Rapper Eve Sells Publishing Rights In Reported 8-Figure Deal
The rapper's deal with Iconoclast is reportedly worth between $25 and $50 million.
Grammy-winning rapper Eve is making money moves.
Music management company Iconoclast announced that it has acquired the publishing rights of the Grammy winner’s music catalog, Music Business Worldwide reports. Sources told the outlet that the deal is between $25 million and $50 million.
Eve Jeffers made her musical debut in 1999 with the album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady. The album sold over 2 million copies and was certified Double Double Platinum.
Her second album, Scorpion, debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200 and produced hits such as “Let Me Blow Ya Mind,” a duet with Gwen Stefani. The summer anthem reached number two on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 2001, and earned Eve the first Best Rap/Song Collaboration Grammy.
Eve has also collaborated with artists such as The Roots, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys and Shaggy. In 1999, she was featured on Missy Elliott’s “Hot Boyz,” which peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The emcee has worked with A-list producers such as Dr. Dre, Irv Gotti, Pharrell and Swizz Beats, who produced the hit song “Tambourine.”
Iconoclast founder Olivier Chastan called the DMX protege an “inspiration” for other female rappers.
“We are honored to help preserve and elevate her incredible legacy, ensuring that her influence continues to inspire future generations of artists and fans alike,” Chastan told Music Business World.
The rapper-turned-actress has starred in films such as The Woodsman,Animal, and Barbershop. In 2003, she starred in the sitcom, Eve, which aired on the UPN.
In 2021, she co-starred in the musical drama series, Queens, on ABC, which was canceled after one season. She also co-hosted the CBS daytime series, The Talk, for four seasons, earning her two Daytime Emmy nominations.
The multi-hyphenate mother is currently on tour promoting her new memoir, Who’s That Girl, which was released on September 17.
NBA Star Derrick Rose Announces Retirement From Basketball After 16 Seasons
In an open letter, Rose brings the news that his NBA career is over
Former Chicago Bulls player Derrick Rose announced his retirement from the NBA. Rose is leaving the game after 16 seasons playing for the Bulls, the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minneapolis Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and Memphis Grizzlies.
The basketball MVP announced his decision on social media stating that he is leaving his “first love.”
“Thank You, My First Love…
“You believed me through the highs and lows, my constant when everything else seemed uncertain. You showed me what love truly meant. You turned the court into my sanctuary, a home where I could express myself freely. You made every early morning and late night we spent together worth every drop of sweat. You reminded me that I could always rely on you, that in every moment of doubt, you would show me what I’m capable of.
You introduced me to new places and cultures that a kid from Chicago could have never imagined. You taught me that every loss was a lesson and every win a reason to be grateful. You offered wisdom that was not just about the game, but about life, discipline, hard work, perseverance. You showed me that passion is something to cherish, ensuring that I pour my heart into every dribble, every shot, every play.
You stood by me even when the world seemed against me, unconditionally, waiting for me to pick you up. You gave me a gift, our time together, one that I will cherish for the rest of my days. You told me it’s okay to say goodbye, reassuring me that you’ll always be a part of me, no matter where life takes me.
According to NBA.com, Rose came into the NBA after becoming the No. 1 NBA Draft pick by the Chicago Bulls in 2008. The Chicago native won the Rookie of the Year award and was selected for the All-Star team in three of his first four seasons. He became the league’s youngest MVP when he won the award in 2011. He was just 22 years old at the time.
“It’s all full circle,” Rose said in April. “Coming back here, having my family here, my wife’s family is from here, being back in this arena, having some of the people that came to my college games actually come to my professional games here, it’s all love.”
Do Most Americans Believe $100K Income Can Rid Financial Anxiety?
These findings come as inflation and cost-of-living increases has stifled many households.
A new study revealed that most Americans believe an income of $100K or more can soothe financial anxieties.
Edelman Financial Engines released the “Everyday Wealth in America” study on Sept. 23. The study found that 58% of surveyors agreed that reaching this salary threshold would eliminate most living concerns. The company surveyed 3,000 Americans aged 30 and over. According to Fox News Business, half of the participants, between the ages of 45 and 70, were considered “affluent.”
Younger surveyors agreed with this notion, with most implying age is a significant factor in wealth perception. A wider majority of participants in their 30s and 40s, at 71% and 75%, respectively, agreed that a six-figure income was the golden ticket to financial security.
These findings come as inflation and cost-of-living increases have stifled many households. Although inflation has shown signs of slowing down, the issue of high prices remains most prevalent in Americans’ minds. According to Statista, inflation is the highest-ranked issue for voters in all major parties in the upcoming election.
“Part of these worries stem from external pressures, like inflation or a turbulent election economy, while some are individual pressures, such as family responsibilities and mounting credit card debt,” wrote Amin Dabit in the company’s statement, as reported by the news outlet. “Through this research, we’re learning more about how these different factors all come together to impact the way Americans perceive and achieve their wealth.”
These sentiments were also reflected in the study, as 49% of the participants called the economy their ‘biggest source” of anxiety. Personal finances followed closely behind at 48% of surveyors.
A quarter of Americans believe even more money is needed to not stress over making ends meet. These individuals think a $200K income is sufficient to remain comfortable in today’s economy.
Moreover, most Americans don’t consider themselves wealthy. Despite this, most of those outside this label believe having $1 million would establish them as such.
According to Spendmenot, only 34.4% of U.S. earners made over $100K in income in 2022, despite most Americans finding it necessary for financial stability. However, this latest study indicates how higher living expenses have impacted the general mindset to ease monetary stress.
Department Of Education’s Fresh Start Program Set To End
112 consumer advocacy groups wrote a letter to the US Department of Education on Sept. 19, imploring the department to extend the program.
The Department of Education’s Fresh Start program is scheduled to sunset on Sept. 30, and borrowers who are delinquent on their payments are being encouraged to either apply for the program before applications close or contact their loan servicers to learn more about their options.
The letter notes that borrowers are dealing with chaos and uncertainty due to legal challenges mounted against the Biden administration’s SAVE plan.
“Over the last few months, borrowers have faced major chaos and uncertainty in the wake of legal challenges to the historic Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan, which was implemented to give borrowers better access to affordable monthly payments to protect them from financial harm. Eight million borrowers had already enrolled in the SAVE Plan—having planned their and their family’s finances around it—when they were abruptly notified that they would no longer have access to it (or to other affordable repayment options) for the foreseeable future.” The letter stated. “Borrowers are now desperately trying to understand how to manage their student loan debt with limited options for making affordable monthly payments or progressing toward promised forgiveness via Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) loan forgiveness.”
The letter continued, “Amidst all of this chaos, September marks the final month of two important initiatives: (1) the Administration’s current “on-ramp” protections, which have helped shield borrowers from many of the harshest economic consequences of falling behind on their student loans, and (2) the deadline to enroll in the “Fresh Start,” program, which enables borrowers in default to get back into repayment more easily.” The letter also called for the Department of Education to extend the programs. “We urge the Department to extend these two pivotal programs. The on-ramp protection period must continue to hold student loan borrowers harmless for missed payments during this tumultuous time, and the Fresh Start program should continue to be available to defaulted borrowers who have not yet enrolled in it. No borrower should be forced into delinquency, default, or collections while they are unable to access the full suite of affordable repayment options they are entitled to under the law.”
Their analysis also showed that the planned “Plan B” relief program would benefit Black Americans who owe student loans. Approximately 6 million Black Americans, or 23% of the estimated borrowers, would have received relief from the Fresh Start program. That figure, which doubles the Black representation in the general population figures, signals that more Black students who must take out loans often face more difficulty repaying loans and, therefore, stay in the loan repayment system longer than other ethnicities.
“Under Biden’s plan, I would have qualified for $20,000 in student loan debt forgiveness, which would have cut my debt-to-income ratio and improved my credit score, which has suffered because of my student loan debt. It would have allowed me to save something for emergencies and my future and help my family. I would have been able to explore a broader range of career options and jobs outside the low-paying public sector, which are a prerequisite for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.”
Sanders continued, “An estimated 8.5 million Black Americans have student loans, and they owe nearly $53,000, on average, after graduation. Black students make up only 14% of the college-age population, but they take on 25% of all federal student loans. Black women are the most likely to have student debt and graduate with an average of $38,800 in federal undergraduate loans, which is higher than any other student group. Black women who graduate from graduate school owe over $58,252, on average, in student loan debt. They’re also more likely than any other group to default on their loans. As a result, many Black women may not be able to achieve their financial goals.”
Justice Department Settles Gender Pay Discrimination Lawsuit Against Wisconsin Department Of Military Affairs
The Department of Justice continues to take a firm stance on enforcing Title VII to combat workplace discrimination.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a settlement agreement with the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs (WDMA) to resolve a gender-based pay discrimination lawsuit filed in January 2023.
The lawsuit, filed under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, alleged that WDMA paid former employee Michelle Hartness a lower salary than similarly- or less-qualified male colleagues for a director position within the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management. The over-one-year claim was settled Sept. 19.
Title VII prohibits workplace discrimination based on sex, race, color, national origin, or religion. The lawsuit claimed that WDMA’s pay offer to Hartness was not only unequal but also in violation of federal law.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of addressing the gender pay gap, saying, “It is time to close the gender pay gap, which stands as one of the most pressing problems in the labor market today. This settlement reflects the Justice Department’s commitment to ensuring women receive the pay they have rightfully earned.”
WDMA will pay Hartness a $175,000 monetary award for the settlement. The department also affirmed its commitment to antidiscrimination practices by maintaining policies to prevent compensation discrimination and establishing consistency in salary decisions through a pay-setting policy. Additionally, WDMA agreed to provide personnel with training on these policies to prevent future discrimination.
The lawsuit followed an investigation by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which found reasonable cause to believe that Hartness had been discriminated against because of her gender. After failed conciliation attempts, the EEOC referred the case to the Department of Justice.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division prioritized this case, particularly its Employment Litigation Section. Senior trial attorneys Patricia Stasco, Christine Dinan, Catherine Sellers, and trial attorney Young Choi handled the lawsuit.
The Department of Justice continues to take a firm stance on enforcing Title VII to combat workplace discrimination. For more information on the Civil Rights Division’s work, visit the organization’s website.
Issa Rae’s New Jewelry Collection Is ‘How I Show That I Belong in Certain Rooms’
Issa Rae is demonstrating the extent of her creativity with the launch of a new collaboration with fine jewelry brand Cast.
Issa Rae is demonstrating the extent of her creativity with the launch of a new 22-piece collection in collaboration with fine jewelry brand Cast.
Titled The Braeve Collection, this collaboration features pieces crafted from 14K gold, sterling silver, black onyx, and Cast’s exclusive lab-grown diamond collection. Made to reflect the actress’ personal style while emphasizing the shared values of artful design, quality, and versatility between her and Cast, Rae uses the collection to jazz up her casual work fits.
“My personal style day to day is very simple — jeans, t-shirts, Chucks — and that’s why this jewelry is my way of dressing up,” Rae told The Hollywood Reporter.
“It’s how I show that I belong in certain rooms, it’s like my effort in the office … I’ll put my hair up in a bun and won’t wear makeup but I’ll put jewelry on and it’s like, ‘I tried.’”
The contemporary and versatile collection caters to every type of accessories enthusiast, with prices ranging from $250 to $5,900. Pieces include gold stud earrings with central diamonds, a gold pendant necklace, and a matching armor stack ring, among many more.
Rae’s favorite piece from the collection is the Braeve Pendant Necklace, admired for its uniqueness and remarkable versatility. The pendant features Cast’s Signature Flip Innovation, allowing for three distinct looks: an all-gold side, an all-onyx side, and a half-gold, half-onyx option.
“I use it as a mood ring, or a mood necklace if anything, and I say that if it’s on the black side, ‘don’t f*** with me,’ if it’s on the gold side that I’m approachable, and if it’s in the middle, you know, I’m even,” Rae jokingly said.
The collaboration was seamless, as Rae is a natural fan of the Cast brand and was seen wearing pieces from the fine jewelry company on September’s cover of Fast Company, during the American Black Film Festival, and earlier this year at the 96th Academy Awards and the 2024 Emmy Awards.
“I deeply admire the Cast ethos, their unique collaborative approach to jewelry and their focus on sustainability,” Rae shared. “I was honored to collaborate with them on the Braeve collection to create timeless, elegant, bold pieces. I loved experimenting with shapes, textures, and silhouettes, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience this collection.”
The Braeve Collection launched on September 17, 2024, at Cast Boutiques, CastJewelry.com, and exclusively at select Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com.
Tuskegee University Named Third Top HBCU By U.S. World News & Report
Tuskegee University has been named as the No. 3 HBCU in the country and the No. 1 HBCU in the state of Alabama according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings.
Tuskegee University has been named the No. 3 HBCU in the country and the No. 1 HBCU in the state of Alabama, according to the latest U.S. News &World Report rankings. Among the superlatives, the university was ranked No. 1 in social mobility among universities in the South, No. 9 in overall rank among universities in the South, and No. 25 in best value among universities in the South.
“We are immensely excited to see Tuskegee University advance to No. 3 among HBCUs in the nation, up from No. 4 last year. This progression underscores our ongoing commitment to excellence and reflects the hard work of our faculty, staff, and students,” Tuskegee University President Dr. Mark Brown said.
Dr. Brown continued, “Being named No. 1 in Social Mobility affirms our mission. It demonstrates that Tuskegee University is making a tangible difference in the lives of our students, many of whom come from underrepresented backgrounds and face significant financial challenges. Our focus on social mobility means that we are not only supporting students academically but also providing them with the tools, resources, and opportunities they need to succeed beyond graduation.”
Brown closed his statement with a dedication to providing an atmosphere that produces transformative educational experiences. “This reflects our dedication to ensuring that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, has the chance to excel and contribute meaningfully to society. We are deeply proud of this recognition and remain steadfast in our efforts to provide transformative educational experiences.”
In order to qualify for the rankings, the HBCUs were required to be undergraduate bachelor degree-granting universities that primarily enroll first-year students and are part of the 2025 Best Colleges rankings. In addition, the HBCU rankings, in particular, required institutions to be listed on the White House and U.S. Department of Education’s Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
According to the Higher Education Act of 1965, HBCUs are defined as “any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary (of Education) to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”
For the HBCU rankings, the universities were only compared to each other, and their eligibility requirements resulted in 77 HBCUs making their list. Outcome rankings are weighted heavily on the U.S. News & World Report scale, making up half of a university’s ranking. Those rankings include retaining and graduating students within a six-year time frame, social mobility, earnings of university graduates compared to high school graduates, and graduate indebtedness. According to U.S. News & World Report, graduation rates have the most weight among these rankings.
Another major metric for the rankings is a peer assessment survey, which accounts for 20% of the value placed on the universities. In the survey, top HBCU academics are asked to rank a university’s academic excellence using a five-point scale ranging from marginal (1) to outstanding (5). A separate peer survey was also sent to HBCU presidents, provosts, and admissions deans.
Here’s How Vice President Kamala Harris’ Economic Plan Would Help Black Americans
Harris’s campaign shared plans to help Black Americans in an exclusive priority list released to Black Enterprise.
Vice President Kamala Harris has announced her economic plans if she’s elected. In her detailed proposal, it is clear that Harris’ priorities aim to lower the living costs for middle- and lower-class Americans, make housing affordable, and give Americans relief from rising costs that impact their day-to-day lives, such as groceries and healthcare.
Harris’s campaign shared plans to help Black Americans in an exclusive priority list released to BLACK ENTERPRISE. Here is a highlight of some of these priorities.
Lower The Cost of Groceries
According to the Harris campaign, Black families are spending one and a half times their budget on food, compared to white families. Harris plans to offer relief by:
Advancing the first-ever federal ban on price gouging on food and groceries.
Setting clear rules ensures that big corporations can’t unfairly exploit consumers to run up excessive profits on food and groceries.
Securing new authority for the FTC and state attorneys general to investigate and impose strict new penalties on companies that break the rules.
Affordable Housing: Lower the Cost of Renting and Owning Home To Close Wealth Gap
Harris plans to lower Americans’ rent by taking on corporate and private landlords. She says she would also stop Wall Street investors from buying and marking up in bulk. To address America’s housing shortage, she plans to call for the construction of 3 million new housing units in four years.
The campaign also proposes a “first-ever” tax incentive for building starter homes and an expansion of the existing tax incentive for businesses that build affordable rental housing.
When it comes to affordable housing for Black Americans, Harris says she would:
Provide historic $25,000 down-payment support for first-time homeowners. This could help more than half a million Black first-time homebuyers.
Increase Child Tax Credit
Vice President Harris proposes a new $6,000 child tax credit for families with children in the first year of life and plans to restore the American Rescue Plan’s expanded Child Tax Credit. This would provide up to $3,600 per child tax credit for middle-class families.
Lower The Cost of Prescription Drugs and Relieve Medical Debt
Cancel medical debt for millions of Americans, at a time when more than 1-in-4 Black households report having medical debt — nearly double the rate of medical debt for all adults.
Capping the cost of insulin at $35 and out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs at $2,000 for everyone, not just seniors.
The campaign says lowering insulin costs would “disproportionately benefit Black Americans,” considering Black Americans are around two-thirds more likely to have diabetes, and roughly 1-in-5 non-elderly Black Americans using insulin report needing to ration their insulin because of cost concerns.
Increase Support for Black-owned Businesses
Vice President Harris would increase support for Black-owned businesses by:
Expanding the tax deduction for startups and small businesses from $5,000 to $50,000 because “Nobody can start a small business with just $5,000.”
Collaborating with the big banks to increase access to capital for Black small businesses and startups at a time when Black-owned companies have typically received only about 1% of all U.S. venture capital funding. More than a third of Black-owned companies said they needed additional financing to help their business thrive, around double the rate of white-owned firms.
Creating a new fund with community banks and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to cover loan interest costs while these small businesses are expanding, helping these businesses get accessible and affordable capital.
To help more Black- and Latino-owned small businesses receive federal contracts, target one-third of all federal contract dollars going to small businesses.
Yara Shahidi Set To Kick Off N.C. A&T Chancellor’s Speaker Series
Yara Shahidi is kicking off the 2024 season of NC A&T Chancellor’s Speaker Series with a discussion focused on the upcoming election.
Yara Shahidi is kicking off The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Chancellor’s Speaker Series’ 2024 season with a discussion focused on the upcoming election.
The Black-ish star’s N.C. A&T discussion, titled “Your Voice, Your Vote,” will begin the school’s annual Speaker Series on Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., inside the Harrison Auditorium. North Carolina A&T’s 2019 alum Tylik McMillan will moderate the conversation.
The dialogue will offer accurate information and sound discussion in response to the steadily intensifying political race leading up to Election Day. McMillan will guide Shahidi in a discussion on civic engagement, both individual and collective, emphasizing the responsibility and power we hold to drive change.
Shahidi was the perfect public figure to book for the Speaker Series as she worked extensively with former President and First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama before founding Eighteen x 18, now known as WeVoteNext, to highlight Gen Z and promote the inclusion of Black, Indigenous, and people of color in the political process.
Despite her fame and success, Shahidi remained committed to her education, earning a B.A. in social studies and African American studies from Harvard University, all while starring in hit shows Black-ish and Grown-ish. Her degree focused on Black political thought within a neocolonial context.
McMillian is an international civil rights activist and movement strategist dedicated to educating lawmakers and stakeholders about the challenges and opportunities facing communities. He advocates for policies and resources that promote economic and social equality. Driven by a passion for advocacy, McMillian has collaborated with Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network and played a key role in organizing and speaking at the 2020 Commitment March on Washington and the 2021 March On for Voting Rights.
The Chancellor’s Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Tickets for “Your Voice, Your Vote” will be available from the University Ticket Office in Brown Hall beginning Oct. 7.
It’s Black Cannabis Week! These Black Women Are The Masterminds Behind The Initiative
Black Cannabis Week is run by three Black women dedicated to advocating for equity and inclusion in the cannabis industry.
Black Cannabis Week 2024 kicked off on Sept. 22, and with only days left to celebrate, it’s a great time to spotlight the Black women who run the initiative and advocate for equity and inclusion as they empower Black people within the cannabis industry.
Founded by Cherron Perry-Thomas, MBA, co-founder of the Diasporic Alliance of Cannabis Opportunities (DACO), Black Cannabis Week is one of DACO’s programming initiatives dedicated to educating, celebrating, and elevating the Black cannabis community. Perry-Thomas is also the creator of the Cannabis Opportunities Conference, the first and only free cannabis conference focused on uplifting Black and Brown communities. “So much of what this industry has done has excluded us,” she told CannaBizin a 2022 interview.
She shared that people like herself and her family play an integral part in the growth of the cannabis industry in the United States, and through her initiative, she makes sure it’s “always centering Black.” The wellness agent has grown Black Cannabis Week into a global platform offering discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities to celebrate Black voices worldwide and advocate for equity and inclusion in the industry.
To uphold its mission to stand as a collective web of educational and informational experiences for Black communities, Black Cannabis Week is organized with the help of visionary leader Kristal Bush and educational consultant Brandi Hester-Harrell, M.Ed. Bush’s advocacy stems from her childhood as a three-year-old with an incarcerated parent. Her personal experience prompted her desire to support families who have experienced the effects of incarceration and the War on Drugs.
As the former CEO and founder of Bridging the Gap Transportation, Bush reunited incarcerated individuals with their families, witnessing over 3,500 reunions. She also established the Free My Weedman initiative to address the War on Drugs through storytelling and community building. Hester-Harrell has also reached thousands of lives through her advocacy. She co-founded Entertaining and Elevating with Cannabis (EEWC) and developed the inaugural courses surrounding cannabis branding and entrepreneurship at Genesee Community College in New York. In 2024, she led the release of the policy reform report Community Voices: Advancing Social Justice and Equity in Pennsylvania. As a PhD candidate, Hester-Harrell has focused her research on merging cannabis with higher education.
As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, Black Cannabis Week is a highly anticipated initiative packed with several signature events designed to take guests on a journey of the industry as they engage in conversations and experiences under the theme of “Deeply Rooted, Growing Together.” Running the initiative allows all three women to expand on their advocacy for cannabis and social justice, working with legislators and leading initiatives that move inclusion and equity in the industry forward.
Keep up with Black Cannabis Week as the 2024 East Coast tour continues throughout Sept. 29, visiting Virginia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey — areas affected by the War on Drugs. This year’s lineup features over 30 speakers and panelists, including cannabis executives, elected officials, policymakers, influencers, and advocates. Events include The Daily Dose Tour, The Policy Breakfast, Blaze the Runway, and the Rooted in Justice Film Festival.
