparer, and enforcer, that puts more taxpayers from vulnerable communities at risk of being treated unfairly and potentially not receiving their full tax refund,” BE reported.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 19, 2023

Coach Prime Welcomes Young Dolph’s 9 Year Old Son During Colorado Game

The city of Boulder and the Sanders family bore witness to a visit by 9-year-old Tre Tre Thornton, son of the late rapper Young Dolph. Against the backdrop of a tough loss for the Colorado Buffaloes on Oct. 13, Tre Tre’s appearance still created a memorable scene for all in attendance, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Tre Tre Thornton graced the event decked out in the No. 2 diamond chain of Shedeur Sanders. This unique experience marked a significant moment for the budding entrepreneur. Young Thornton recently launched BMDTGO, a venture that’s garnered attention and success, primarily with the “King of Memphis” collection.

To add to the significance, Tre’s mother, Mia Jaye, joined the gathering in Boulder to support this noteworthy endeavor.

In a touching interaction, young Tre eagerly approached Deion Sanders on the field during pregame warm-ups, dropping to his knees for an affectionate hug.

Deion Sanders, taking to social media on a Monday morning, expressed gratitude to Mia Jaye for allowing Dolph’s son to be a part of the Buffaloes’ extended family. This occasion reminded the public of the death of Young Dolph, whose real name was Adolph Thornton Jr., nearly two years ago. The music world mourned his loss when he was fatally shot during a visit to a Memphis bakery. His untimely death sent shockwaves across the globe and impacted the Sanders family.

While the Colorado Buffaloes may have endured a tough loss, the heartwarming presence of Tre Tre Thornton and his connection with Sanders added depth and significance to the night in Boulder. After a week off, the Buffaloes head to Los Angeles for a meeting with the 25th-ranked UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 19, 2023

Tupac’s Brother Reveals Diddy Personally Denied Involvement In Pac’s Murder

Tupac Shakur’s older brother, Mopreme Shakur, recently shed light on a personal conversation he had with Sean “Diddy” Combs concerning Diddy’s alleged involvement in the murder of the rap icon.

Mopreme revisited the details of this conversation during an interview on “The Art of Dialogue,” a platform that had previously hosted Tupac murder suspect Keefe D. The interview provided intriguing insights into a critical chapter of hip-hop history, TMZ reported.

Mopreme recollected a phone call with Diddy and his desire for a direct, “man-to-man” conversation about his noninvolvement in Tupac’s 1996 murder. The call reportedly occurred in the early 2000s, coinciding with the publication of a 2008 Los Angeles Times story by Chuck Philips which implicated Diddy in the tragic murder of Tupac but was later discredited after FBI reports cited in the story were revealed to be falsified.

The interview offered a unique glimpse into Mopreme’s ongoing quest for answers surrounding his brother’s untimely demise. Keefe, a central figure in the investigation into Tupac’s murder, had previously hinted at Diddy’s involvement behind the scenes, further complicating the narrative. With Keefe’s potential future trial and testimony hanging in the balance, it remains uncertain how the story will unfold.

As the hip-hop community and the public continue to grapple with these mysteries, the desire for an official verdict remains palpable.

🤦‍♂️LMAO 😆Brother Love, show some love. Damn should have just sent this fool a few dollars. #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi pic.twitter.com/vXWeHFbe04

— 50cent (@50cent) October 15, 2023

In Keefe D ‘s video interview with “The Art of Dialogue,” he expressed his grievances against Diddy, accusing him of negatively impacting his life. Keefe D also vented his frustration on camera about not receiving any financial support from Diddy.

When asked to elaborate on how his life was on an upswing before encountering Puffy, Keefe D, an admitted drug dealer, detailed, “I was thriving, man. I was moving 300 kilos a month, living large. Everything was smooth. Then I met you, and all the heat and chaos came with you.”

He added an appeal to Diddy, who also goes by “Love.”

“Brother Love, extend some goodwill,” said Keefe D. “That’s all I’m asking, show some love, Brother Love! I’ve seen you doing your little dance. Extend some kindness, don’t be like that, Brother Love. I was on top of the world before I crossed paths with you. It’s not right! Come on, man, I need some help. Throw me a bone or something. For heaven’s sake! You’re talking about your Daddy Love, show us some love!”

Navy Officer Faces Death Penalty After Alleged Kidnap And Murder Lover’s Baby’s Mother And Child

by Sharelle Burt

October 19, 2023

Navy Officer Faces Death Penalty After Alleged Kidnap And Murder Lover’s Baby’s Mother And Child

A U.S. Navy petty officer is looking at a possible death sentence after being accused of a murder-for-hire scheme that resulted in the death of a woman and her 10-month-old baby in Jamaica, NBC News reports.

Leoda Vanessa Bradshaw, 34, was indicted early October 2023 for her involvement in the kidnapping and murders of Toshyna Patterson, 27, and her 10-month-old daughter, Sarayah Paulwell. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in Kingston said in a news release that Bradshaw was in a relationship and had a child with Phillip Paulwell, member of Parliament from Kingston East. She considered Paulwell her spouse.

According to prosecutors, Sarayah Paulwell was also Phillip Paulwell’s child.

Prosecutors in the case claim Navy Petty Officer Bradshaw traveled to Jamaica on Sept. 6 with a plan involving three men, Richard Brown, Roshane Miller and cousin Roland Balfour, to kidnap and kill Patterson and the baby. The plans were made through conversations between Sept. 6 and Sept. 9, with the murder plot allegedly carried out on Sept. 9. Bradshaw kidnapped the victims from their home and delivered them to the men in St. Andrew, Jamaica.

During a press conference, Jamaica Constabulary Force Deputy Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey referred to the case as “one of the most painful investigations” after revealing that the bodies were burned and disposed of.

Bradshaw was indicted on two counts of conspiracy to kidnap, two counts of conspiracy to murder, two counts of kidnapping, and two counts of capital murder. Brown, Miller and Balfour were indicted on several charges, including conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, murder and accessory before the fact to kidnapping.

Phillip Paulwell posted a picture of the victims on Instagram on Sept. 15, shortly after their kidnapping, with a lengthy caption describing his feelings.

“The last week has been very horrific for me,” he wrote.

“I have dealt with many things in my life, but the disappearance of my daughter and her mother is by far the most difficult thing I have ever had to navigate.”

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Bradshaw released a statement claiming she was innocent and that her involvement with the victim was solely online.

“On Tuesday, September 5, I received an email from a Jessicadean568@gmail.comadvising me ‘she’ has been trying to contact me for months on Facebook to inform me that Ms. Patterson had a child with Phillip,” Bradshaw wrote, according to Atlanta Black Star.

“I spoke to Phillip and he confirmed that he had a brief relationship with Ms. Patterson and it is possible that the child was his but he was not certain as a DNA test had not yet been done.” Bradshaw said Patterson searched for her on LinkedIn twice before the emails started, and she decided to reach out directly to discuss the possibility of her baby being Paulwell’s child.

In a statement, the Navy confirmed that Bradshaw was a petty officer assigned to a talent acquisition team in Miami and “takes all allegations of misconduct seriously.”

The BOSS Network & Sage Releases Groundbreaking Report Addressing Challenges Atlanta-Based Black Women Founders Face

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 19, 2023

The BOSS Network & Sage Releases Groundbreaking Report Addressing Challenges Atlanta-Based Black Women Founders Face

*Originally reported by Blacknews

Nationwide — The BOSS Network — an online community of professional and entrepreneurial women who support each other through conversation, online, and event-based networking — has released a report entitled “Voices of Strength: Pathways to Success for Black Women Founders.”
Released in partnership with Sage – the leader in accounting, financial, HR, and payroll technology for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) – this groundbreaking report identifies the most prominent challenges facing Black women founders in Atlanta, including a lack of access to funding through grants and government resources, mentorship, and the ability to digitally scale their businesses for growth. Findings were from a joint study with insights from 40 Black women entrepreneurs, all founders of small businesses within the metro Atlanta area.

Access to Capital, Digitalization, and Mentorship as Biggest Challenges

Despite Black women being the fastest-growing community of successful entrepreneurs in the US, with a growth rate of over 18% since 2017, only five percent of the surveyed founders have been able to secure funding through business loans or venture capital funds. Additionally, only 20% were familiar with the process to apply for and receive funding through government grants. While access to capital remains a key barrier for growth among this group, there is also a large gap in mentorship and training in the intricacies of social media algorithms to garner a return on investment from social media efforts.

Although the report found that challenges among Black founders heavily impacted success, results also demonstrated the resiliency and enthusiasm among founders. Of those surveyed, 88% were optimistic about the future of their business, driven by confidence and their personal and community passions to improve the lives of others and deliver an impact greater than themselves.

“It’s through important partnerships with companies like Sage that we are able to effectively shine a light on the struggles that Black women founders face in an exponential way,” said Dr. Cameka Smith, founder of The BOSS Network. “We hope this report will inspire businesses and corporations in Atlanta and beyond to take meaningful action in support of Black women business owners to achieve success for the betterment of our economic development.”

To address the challenge of lack of capital and drive immediate change among Black founders in Atlanta, Sage and the BOSS Network launched the “Invest in Progress” program in 2022. This research is essential to extending our work to ensure continued support of Black women founders. It is dedicated to fostering a pipeline of funding, mentorship, and access to Sage technologies to help founders grow and scale their businesses. Sage has committed to providing funds through the grant program to support and drive the resilience and passion within this group of dynamic women.

In addition, Sage and The BOSS Network are announcing a new partnership with Swoop, a prominent global fintech company specializing in funding solutions. This collaborative endeavor, made possible through the Sage Foundation, is designed to further empower this community of entrepreneurs, in direct response to the insights uncovered in the Voices of Strength report. It will encompass personalized financial training programs and enhanced access to capital resources.

Through this strategic alliance, the organizations will offer:

• Up to 150 women entrepreneurs in Atlanta will be provided a 3-year membership to The BOSS Network and 1 year of training access for up to 150 Atlanta women founders (including the commission) giving them access to The BOSS Network, resources, support, and events.

• 7+ grants from the Invest in Progress program to go to founders in Atlanta (valued at up to $70K)

• Custom trainings through BOSS Business University, Sage, and SWOOP for the Atlanta cohort of Invest in Progress recipients in response to the themes identified in the report, including finance training and resources for access to capital.

by Daniel Johnson

October 19, 2023

55-Year-Old Lyft Driver Sexually Assaulted In Georgia

Antonio Cartagena, a 25-year-old Macon, Georgia resident, was arrested after being accused of sexually assaulting a Lyft driver. According to The Telegraph, the Duluth Police Department says that Cartagena groped a driver who was transporting him on Oct. 10, and also performed “lewd acts” in the back seat of the car.

Police say Cartagena reached over from his position in the back seat and began inappropriately touching the 55-year-old woman who was driving for the rideshare company. According to the driver, she turned around and saw that he was half-undressed and performing vulgar acts.

A spokesperson for Lyft emphasized their commitment to driver safety, telling The Telegraph, “Safety is fundamental to Lyft. The behavior described is reprehensible and has no place in the Lyft community or anywhere in society. We permanently banned the individual from the Lyft platform and have reached out to the driver to offer our support.”

Following his attack on the driver, Cartagena fled on foot but was later captured and held in Gwinnett County Jail on $11,400 bond, which he paid.

Lyft’s website says Lyft connects its drivers to ADT security in emergency situations and also remotely monitors rides in real time.

According to Employee Benefit News, two-thirds of rideshare drivers reported being harassed in 2022, and the problem was acutely worse for drivers of color. Of the drivers of color surveyed, 86% reported being called a racial, ethnic, or religious slur.

Joan Moriarty, director of strategic research and campaigns at the Strategic Organizing Center, told the outlet, “These statistics are just from the last 12 months, and it’s not that something has changed in the last year,” Moriarty said.

“It’s that the corporate policies of Uber and Lyft force workers to accept rides they don’t feel are safe and don’t let them stop rides in the middle if they’re being harassed.”

Moriarty also said that the platforms place drivers like the 55-year-old woman in a precarious position because they have to choose between their safety and their position on the platform.

“They literally have to choose between their own livelihoods and safety,” Moriarty told Employee Benefit News.

“Drivers depend on this income to survive and have their families survive. So when forced to make these choices, they’ll choose to put themselves at risk.”

Moriarty said that rideshare companies have to get serious about their drivers’ safety.

“Both Lyft and Uber really actively promote their passenger safety measures,” she said, contrasting passenger well-being with the lack of consideration for the platforms’ drivers.

“Driver safety is not antithetical to passenger safety, and companies are going to really need to take a hard look at their policies.”

by Jameelah Mullen

October 19, 2023

Halle Bailey Proves That She Is Indeed A ‘Game Changer’

Singer and actress Halle Bailey was honored at 2023 Glamour Women of the Year event and walked away with the 2023 Woman of the Year Gen Z Game Changer award.

The Grammy award nominee attended the star-studded event with her beau, rapper DDG. Bailey wore a stunning black velvet strapless mini dress, designed by Nicole + Felicia Couture, that featured an underskirt of satiny white roses, a signature concept for the designers.

“When I hear the word ‘game-changer,’ I think of rewriting the rules and setting up a whole new board game,” the 23-year-old told Glamour.

“This is the world that our children will one day live in, and we want it to be beautiful for them. And we know that we have the power in our hands; that we can make a difference by speaking up and speaking out.“

The multi-hyphenate star accepted the award on behalf of the women who came before her and the women who will come after.

She later took to Instagram to express her gratitude for the honor.

“i’m so grateful that I was honored with the Glamour Woman of the Year Gen Z Game-Changer award ❣️✨this is such a special honor to me and feels oh so amazing to be recognized for the work that I have put in all the years of my career.” Bailey continued, “being a young woman in the spotlight is definitely not for the weak.. but because of God, my loved ones and mentors I am able to face the world everyday with my head held high.”

Bailey became the ultimate game changer when she landed the lead role in the film adaptation of the Disney classic The Little Mermaid.

As of September 2023, the successful film had grossed $569 million. The actress spoke to USA Today about her impactful role.

“What truly strikes my heart and makes me just cry are seeing the reactions of the babies and the children and the beautiful Black, brown boys and girls who see themselves in this character, in this new version of Ariel,” she said.