Uncle Nearest , whiskey, fawn weaver, barriers business
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 2, 2024

Fawn Weaver Gives Sound Advice To Beyoncé And LeBron James On Entering The Whiskey Game

The Black woman behind the best-selling African American-founded spirit brand of all time is advising Beyoncé and LeBron James on entering the spirits industry.

The Black woman behind the best-selling African American-founded spirits brand of all time had just five words in response to Beyoncé and LeBron James entering the spirits industry: “Take all of their money.” Fawn Weaver, the CEO of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey and Grant Sidney, Inc. (GSI), gladly welcomed Beyoncé and LeBron James into the Black-owned spirits sector.

On Tuesday, the serial entrepreneur and investor took to Instagram to post a video filmed at her Nearest Green Distillery in Shelbyville, Tennessee, advising the “King” and “Queen” on their spirits endeavors.

“So many of you have been asking me, how do I feel about Beyoncé’s new whiskey partnership with Moet Hennessy? And how do I feel about LeBron’s new Moet Hennessy partnership on Cognac? We all around these parts in Tennessee, we have nothing but love for the king and for our queen,” Weaver said while picking up two crowns.

“But since y ‘all are entering the industry, I do have one piece of advice if you would like to take it. Take all their money.”

Weaver and her diverse cohorts then hopped on their horses and rode off into the sunset while Warren G’s “Regulate” played in the background. In her caption, she explained her mindset further as “big spirit conglomerates” partner with big-name celebrities to push new whiskey and cognac brands that might not necessarily be completely Black-owned.

“All love and respect. 🙏🏽 Welcome to two of the greatest industries in the world—American Whiskey and Cognac.” Weaver wrote.

“To my #Village who have expressed concern over the past few weeks about what you perceive as some of the big spirit conglomerates trying to slow the growth of @unclenearest: Fear not, as I certainly am not. 🙏🏽 They haven’t been able to, and they will never be able to because of YOU.”

Weaver continued. “And they will soon learn what you already know: We are not playing checkers. We are not playing chess. We are playing Go. Expanding territory for every future generation.”

The bold and fierce video message received praise from viewers who loved how Weaver supported Beyoncé and LeBron James on their new spirits brands instead of sending shade.

“Collaboration over Competition. There is enough $$$$ for everyone. No scarcity mindset here,” one supporter wrote.

“Take it all,” added someone else.

The “Love and Whiskey” author founded Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey in 2016 after learning about the previously unknown master whiskey distiller, Uncle Nearest, a formerly enslaved man who taught Jack Daniel how to make Tennessee whiskey. Since its inception, Uncle Nearest has raked in accolades, including becoming the fastest-growing American whiskey brand in U.S. history, the best-selling African American-founded spirits brand of all time, and the Most Awarded American Whiskey of 2021.

But now Weaver will be sharing her territory as Beyoncé continues to promote her newly launched SirDavis American Whiskey. The whiskey is named after her great-grandfather, Davis Hogue, a Prohibition-era moonshiner and farmer in the American South. The “Cuff It” singer recently hosted a star-studded launch party in Paris that she shared on Instagram.

The launch party came on the heels of Hennessy announcing its limited-edition collection of V.S. & V.S.O.P, titled “Hennessy Limited Editions by LeBron James.” The limited-edition bottles celebrate LeBron’s influence on and off the court through an artistic portrait of the basketball legend in purple and orange. The iconic Hennessy Bras Armé is also reimagined through a sleeve showcasing LeBron with his signature crown.

“As an admirer of Hennessy and its iconic brand, I’ve always appreciated its commitment to basketball and how it celebrates the sport’s influence on and off the court,” LeBron said in a statement.

“I was fortunate enough to visit the Maison in Cognac a while back, and seeing the care and craftsmanship that go into creating each bottle was pretty incredible. This collaboration represents a shared sense of dedication and discovery coming to life for everyone to enjoy.”

RELATED CONTENT: Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Makes Powerful Inc. 5000 List

Charles Barkley, TNT, Inside the NBA
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 2, 2024

Charles Barkley To Launch Round Mound Media Production Company Despite Staying On TNT

Barkley will partner will EverWonder Studios as he seeks to create original content through his new company.

Charles Barkley is expanding his own empire while continuing his co-hosting stint on TNT. The basketball legend has announced the launch of Round Mound Media, his own production company.

Barkley will partner will EverWonder Studios as he seeks to create original content ranging from scripted to documentaries to live features.

He has launched this endeavor despite revealing that he passed up $100 million to keep co-hosting TNT’s Inside The NBA. His future with the network became in jeopardy after TNT lost the rights to broadcast NBA games after the 2024-25 season. Despite this, Barkley remains adamant on building his own vision for future projects, as reported by Variety.

“Round Mound Media is about creating an outlet for my vision to share compelling, original stories meant to captivate audiences across the world,” said Barkley, according to the outlet. “I’ve always looked for projects and relationships that will allow me to be authentic, and hopefully to build my platform for making the world a better place. EverWonder Studio is the perfect partner to be my creative home and bring this to the next level. Fans will love what we have in the works and I’m excited to get started.”

“With this new joint venture we have the backing of a studio that understands and believes in Charles’s creative vision, and will elevate his prolific ideas,” shared Round Mound Media’s president, Marc Perman, who has managed Barkley for years. “EverWonder is an excellent partner to amplify Charles’s unmatched voice and perspective in a way that fans and audiences haven’t seen before, and we can’t wait to bring these new opportunities to screen.”

EverWonder shared that fans can expect to be “surprised” by what content emerges from Barkley. The 61-year-old explore stories beyond sports.

“Most people probably first think of Charles as an athlete and a broadcast talent, but his passions are so much greater than that. This will be a great outlet for him to have,” shared Ian Orefice, CEO of EverWonder

Round Mound Media will also receive financial backing from RedBird IMI, a private equity company founded by Jeff Zucker. Ten projects are reportedly udnerway by the company, including a in-depth documentary on Barkley’s life.

RELATED CONTENT: Charles Barkley Paid $100K Toward Donation To New Orleans Prep School

JD Vance, Tim Walz
by Sharelle B. McNair

October 2, 2024

Social Media Reacts To Vance And Walz’s ‘Polite’ Banter During VP Debate

Who do you think won?

Social media users and critics took notice of the differences between vice presidential candidates, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, during the debate, The Guardian reported. 

The debate, which was moderated by CBS News correspondents Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan on Oct. 1, showcased a number of hot political topics ranging from the unfolding crisis in the Middle East, abortion restrictions, and Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump accepting the results of the 2020 election. 

Both Vance and Walz began the debate by seemingly showing equal respect for one another and as the event went on, the opposing candidates seemed to agree to disagree on key topics concerning American voters. Their politeness was clearly different from that of the presidential debate between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris on Sept. 10. It caught the attention of social media users, labeling the VP debate as “refreshing.” “Honestly the VP debate so far is much better than the entirety of the last Presidential debate,” @litcapital said on X. 

“Two people actually answering questions is refreshing and it’s sad that this isn’t the norm.” 

However, that didn’t stop critics from pointing out some flaws. Vance was called out for telling viewers about his life story, including tales of his mother’s drug addiction, which he constantly brings up when speaking about immigration. During that segment of the night, the Senator claimed he would often go hungry as a child because of his mother’s addiction and blamed it on debt. One X user alleged it was the drug use that kept the family in debt. “To be fair, your mom was in debt because she was buying drugs instead of feeding y’all,” @zibaddiejad93 said. 

https://twitter.com/Zibaddiejad93/status/1841291747927998468

Perhaps Vance’s biggest flaw of the night was his continuous blame of policies on the Kamala Harris administration. A number of viewers, including actress Yvette Nicole Brown, picked on the VP nominee for his lack of knowledge. Since Harris isn’t the president yet, none of the policies mentioned during the debate fell under her reign. “Can someone tell that Smokey-eyed weirdo that @kamalaharris doesn’t (yet!) have an administration?!” she wrote. 

Senator Dayna Polehanki also showcased how her colleague failed to admit that Trump lost the election in 2020 and celebrated Walz for not backing down. 

While critics pointed out that both nominees did fairly well, Walz was dubbed the big winner of the night. MSNBC host Joy Ann Reid labeled Vance’s performance as “nothing memorable” but said the former football coach and state governor proved himself as “reliable.” 

Walz received major points for his takes on healthcare, gun control, and abortion regulation. He mentioned the story of Amber Thurman, the young Black woman who lost her life due to Georgia’s dangerous abortion laws. Ben Crump, the civil rights attorney representing her family, released a statement on their behalf. “The fight for justice for Amber is a fight for every woman’s right to make decisions about her own body and access the medical care she needs,” the statement read. 

“We will not stop until these dangerous laws are repealed, and no more lives are lost. Until then, we must keep saying her name: Amber Thurman!”

According to Newsweek, his performance earned him a boost in favorability poll results. A flash poll conducted by CNN and SSRS revealed the Minnesota governor received a  23-point boost — going from 14 to 37, in comparison to Vance’s 19-point increase.

RELATED CONTENT: 52 HBCU FOOTBALL LEGENDS ENDORSE HARRIS-WALZ TICKET AS ELECTION DAY NEARS

Atlanta Hawks, State Farm Arena, Job Fair
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 2, 2024

Atlanta Hawks Sign Former HBCU Player Joirdon Nicholas

The former Texas Southern University player has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the NBA team.

The Atlanta Hawks recently gave an opportunity to a former HBCU basketball player who had been waived from a G League team.

According to HBCU Gameday, Joirdon Karl Nicholas, who attended and played basketball for Texas Southern University, has signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Atlanta Hawks. Sporting News explains that an Exhibit 10 contract is a one-year, minimum salary deal that allows NBA teams to turn the contract into a Two-Way deal.

After being undrafted after leaving TSU, HBCU Legends reported that Nicholas played with the South Bay Lakers for the 2023-24 season in the NBA G League. He played in 39 games while starting in 16. Nicholas averaged 8.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while playing 19 minutes per game.

Nicholas played in the 2024 NBA Summer League for the South Bay Lakers but was waived and will be joining the College Park Skyhawks of the G League.

According to Hoop Rumors, Nicholas also played for the Zonkeys de Tijuana Mexican basketball team during the 2023-24 season, appearing in 19 games. He averaged 10 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists.

Nicholas started his collegiate career when he attended the University of Montana. He played 30 games in his first and only year at the school, where he helped the team win a Big Sky Conference championship. He then transferred to Stephen F. Austin for a season before taking his talent to Texas Southern University. While playing for TSU, he helped the team win several championships in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) and made multiple NCAA tournament appearances. Nicholas helped TSU score an important and historic win when they defeated the Florida Gators, the first SWAC victory over a ranked SEC team.

The former HBCU player earned All-SWAC honors. In his senior season, he averaged 10.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game, leading TSU to another SWAC championship.

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Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Pras
by Kandiss Edwards

October 2, 2024

Lauryn Hill Responds To Pras Michel’s Fraud Allegations

Lauryn Hill took to Instagram to defend herself against fraud accusations made by former band mate Pras Michel.

On Oct. 1, Lauryn Hill broke her silence about the lawsuit filed against her by Fugees bandmate Pras Michel. Michel claims that Hill is at fault for the implosion of The Fugees Tour.

According to Vibe, the lawsuit alleges that Hill engaged in “fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract,” and other violations. The songstress took to Instagram to defend herself and vehemently deny the allegations.

The embattled femcee stated that the lawsuit is baseless and “notably omits that [Michel] was advanced overpayment” and has yet to return those funds. The New Jersey native spoke about her attempts to make sure her bandmate was compensated appropriately amid his legal struggles. Hill says the tour celebrated the 25th anniversary of her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

She also added The Fugees to the tour, an altruistic gesture to help support Michel as he battles legal matters.

“The tour was expanded to incorporate the Fugees because I found out that Pras was in trouble and would need money to aid his legal defense,” Hill posted.

Hill states that she and Fugees member Wyclef Jean attempted to shoulder the majority of costs associated with the tour. According to Hill, the goal was to limit Michel’s financial burden.

Hill reiterated, “Pras, basically, just had to show up and perform.”

Hill’s attempt to help Michel monetarily stemmed from his legal troubles with the federal government. In April 2023, Michel was found guilty of 10 federal crimes, including conspiracy, witness tampering, and failing to register as an agent of China. As Michel’s musical career waned, he became enmeshed in politics. According to NPR reporting, his dealings with a Malaysian billionaire, Jho Low, led to his current troubles.

Michel allegedly used “illegal foreign money to buy seats for people at fundraisers to help reelect then-President Obama,” NPR reported. Well-known celebrities, including Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions and actor Leonardo DiCaprio, testified to Michel’s actions. The former rapper attempted to get a new trial, citing ineffective counsel and AI technology as the cause for his failed defense.

“Michel argued that the use of the “experimental” generative AI program was one of several errors made by his “unqualified, unprepared and ineffectual,” AP News said.

A federal judge denied the request for a new trial in August 2024. While legal fees are piling up, the Fugees Tour will not add to Michel’s legal coffers. If his allegations against Ms. Hill prove credible, he may receive a financial windfall to aid in his defense.

RELATED CONTENT: Lauryn Hill’s ‘Miseducation’ Crowned ‘Greatest Album Of All Time’

Ohio mom, Michigan, Darren, Dawson, Ohio, tortured closet, social security, Juvenile jails, ex cons for trump
by Daniel Johnson

October 2, 2024

Sexual Abuse In NYC Juvenile Jails At The Center Of New Lawsuits

In the lawsuits, former New York City juvenile jail detainees are detailing acts of sexual violence against them, some of the accusations go as far back as the 1960s while others are more recent.

Hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse at New York City juvenile jails are at the center of 425 lawsuits filed under the Gender Motivated Violence Act (GMVA), enacted to allow victims of sexual abuse to attempt to hold those who violated their bodies accountable.

According to The Gothamist, in these lawsuits, former New York City juvenile jail detainees are detailing acts of sexual violence against them; some of the accusations go as far back as the 1960s, while others are more recent.

Jerome Block, an attorney with Levy Konigsberg, a law firm that filed close to 170 lawsuits alleging abuse at the city’s jails, said the abuse was upheld by a system, not individual bad actors.

“We’re seeing a pattern and practice of institutional sexual abuse,” Block told the outlet. “It’s very concerning that the city and local prosecutors had investigated Tony Simmons, had charged him with sexually abusing several victims, and that they did not uncover the full scope of his sexual abuse.”

Simmons, according to several lawsuits filed under the GMVA, allegedly sexually abused seven former detainees while working as a counselor for several city jails.

The former detainees accusing Simmons say that the counselor assaulted them wherever he found opportunity and license, including transport vans and parking garages or elevators located in New York City courthouses.

According to Amina Carter, one of Simmons’ accusers, part of the reason that Simmons was allowed to get away with his abuse for years was the identities and social positions of his alleged victims.

“It was so rampant,” Carter told the outlet. “You knew who he was touching because he brought them snacks. When you’re a Black or Spanish prostitute runaway, nobody cares about you. You don’t care about you. So why would they care about you? That’s the culture there.”

Stephanie Gendell, a New York City Administration for Children’s Services spokesperson, now oversees the juvenile jail system. However, the allegations predate the administration’s involvement; the alleged crimes are unacceptable.

“Sexual abuse and harassment is abhorrent and unacceptable,” Gendell told The Gothamist in a written statement. “While these incidents predate this administration and ACS’s involvement with juvenile justice, we take these allegations very seriously.”

RELATED CONTENT: City of Philadelphia And Juvenile Justice Services Center Play Blame Game Over Declining Juvenile Facility

Youth jobs
by Mitti Hicks

October 2, 2024

Federal Government Invests $20 Million To Create Youth Jobs

Organizations have to be either a state or locally operated affiliate organization to receive the grant money from the U.S. Department of Labor to serve youth ages between 14 and 21.

Youth in America will soon have more access to better-paying jobs and opportunities. The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is investing $20 million to create jobs and work opportunities for youth after school and during the summer.

The Workforce Pathways for Youth demonstration grants will allow organizations to expand local work-based learning opportunities, job training, and career pathways for national out-of-school time organizations, the DOL announced in a news release. 

Organizations have to be either state- or locally-operated affiliate organizations to receive the grant money from the DOL to serve youth ages between 14 and 21.

“Through partnerships with the workforce system, out-of-school time organizations introduce youth to career-related services, including work-based learning experiences and occupational skills training,” the DOL states. “They also provide paid employment opportunities that help youth gain foundational skills for success in post-secondary education and employment.”

The program goes a step further by acknowledging the barriers some working youth may have, such as getting back and forth between work, so the program also encourages its partners to provide supportive services, including transportation and emergency services.

This latest round of grant money is authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to creating opportunities that connect people with good jobs, all while supporting the department’s initiative of supporting young adults entering the workforce.

Why This Matters?

A recent analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics confirmed that the youth suicide and homicide rates among young adults between 10 and 24 have increased over the last decade.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), while youth homicide rates vary dramatically between and within countries, homicides are the third leading cause of death for youth between the ages of 15 and 29.

WHO says developing life skills, interventions to reduce concentrated poverty, and upgrading urban environments are some ways to help prevent homicides and suicides in youth.

RELATED CONTENT: Groundbreaking New Orleans Program That Gives Teens $50 Per Week Expands

Oklahoma pastor
by Daniel Johnson

October 2, 2024

Oklahoma Pastor Arrested, Allegedly Confessed To Molesting His Daughter

Bailey allegedly described himself in text messages with his wife as a “felon,” “child molester,” “rapist,” “unfaithful husband,” and as an “uncommitted father.”

Bertheophilus Maurice Bailey, a Tulsa, Oklahoma, pastor at St. Andrew Christian Church, was charged in Tulsa County District Court on Sept. 25 on two counts of first-degree rape, child sexual abuse, incest, forcible sodomy, and robbery.

According to The Roys Report, Bailey allegedly described himself in text messages with his wife as a “felon,” “child molester,” “rapist,” “unfaithful husband,” and an “uncommitted father.” Bailey also reportedly texted his wife that he believes that he “should go straight to hell” when he dies.

The party accusing the Oklahoma pastor of these heinous crimes is his daughter, Harmony Bailey Oates, now an adult. Oates detailed her reasons for coming forward in a Sept. 17 Facebook post. As a result of the post, a second victim of Bailey has come forth.

“As a victim of sexual and mental abuse at the hands of my dad (Pastor Bailey) for over a decade, I feel compelled to warn others about his predatory behavior. Despite his status as a respected member of the community, it is essential to shed light on his actions to prevent further harm to unsuspecting individuals.” Oates wrote.

Oates continued, “For too long, I suffered in silence, afraid of the repercussions of speaking out against someone with such influence and power. However, I have come to realize that silence only perpetuates the cycle of abuse, and it is crucial to break free from the chains of fear and shame.”

According to an affidavit obtained by the outlet, Oates first reported what happened to her in 2023 but did not press any charges at the time. Oates reportedly told the police that Bailey’s sexual abuse, marked by inappropriate touching of her body, began when she was in the sixth grade and turned into rape when she turned 16 or 17 years old.

Bailey remains in custody at the Tulsa County Jail and is being held on a $500,000 bond. He is no longer the pastor at St. Andrew Christian Church, where he had been the pastor since 2018. When reached for comment by The Roys Report, a church receptionist informed the outlet that they had no comment about Bailey at this time.

RELATED CONTENT: Nanny Who Sexually Assaulted Young Boys Sentenced To 700 Years

Chris Brown, Net Worth, Burger King Franchises, investment, business, net worth, money
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

October 2, 2024

Domestic Violence Documentary On ID Network To Feature Chris Brown’s Past Trangressions

The feature will dissect Brown's rise in the music industry as well as multiple instances and claims of domestic abuse.

The controversial history of Chris Brown takes focus in a new domestic violence documentary on the Investigation Discovery (ID) Network.

“Chris Brown: A History Of Violence” will be released on Investigation Discovery on Oct. 27 as part of its third annual “No Excuse for Abuse” campaign. The feature will dissect Brown’s rise in the music industry as well as multiple instances and claims of domestic abuse.

“Chris Brown: A History of Violence” will chart “Chris Brown’s past to his troubled childhood, explore the lasting impact of the cycle of abuse, and pose the question: how does a man with such a violent public record maintain his superstar status,” questioned the logline. “With expert and cultural commentary layered throughout, the documentary provides thoughtful reflections into each survivor’s experience and the psychological destruction in the aftermath of their abuse.”

The entertainer remains a big name in R&B and pop. However, his then-emerging career took a significant hit when he assaulted his ex-girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009.

As pics of Rihanna’s battered face went public, Brown became a short-term pariah in Hollywood. After accepting a guilty plea, the singer continued to make music while also proceeding to cause trouble. Since the incident, Brown garnered other claims against him for alleged assaults, physical and sexual, toward women. His former partner post-Rihanna, actress Karrueche Tran, also filed a restraining order against him.

The documentary trailer also revealed that a new accuser is ready to come forward about Brown’s actions toward her. The unidentified person spoke on the clip, stating they were doing so to stop Brown.

“I have not spoken about this matter publicly, but that’s the only way he can be stopped,” the accuser says in the trailer.

Following its premiere, “The View” co-host Sunny Hostin will host a conversation surrounding intimate partner violence.

“Throughout my career, I have always prioritized being a fierce defender of women and children,” Hostin said in a statement obtained by Variety. “Domestic violence is a very close, personal issue to me as I reflect on my past as a prosecutor of these types of cases and in my role as a mother and public figure whose actions inform and help shape the next generation. This issue is a prevalent epidemic which knows no socio-economic boundaries, so I am dedicated to expanding and continuing this crucial conversation. The more we know, the better we can help advocate for change as a society.”    

However, the network will not only detail Brown’s controversies. ID has additional plans to release a documentary focused on Sean “Diddy” Combs and his allegations of sexual misconduct. The same network previously released the viral “Quiet on Set” documentary, which shocked millions after revealing the abuse of famous child stars.

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Roy Clay Sr., Known As The ‘Godfather Of Silicon Valley’ For Breaking Racial Barriers, Dies At 95
by Sharelle B. McNair

October 2, 2024

Roy Clay Sr., Known As The ‘Godfather Of Silicon Valley’ For Breaking Racial Barriers, Dies At 95

Job well done, Mr. Clay

Roy Clay Sr., a profound leader in the technology industry whose influence reigned over Silicon Valley for 50 years, passed away at 95, USA Today reports. Clay’s family confirmed he died in his Oakland, California, home on Sept. 29 after dealing with declining health issues.

Clay was awarded at BLACK ENTERPRISE’s first TechConnext Summit back in 2015.

Known as a key component to the development of the personal computer and tech giant Hewlett-Packard, Clay was nicknamed the “godfather of Silicon Valley” for his role in breaking down racial barriers in a predominately white industry. 

He was the first African American to start a tech company, ROD-L Electronics, in 1977. He used his talents to recruit diverse engineers, including math and science graduates from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Accredited technology leaders like Ken Coleman label Clay as one of the many forgotten hidden figures in the tech world and says his contributions should be celebrated at all costs.

“He should go down in history as one of the leading early figures that put Silicon Valley on the map,” Coleman said in a BE interview.

“He was a technical genius and an amazingly kind and generous human being −- a great example of both a professional businessman and a committed citizen and neighbor.”

As other prominent Silicon Valley leaders have letters and papers historically archived, Clay made sure his story was told through his own words in his 2022 memoir, “Unstoppable: The Unlikely Story of a Silicon Valley Godfather” with the assistance of his sons and biographer, M.H. Jackson. Clay’s journey into the tech industry started by doing his school work by candlelight while growing up in Missouri until his father learned to install electricity in the house.

Clay’s mother instilled in him the importance of education at an early age, which resulted in Clay being one of the first Black Americans to graduate from a previously all-white school in a former slave state. The tech pioneer received his degree in mathematics from St. Louis University, which landed him a job interview for an engineer position at McDonnell Aircraft Manufacturing in St. Louis. 

However, Clay was turned away because the company didn’t have jobs for “professional Negroes.”

The experience did not deter Clay from advancing in the technology field. Clay relocated to California to take on a job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to work on radiation tracking software that would map out the aftermath of a nuclear explosion. In his book, he celebrated that accomplishment.

“I was no longer that poor little Black kid from a segregated town in the Midwest. I was breaking barriers in a new field of technology and making some groundbreaking accomplishments,” he wrote. 

“If only the boys back home at the pool hall could see me now.”

Clay made other strides outside of the world of tech. According to Palo Alto Online, the pioneer was a leader in the community, making history as the first African American to sit on the Palo Alto City Council, only to become the vice mayor later. He was also a keen golfer and became the first Black member of one of the oldest athletic clubs in the country, the Olympic Club. The tech guru also held the title of club president down the line. 

His son, Chris, also an SAP executive, says his dad was determined to beat all odds and is proud to call him “dad.”

“Despite being rejected from jobs based solely on race early in his career, he was determined to succeed — driven primarily by his mother’s advice early in life to never let racism be a reason why he doesn’t succeed,” Chris said. 

“Combining his education with a strong work ethic, genuine concern about people, and an unstoppable spirit, he was able to trailblaze the way for himself and others. He succeeded wherever he worked, breaking through barriers and opening doors for others.”

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