by Daniel Johnson

September 25, 2024

Maryland Finally Honors Belmont Syndicate After More Than 100 Years

According to Felani Afrika Spivey, a descendant of Alexander Satterwhite, without the monument, Belmont would just be a story circulated, the monument makes it real.

On Sept. 21, Maryland’s Montgomery County honored four Black men who purchased land in 1906 to create an upscale Black neighborhood called Belmont.

According to WTOP News, the Belmont neighborhood was shut down before it ever got started, partly because of threats against the group as it was being built. Only three years into the construction of Belmont, every trustee in the Chevy Chase Land Company, which, as The Washington Post reported, was founded by a racist, Francis G. Newlands, pulled out of its agreement to build the neighborhood, ending the development of the neighborhood.

According to historian Kim Bender, “I think if it had been white people doing the same thing, Chevy Chase Land Co. and their other business partners would have released the title to the lots,” Bender told the Post. “They refused to accept payment from the Belmont syndicate.”

According to Phil Lewis, a reporter for the Huffington Post, Charles Cuney, Michel Dumas, James Neil, and Alexander Sattlewhite, who bestowed upon themselves the nickname “The Belmont Syndicate,” worked with a white man who bought the land on their behalf to circumvent the segregation of the day.

An ad for the neighborhood in the Washington Post called attention to Black residents, asking them to purchase “an ideal suburban lot in the most beautiful and most rapidly improving section of Northwest Washington, Belmont Chevy Chase.” According to the advertisement, lots began at $400 and openly described the neighborhood as the “only good subdivision in Washington where colored people are welcomed to buy.”

However, once white residents got wind of the development, they did everything they could to stop the development of the property, including threats and having the four men arrested.

According to historian Neil Flanagan, “There were threats of violence, there was there people were talking about bringing out a clan.”

A white resident who lived in the area at the time told the Washington Times, “To establish a negro colony at Belmont, practically at our doors and beyond the restraint of the District police force, would mean the impairment of our property values, a constant menace to our peace and security, and the destruction of the happiness of our homes.”

According to Felani Afrika Spivey, a descendant of Alexander Satterwhite, without the monument, Belmont would just be a story circulated; the monument makes it real.

“This marker states the facts of what happened in this location in Chevy Chase in 1906 when my third great-uncle, along with three men, Black men, purchased land to create an affluent Black community, and it was halted,” Spivey told Lewis.

Spivey continued, “Without this marker, [Belmont] would be a rumor. It means a lot to me and my family for our legacy, and hopefully, it helps us get reparations.”

Spivey also told WTOP, “As a descendant, I’m just honored to be born into a family that did great work like this for American history. It dispels the myths about The Belmont Syndicate, and it just pays honor and homage to the four Black men who, in 1906, did such a courageous, almost unheard of thing.”

Mary J. Blige, Community College, Strength Of A Woman Fund

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 25, 2024

Mary J. Blige Recalls Fashion Boutiques ‘Rejecting’ Her, Misa Hylton From Purchasing Clothes

Mary J. Blige can remember the days when fashion boutiques were "rejecting" her business.

Mary J. Blige can boast luxury boot partnerships with Giuseppe Zanotti. But the music icon remembers the days when fashion boutiques were “rejecting” her business.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and her longtime stylist, Misa Hylton, appear in the new Hulu documentary In Vogue: The 90s. In episode 5, titled “Hip Hop Takes Fashion,” Blige and Hylton recall the mistreatment and dismissals they experienced when they were starting their careers. They recall the time they went to a shopping boutique in the early ’90s and weren’t accepted.

“We went to a boutique, and we were shopping,” Hylton explains, as captured by People. “When it’s time to pay, the sales associate keeps telling us. ‘The card’s declining.’ They keep trying.”

“We call the credit card company. The card’s not declining. It’s actually not even being rung. Like, ‘Oh, OK. You don’t want us to buy these items.’ It’s because we were young and we were Black, and they could not figure out how we were spending this much money. They didn’t even realize who Mary J. Blige was yet, and so you see how luxury fashion brands didn’t really value us or didn’t respect us. They didn’t see their brands on us.”

“They were rejecting us,” Blige added. “They were treating us like little street kids. They didn’t want to — they probably didn’t want to take our business. They weren’t treating us the way they treat us now. Absolutely not.”

Blige has since gone on to sell millions of records, win nine Grammy Awards, be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and secure partnerships for her luxury boots, which sold out in just one day. Another episode of the documentary features Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott reflecting on their iconic 1998 Vogue fashion shoot with Lil’ Kim.

“It took a lot to be able to get into Vogue,” Elliott says. “The strength of showing three Black women in this particular article — that was a huge deal.”

Others featured in the documentary include Tommy Hilfiger, Naomi Campbell, and longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. In Vogue: The ’90s is now streaming on Hulu.

by Stacy Jackson

September 25, 2024

Celebrate ‘Me Period Day’ With Black Women’s Health Imperative

BWHI introduces "Me Period Day" for Black mothers and daughters to engage in open conversations about their bodies and periods.

It’s National Daughter’s Day, and as part of the celebration, the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) has launched “Me Period Day,” a safe space for Black mothers and caregivers to have open conversations about menstruation with their daughters.

Sept. 25, 2024, marks the inaugural celebration of Me Period Day as BWHI celebrates its Anniversary Week. According to BWHI, Me Period Day is a moment for youth to “connect with their bodies, establish healthy habits, and become powerful advocates for their own health.”

The organization stated that with nearly 1 in 4 women in the U.S. struggling to afford period products, it’s important to use this national day of action to advocate for menstrual equity. “Our goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has access to affordable period products and the information they need to live healthier lives,” the organization said.

Black women dedicated to protecting Black women and girls created the Black Women’s Health Imperative in 1983 to advance the health and wellness of their community. The nonprofit organization works to decrease health disparities for Black women through initiatives like Me Period Day and its “Black Women Vote: 2024 Health Policy Voters Guide,’ which BLACK ENTERPRISE previously mentioned, released this month to help Black women understand policies and issues regarding their health, ahead of this year’s election.

BWHI encourages women and girls to participate in the Sept. 25 celebration by using the hashtags #NationalDaughtersDay and #MePeriod to spread empowerment and share stories that promote healthy habits for the body and health advocacy. Use the Me Period Day image frames throughout the day to win a year’s supply of period products.

BWHI also invites the public to join a virtual “Me Period” documentary screening and explore conversations on navigating menstruation, breaking barriers, and mother-daughter bonding. The film features celebrity mothers Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tabitha Brown, who sit down with their daughters to discuss periods and the body. “Women bleed every month, but somewhere in my head, I didn’t think it would happen to me,” Brown says in the trailer as she shares the couch with her daughter and reflects on the moment her period started. Ralph says she was with her dad and brothers when it happened. “She’s just becoming a woman,” she remembers her father confirming to her brothers that she wasn’t “dying.”

Watch the Sept. 25 virtual screening at 7:00 PM EST by creating a free Kinema account and purchasing a $10 ticket to support BWHI. Start conversations with your mothers, daughters, and state representatives using BWHI’s advocacy tool kit.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

September 25, 2024

Nordstrom x Harlem’s Fashion Row Releases Collection Celebrating The Black Community’s Economic Power

The Nordstrom by Harlem's Fashion Row collection comes just in time for the summer-to-fall transition.

Nordstrom launched its first-ever collaboration with Harlem’s Fashion Row, which serves as “a celebration of Black consumers‘ cultural and economic power,” says HFR Founder & CEO Brandice Daniel.

The Nordstrom by Harlem’s Fashion Row partnership comes just as trendsetters prepare their wardrobes for the summer-to-fall transition with pieces highlighting Black culture’s enduring influence in fashion. The partnership highlights three Black-owned brands: House of Aama, Harbison, and Megan Renee, who all showcase their grandiose skillset through designs and techniques tailored to amplifying Black contributions to fashion.

Aama’s signature feminine aesthetic is enhanced by distinctive tailoring influenced by African Diaspora Dandy culture, while Harbison’s designs pay tribute to his mother, a working-class, resourceful woman he describes as navigating society with remarkable poise. He was also inspired by Simon Maris’s “Portrait of a Young Black Woman” (1890). Megan Renee’s pieces highlight the founder, Megan Smith’s, dedication to representing strong, bold womanhood through pieces including silky button-ups, faux leather tiered skirts, and finely structured suits.

“I built my brand around my love of strong suits and blazers, and I feel like the piece really captures not only who I am but the woman I am dressing,” Smith tells Pop Sugar. “It’s bold, strong, but still feminine. I played with the fit and proportions that really speak to a woman’s body and it feels very fresh and chic.”

After Smith participated in the agency’s annual Fashion Show and Style Awards in 2023, collaborating with HFR again for its Nordstrom partnership was an easy decision.

“Retail placement has been at the forefront of initiatives for my brand, and I knew this opportunity would open so many doors,” Smith says. “Working with Harlem’s Fashion Row is always seamless, and since connecting and working together, I’ve started to feel like they are family now.”

The collection offers an inclusive size range from XXS to 2XL—equivalent to sizes 00 to 18 for women and S to 2XL for men—and prices starting at just $45. Nordstrom by Harlem’s Fashion Row is available on Nordstrom’s website and in 20 stores nationwide, including the New York flagship location.

Healthcare, Doctor, Health, Hospital, Black Women's Health Imperative, Health Policy Voters Guide, ICHRA plans, AARP

by Shanique Yates

September 25, 2024

Are ICHRA Plans The Key To Cutting Rising Healthcare Costs For Employers And Employees?

Through the ICHRA plans, employees receive a set amount from employers each month to be used toward their plan of choice on the individual insurance market.

Some employers have begun adopting a new way for employees to save money on healthcare costs. This new individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement, or ICHRA plans option, gives them the cash and option to choose the best plan for their household and has slowly begun deploying at workplaces nationwide.

Through the ICHRA plans, employees receive a set amount from employers each month to be used toward their plan of choice on the individual insurance market. According to employers, the plan gives workers more control over their health spending and, in some cases, helps them save money, too, NPR reports.

With the cost of health insurance steadily rising, employers are looking to ICHRA plans to control their healthcare spending while still providing workers with adequate healthcare benefits.

“The [traditional group] health insurance cornerstone from 60 years ago has outlived its usefulness,” said Headwater Ventures’ Matt Miller. The company is responsible for investing in ICHRA administrator Venteur. “The goal is to ensure people have coverage, detaching it from the employment construct and making it portable.”

60% of women aged 19-64 rely on employer-sponsored health insurance. But are traditional group plans really tailored to their needs? Enter ICHRA: the customizable solution empowering women to choose coverage that fits THEIR priorities. pic.twitter.com/ZnvXUhofu0
— Venteur Health (@VenteurHealth) May 28, 2024

One employer among the first to adopt the ICHRA concept for its employees was Lycoming College, a small, nationally ranked liberal arts school located in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The goal is to help cut down healthcare spending costs for not only the institution but also its workers.

Employers have the option of offering this health reimbursement plan to various classes of employees, while group plans may be available to others based on determining factors like geography, salaried vs. hourly pay, and full-time vs. part-time status.

When Lycoming College faced a 60% premium increase thanks to members with high claims, the school had no choice but to look for other healthcare options for its employees.

According to the institution’s associate vice president for human resources and compliance, the school ultimately offered ICHRA plans to all employees working at least 30 hours a week.

Within its first year of offering the ICHRA benefit, Lycoming College saved $1.4 million in healthcare costs, with employees saving an average of $1,200 per person in premiums. Hagan admits that the people in the finance department “really like” the new plan.

“From a cost standpoint, people tend to be pretty happy with it, and people really like having a choice of plans,” said Hagan, although she admits that they have run into problems with the plan’s administration. She notes that some employees’ coverage had to be reinstated after it was lost temporarily. However, Hagan revealed that “those problems have been largely resolved” since swapping out plan administrators this year.

On the other hand, the outlet also reports that several companies that tested out ICRHA plans for employees ultimately decided to return to group coverage options.

Some employers note that this type of coverage can be a hassle to manage because instead of paying one group health plan premium, they now may be responsible for payouts to dozens of individual health insurers. Moreover, experts noted that for employees who have never had to shop for a healthcare plan on their own, the process can be pretty tedious and requires more assistance from employers to make the right decision.

Other concerns include health insurance specialists’ concerns that the plans aren’t the best option for consumers or the individual insurance market. They cite that despite rules preventing employers from offering ICHRA plans to workers who may be sicker or more expensive to cover than others, employers with “relatively unhealthy workforces” may still find the coverage to be more appealing.

“It’s a big disrupter, like 401(k)s,” said Mark Mixer, board chair of the HRA Council and CEO of HealthOne Alliance in Dalton, Georgia. Still, it’s not for everyone. “It’s simply another tool that employers should consider. When it fits, do it.”

According to the HRA Council, ICHRA coverage is currently offered to roughly only 500,000 people among the estimated 165 million individuals with employer-sponsored coverage.

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by Mitti Hicks

September 25, 2024

Montana Absentee Online Voting System Temporarily Shuts Down After Kamala Harris Left Off Ballot

A voter reported there was no option to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

It’s been a rocky start to the election season. The state of Montana was forced to shut down its electronic absentee voter system after it went live on Sept. 20, 2024, when a voter reported there was no option to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

According to the Daily Inter Lake, a Montana voter in the United Kingdom first reported the issue after noticing he couldn’t cast his ballot for Harris on the online system. Montana voter Max Himsl stated he only saw Republican Donald Trump and Independent Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on the ballot. He reported the discrepancy to the Flathead County Election Department in Kalispell.

“I’m upset my democratic process was interrupted,” Himsl told the outlet.

Montana’s Electronic Absentee System allows eligible voters to cast their ballots online 45 days before Election Day. The mistake was reportedly limited to the electronic absentee system.

Secretary of State Christi Jacobson took down the Electronic Absentee System out of an abundance of caution.

“Our team and the vendor quickly investigated and found that only a few voters may have been impacted,” the Secretary of State’s Office told the international outlet in a statement.

A spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s office told Newsweek, “On Friday morning, our office received a report of a ballot not displaying properly for a UOCAVA voter –- which defines eligible military and overseas citizens.

The spokesperson adds, “As mentioned, the system was taken offline in the morning for troubleshooting with the vendor, and it was back online in the afternoon. The potentially impacted UOCAVA voter who submitted a ballot has since been contacted, and no further action is required. Vice President Kamala Harris and all certified candidates appear on Montana’s ballots.”

The error has come as more states roll out early voting in Virginia, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 25, 2024

Detroit Workers Still Concerned Despite Michigan Raising Minimum Wage

Detroit workers fear that the marginal increases will still leave them unable to afford daily expenses.

While Michigan plans to raise the minimum wage by a few dollars, workers in Detroit remain concerned about the cost of living.

The state expects to raise its current wage rate from $10.33 to $12.48. However, those making this amount fear it will still not be enough to combat inflation and the growing living costs. WXYZ, an ABC-affiliated news outlet in Detroit, spoke to workers about what the increase truly means for them. Many of them work multiple jobs to keep themselves afloat.

“I think it could be helpful, as long as we don’t get any more inflation behind it,” said a metro Detroit employee, Howard Hughes.

The exact increase remains unknown, but it is expected to be officialized by Nov. 1. However, workers will not see the change reflected in their paychecks until Feb. 21. Fortunately, the plan also includes annual raises, going as high as $14.97 by 2028. The resolution aims to keep the state’s workforce intact.

Despite supporting the increased pay, another worker believes it “isn’t even enough” only to work one job.

The man, Spud Williams, added, “Even minimum wage, with everything going up, isn’t enough.”

Alan Brikho, a deli owner in the city, says the money would not impact much as rising costs persist. He already raised the pay for his employees and says better wages are necessary for the best staff.

“Prices probably would go up because, at the end of the day, the business margins don’t change,” explained Alan Brikho, who owns Front Page Deli within the Oak Park neighborhood of the city. “In order to get better talent, better employees, you have to pay a little extra because everyone was competing for that same employee.”

The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25, with states like Michigan adopting higher rates to cushion living standards. However, Detroit workers fear that the marginal increases will still leave them unable to afford daily expenses. While inflation steadily cools down, workers’ concerns signify that more is still needed for the minimum to suffice.

Floyd Mayweather, money team, money, money man, watch

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 25, 2024

Floyd Mayweather Purchases Avi & Co Hue Watch Collection For $1M

The retired boxer became the first person to own all four watches in the Avi & Co Hue collection.

With a nickname like “Money Floyd,” the expectation of making expensive purchases comes with the moniker. Retired undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather held up his bargain when he reportedly purchased four luxury timepieces for one million dollars.

Mayweather posted a video showing off the very expensive watches to his social media account. He became the first person to own all four watches in the Avi & Co Hue collection.

“When the craftsmanship at @aviandco is this impeccable, choosing just one watch wasn’t an option… so I bought all four from the exclusive ‘Hue Collection.’ This is the kind of quality you can only get from a jeweler who’s available 24/7, where the service is as priceless as the jewels. A special thanks to @Forbes for consistently recognizing me and others in such a positive light—always a class act.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Floyd Mayweather (@floydmayweather)

Mayweather referenced a Forbes article on him and the collection. According to the article, the undefeated boxer already owned seven Avi & Co. watches. Mayweather stated that after buying several custom pieces from him, they became friends, and he was a supporter. After seeing the four watches, each available for $250,000, he couldn’t choose just one, so he bought all four for a cool million.

“It’s hard to choose one watch; they are all exceptional timepieces. I am proud of Avi and support him. He is my friend, and if I want to hang out with him, I can. You can’t do that with the owner of Rolex or AP (Audemars Piguet).”

The Hue Pink Ice was unveiled in July. The timepiece is set with 945 natural pink sapphires weighing 110 carats. The other colors, blue, green, and red, have the same number of stones, with the blue having 108 carats of sapphires, the Green having 115 carats of tsavorites, and the red having 105 carats of rubies.

Russell westbrook, clippers, Russell Westbrook

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 25, 2024

Russell Westbrook Cuts Ribbon To Newly Expanded Westbrook Academy

The Denver Nuggets player returned to South Los Angeles with his wife, Nina todo the honors

Newly signed Denver Nuggets point guard Russell Westbrook was in California to celebrate the grand reopening of the newly expanded Westbrook Academy campus.

According to Fox Los Angeles, the Long Beach native returned to South Los Angeles on Sept. 23 to cut the ribbon to the campus with his wife, Nina. The school is located in South Gate and is home to over 400 middle and high school students from the area. Westbrook Academy was launched in partnership with the L.A. Promise Fund.

Russell Westbrook and the L.A. Promise Fund celebrated the grand re-opening of the Westbrook Academy today in South Los Angeles. The facility is expected to serve over 400 middle and high school students.

Russell Westbrook to @GDLA on why he partnered with L.A. Promise to open… pic.twitter.com/r1OZ8R30Nw

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 24, 2024

“Having grown up in Los Angeles, knowing the resources I didn’t have. And having an opportunity to partner with L.A. Promise to bring something like this to South LA for their kids, for their families…what’s most important is education,” Westbrook stated.

The school was initially launched in 2021 under the ‘Why Not?’ moniker and was slated to operate on a community school model. Many of the resources are connected to the school, students, and their families to ensure their comprehensive well-being. Students are offered the right support in the areas of career exposure like internships and dual enrollment community college classes; wellness programs to promote mental health, nutrition, and physical health; college advising through field trips, test prep, and application assistance; and robust enrichment programs in athletics, Science, Technology, Math and Engineering, and leadership cultivation.

It was an accomplishment for the former LA Clippers player to open the middle and high school to help the students in the area.

“I’m LA to the core, and I want to represent LA wherever I go,” Westbrook said. “To me, legacy is what you leave behind, not just for my family, but for the people you touch along the way, along your journey. And God has blessed me with this opportunity and platform to be able to do so. And I want to help as many people as possible.”

by Shanique Yates

September 25, 2024

401(K) Matching: The ‘Free Money’ Benefit Every Employee Should Know About

Certified financial planner and co-founder of the Atlanta-based company, Collective Wealth Partners, Kamila Elliott calls a 401(K) match “one of the rare guarantees on an investment that we have.”

Financial advisors say that reviewing your options if your employer offers 401(K) matching is a simple way to expand your investment portfolio.

Often referred to as “free money” by advisors, a 401(K) match is when your job deposits money into your 401 (K) account to reflect any contributions you’ve made from your compensation, such as bonuses and salary, according to Fidelity Investments.

In a new report from CNBC, experts say learning about your employer’s 401(k) matching policies is one of the simplest ways to get “free money” or more bang for your buck at the workplace.

Simply put, an employer will make a matching contribution to a worker’s retirement savings up to a cap, thanks to 401(K) matching. So, if a worker places 3% or more of their annual salary into a 401(K) plan, their employer may add 3% to their employee’s account. With a dollar-for-dollar match of up to 3%, the investor can double their money, which, per the report, is the same as a 100% profit.

Kamila Elliott, a certified financial planner and co-founder of the Atlanta-based company Collective Wealth Partners, calls a 401(K) match “one of the rare guarantees on an investment that we have” when it comes to making smart money moves.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kamila Elliott, CFP(R) (@kamilafinancial)

“If you were in Vegas and every time you put $1 in [the slot machine], you got $2 out, you’d probably be sitting at that slot machine for a mighty long time,” said Elliott, who is also a member of CNBC’s Advisor Council.

In a 2023 survey conducted by the Plan Sponsor Council of America, it was found that roughly 80% of 401(K) plans across the nation offer a matching contribution. However, employers must ultimately determine what percentage they will match for their employees. This amount can be factored into various formulas and does not look the same for each company.

One of the most common methods employers adopt is a 50-cent match for every dollar a worker puts in their 401(K) account. Per the PCSA, if a worker saves 6% of their pay, the company’s matching formula adds another 3% to their account, leaving them with a total investment of 9%.

“Where else can you get a guaranteed return of more than 50% on an investment? Nowhere,” said a 401(K) administrator, money manager, and investment advisor group, Vanguard.

While the investment seems like an easy win for employees, it is important to note that many employer “vesting schedules” or policies determine whether workers will receive the full benefits of a 401(K) match.

For example, some vesting schedules employers employ require employees to stay at a company for a set amount of time before they can claim ownership of the money in the account.

The PCSA reports that roughly 60% of companies require workers to have a tenure at the job that lasts anywhere from two to six years before they are allowed to leave and take the money contributed by both them and the employers with them. If they go before the allotted period, employees risk losing some, if not all, of their matches.

For the remaining estimated 40% of employers who do not require tenure, they have “immediate vesting” or no limitation to accessing the money matched by their employers in their 401(K) account.