• Media

by Derek Major

September 25, 2023

Chad ‘Ochocinco’ Johnson Joins Cxmmunity Media As HBCU Esports League Ambassador

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Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson is getting into esports and gaming with Cxmmunity Media, a Black-owned media technology company. The former NFL receiver is an ambassador for the fourth season of its HBCU Esports League, which began earlier this month.

According to a PR Newswire release, Johnson is the league ambassador for HBCU Esports League, which brings together gamers from 15 HBCUs to go head-to-head in a series of tournaments for a chance at $170,000 in prize money toward scholarships.

“I’m excited to be working with the HBCU Esports League and help them grow to new heights in their fourth season,” Johnson said in a statement. “Gaming has always been a passion of mine, and I wanted to support Cxmmunity Media’s mission to diversify the gaming industry.”

Students participating in the HBCU Esports League represent Howard University, North Carolina A&T, Wilberforce University, Morehouse College, Florida Memorial University, Alabama A&M, Benedict College, Claflin University, Delaware State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Southern University, and Texas Southern University.

Season four of the HBCU Esports League will be streamed on Twitch’s gaming platform and lead up to the Discover Bowl on December 17, 2023.

More than 80% of Black teens identify as gamers. However, they are significantly underrepresented, making up less than 5% of the industry. Cxmmunity Media, launched in 2021, is working to change that by providing Black gamers with a platform to showcase their skills, gain exposure and access to resources, and monetize their talent. Cxmmunity has already donated more than $1.3 million toward scholarships for HBCU students through tournament prize pools, and has engaged more than 600 Black gamers and 40 HBCUs.

Johnson, a six-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro wide receiver who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots, has been involved in the industry for years as both a gamer and a fan. He is a big fan of the FIFA soccer video game franchise and the sport itself.

• Technology

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

September 25, 2023

Uber Eats To Accept Food Stamps For Grocery Delivery Payment

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Uber Eats is becoming more inclusive to its users who are on government assistance. The food delivery service has announced that it will allow payment options for grocery delivery, including food stamps.

Users of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can utilize Uber Eats’ services as the company seeks to break the barriers impeding access to quality food for diverse groups.

The company shared the announcement of its incoming development on its website on Sept. 20.

“We know that online food delivery can have a meaningful impact in reducing barriers to fresh groceries, especially for the most vulnerable–including people living in food deserts, seniors, and those facing disabilities or transportation barriers,” detailed the statement. “Helping to improve access to quality food is incredibly important to our work at Uber, and we’re proud to use Uber’s technology and extensive local delivery networks to offer SNAP recipients the ability to use their benefits to access fresh groceries conveniently from our app in 2024.”

However, this new avenue is not the sole method Uber Eats will be rolling out to broaden its accessibility in the hopes of “simplifying how people can access healthy foods and connect with their local grocers.”

The business is also working with Managed Medicaid and Medicare Advantage plans to expand waiver payments, FSA, and Flex cards that can be used for purchases on the app.

The press release also detailed the installation of an AI assistant to promote new recipe ideas and customer shopping support, such as meal planning or finding sales on particular items.

These new services ultimately aim to connect poorer neighborhoods to higher-quality food options and aid those without the transportation and feasibility to purchase food in stores. As the rise of inflation within the past year has families across the country struggling with food insecurity, these new additions to Uber Eats hope to lessen the burden of buying groceries.

RELATED CONTENT: Delivery Gone Wrong: Black Women Draws Gun On Uber Eats Driver Who Walked Up In Her House

• Food

by Sharelle Burt

September 25, 2023

Celebrate National Cooking Day With These 5 Black Chefs Who Have Changed The Way We Eat

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One thing that Black people know how to do is cook. Over the years, the look of the culinary industry has drastically changed. From the traditional eating standards to Instagram chefs, the chefs in the aprons share one thing in common: being the best at what they do. For National Cooking Day on Sept. 25, Black Enterprise highlights five chefs killing the game in their respective lanes.

According to National Today, National Cooking Day was set up to encourage and inspire food lovers to try something new and explore the true beauty of the kitchen. From finger-licking good barbecue to fine-dining sous chefs, these five culinary artists have created a lane of their own.

Rodney Scott – South Carolina 

 

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Scott is known to make your mouth water with his traditional barbecue recipes and is often referred to as one of the U.S.’s master pit masters; the chef and business owner has made his mark as one of the industry’s favorites. His popular restaurant, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, is a staple in the Charleston community, serving fried chicken, pit-cooked chicken, mac and cheese, and, oh yeah, whole pigs.

He gives his feedback to those coming up behind him as a judge on Food Network’s BBQ Brawl.

Ayo Adeyemi – London

 

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Chef Adeyemi has brought West Africa to the U.K. As head chef of London’s Michelin-star restaurant, Akoko, Adeyemi has changed how traditional African food is celebrated.

“When I was growing up in the industry as a young chef, restaurants like this weren’t around,” Adeyemi said, according to SCMP. “So I was forced to have to learn the modern British culture, the modern Asian culture, the modern French culture.”

Under the chef’s leadership, the menu now hosts an interesting take on jollof rice, served with BBQ, native blue lobster, and smoked goat with mustard seeds.

Nyesha Arrington – California

 

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Her multiracial upbringing has made her keen sense of taste a powerful force in the industry. Arrington, who grew up with a Korean and Black background, trained with top cooks to pick up a spatula and has served as the head chef at Wilshire in Santa Monica, California. Arrington prides herself on concurring many food lanes, including “that path of France and nouvelle cuisine,” she told The New York Times, but she says the main thing she loves is finding the common denominator in food.

While she has made appearances in the Los Angeles Times and GQ, she currently stars as a judge on the cooking competition show Next Level Chef.

Jerrelle Guy – Florida

 

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If you have a sweet tooth, make sure you’re following Jerrelle Guy. Her mouth-watering treats come with a unique spin, ranging from black bean brownies to brown sugar strawberry jalapeno lime pie. Her different recipes have given her a reputation to be proud of, catching the eye of fellow Black girl chefs like Carla Hall, and she was even nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award.

The cookbook author has also been featured on the Netflix series High on the Hog.

Chef Resha – YouTube

If you’re looking for simple but fulfilling recipes, tap into Chef Resha’s delicious YouTube page. So many chefs used the pandemic to uplift their craft, and Resha is one of several that wears the crown. Check out her steak and cheese stuffed peppers or bacon cheeseburger egg rolls recipe and tell her BE sent you.

Emmy-nominated actress Kerry Washington had a difficult decision to share about her body in her new memoir, Thicker Than Water.

The 46-year-old Hollywood star got candid about the decision to detail her abortion in the memoir. According to People, Washington, a mom of three, said a romantic situation she pursued in her 20s led to the unplanned pregnancy.

“I struggled a lot in the beginning with whether or not to include my abortion story,” Washington said. “At first, I wasn’t really sure how it fit into this story of my life. But I started to feel like it was really important for me to share this.”

The Scandal actress, who was leveling up in the industry then, said she gave the doctors a fake name to protect her privacy.

“This story had so much to do with my understanding of myself and the world as my career unfolded,” she said. Shame and the feeling of hypocrisy weighed heavy on the actress throughout the abortion process as she spent several of her teen years as a sexual health educator. “It’s just so important to me that abortion is not a bad word and that my abortion is not another thing on the list of things that I’m ashamed of,” Washington said. “We’re at a moment where it’s really important to be telling the truth about our reproductive choices because some of those choices are being stripped away from us.”

President Joe Biden is yet again the topic of conversation for what he said during a speech over the weekend when he appeared at The Congressional Black Caucus’ annual dinner.

People were unhappy with the 46th president of the United States after he mispronounced LL Cool J’s moniker and then referred to the hip-hop legend and actor as “boy.”

The president acknowledged two New York rappers, LL Cool J and MC Lyte, for their contributions to the music industry in Washington, D.C. They were there to receive the Phoenix Award during the CBC’s 52nd Annual Legislative Conference. While talking about LL, he called him ‘LL Jay Cool J.’ After the crowd laughed at his blunder, while describing LL’s muscular arms, President Biden called him “boy” then corrected himself by referring to him as “a man “when completing his sentence.

“Two of the great artists of our time representing the groundbreaking legacy of hip hop in America, LL Jay Cool J, uhhh…” Biden says on the microphone. “By the way, that boy’s got— that man’s got biceps bigger than my thighs.” He also acknowledged New Edition and Bell, Biv, Devoe member Michael Bivins.

Social media users criticized the president for his speech.

Joe Biden wanted to call LL Cool J a big strapping buck pic.twitter.com/xYuyQxTiLG

— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) September 24, 2023

Joe Biden calls LL Cool J “boy” . I think his mind is stuck in the 60s. pic.twitter.com/8zUyaeQLlT

— Malachi Maxey (@malachimaxeyusa) September 24, 2023

Didn’t have Biden calling LL Cool J boy on the bingo card

— JP BROOKLYN (@JPBROOKLYN42) September 24, 2023

Joe Biden calling LL Cool J “boy” sound very natural 😂🤡 pic.twitter.com/m2AwRoIld7

— J (@shadblv) September 24, 2023

If it wasn’t for the fact that Biden has, in the past, referred to Black men as boys, which has historically racist undertones,  it may not have been such a big issue. Complex reported that earlier this year, he referred to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore as “boy.” The incident occurred when he spoke to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in February.

He said, “You got a hell of a new governor in Wes Moore, I tell ya. He’s the real deal, and the boy looked like he could still play. He’s got some guns on him.”

RELATED CONTENT: NYC Transit To Distribute 80,000 Metro Cards Featuring Cam’Ron, LL COOL J, Rakim, And Pop Smoke

by Daniel Johnson

September 25, 2023

Amazon Delivery Drivers Look To Join UPS To Make More Money After Record Setting Deal With Teamsters

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UPS drivers on average deliver fewer packages each day than Amazon drivers and were successful securing better living wages. According to Business Insider, this is leading some of its drivers, like 24-year-old Jordan Talmon, to consider other options even after the Amazon Delivery Service Partner Talmon works for raised its wages from $17 an hour to $18 an hour.

“It’s a dollar raise. I wasn’t really that excited about it, honestly,” Talmon remarked.

“Seems kind of pitiful compared to UPS.”

Amazon’s delivery drivers are subcontracted out to different DSPs to keep them from being directly employed by Amazon. As a result, those delivery workers can’t officially unionize collectively. Some workers, however, have joined the Amazon Labor Union. Others are aware that the Teamsters have an Amazon Division, whose goal is to establish a union for Amazon’s delivery drivers.

Amazon spent millions of dollars in 2022 to prevent its drivers, whom they have referred to as contract workers, from classifying them as employees.

According to Vice, this was done to specifically discourage the workers from unionizing under a Teamsters contract. Now, it appears that those efforts could cost them delivery drivers as many know the money UPS drivers make following their record-setting deal with Teamsters.

Randy Korgan, director of the Teamsters Amazon Division, told Vice, “Amazon has a level of responsibility that they’re trying to escape here. If the subcontractor is its own entity, and the subcontractor employs these drivers, then what is their interest in making sure that there are anti-union consultants meeting with drivers for a company that they don’t have any control over?”

In April, a group of 84 California-based Amazon drivers and dispatchers who joined a Teamsters union negotiated a deal to raise their pay from $20 an hour to $30 an hour. Still, that deal is contained to that specific group of workers and it is contingent upon Amazon renewing its contract with BTS. 

Amazon uses around 3,000 subcontractors, so unionizing against Amazon and its union-busting tactics has proven difficult. However, the Teamsters have made inroads by negotiating with the subcontractors directly. Some subcontractors are afraid to negotiate with the Teamsters for fear that Amazon could retaliate by not renewing their contract, which is technically illegal, but not if Amazon can prove that there have been reliability issues over the life of their contract and not simply because a subcontractor voted to unionize their drivers.

In the short term, however, drivers like Talmon and another driver that works for the same subcontractor, Hunter Deaver, are eyeing a switch to UPS during the extremely busy holiday season. 

“I think it puts Amazon in this situation where they’re going to have to decide if they want to keep quality drivers or not,” Deaver told Business Insider.

Benjamin Sachs, a labor professor at Harvard Law School, told Vox that the long-term future of Amazon drivers is contingent on how labor law interprets Amazon’s relationship with its delivery drivers and its delivery service providers.

“If Amazon is able to get away with ignoring the workers’ decision and hiding behind the subcontractor relationships, then I’m afraid we’ll have yet another story of the failure of American labor law,” Sachs said.

“If this leads to a recognition that these drivers are Amazon employees, joint employees, then this could be massively important.”

RELATED CONTENT: Tech Workers Respond To UPS Workers Netting $170K Salaries In Union Deal

• Lifestyle

by Atiya Jordan

September 25, 2023

Here’s Why Black-Owned La Fête Wine Company Is Heading For No. 1

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As a toast to the new autumn season, BLACK ENTERPRISE would like to share an empowering conversation with the founder and CEO of La Fête Wine Co., Donae Burston. He dropped seasonal sipping tips, business knowledge, and receipts about his journey to becoming the world’s No.1 rosé wine brand.

As a Black-owned brand, La Fête has been a disruptor in the alcohol industry since its inception in 2019.

The world traveler is no stranger to the wine industry, having worked with iconic luxury brands for over 15 years. After one conversation, we captured the essence of Burston’s ongoing quest to bridge the gap between Black buyers, winemakers, decision-makers, and restaurateurs.

Leveraging his connections, Burston witnessed firsthand just how quintessential the multicultural consumer is to the industry.

“When you get into the alcohol business, it is extremely challenging when you don’t have a celebrity as the face of the brand. Certainly we caught a lot of flack in the beginning,” Burston told BE.

“Now some other brands have caught onto our messaging, and they’re starting to see that the value and the growth of the category is really outside of the cliche,” he continued.

“Immerse yourself in every aspect of the business,” Burston advised, crediting his thirst for knowledge despite facing the challenges of inviting people of color, an audience often overlooked in the wine industry and the conversation.

I tried the wine!

Burston suggested that we warm up our chilly nights with his rosé, its delicate sweetness and freshness reminiscent of a sunset on a beach. The liquid gold paired perfectly with a hearty grilled salmon meal. The exquisite La Fête Blanc danced on my palate. Its vibrant, fruity flavors transported me to the dance floor as if I were on a honeymoon island.

Burston said that La Fête is where the party meets approachable luxury. “You can consume it however you want.”

La Fête is home wherever you are.

Burston is the 2023 Breakthru Tastemaker, leading a legacy for his wine brand La Fête du Rosé by creating an ecosystem for Black and Brown wine founders.

“Knowing that I have to start to let go and bring on a team that is far more better than I am at things has been a game changer,” Burston explained. “Instead of trying to do everything not well, we’re going to do things amazingly well by bringing in the talent.”

The movement continues in the wake of DEI casualties despite the slowing down of business connections with major retailers. Burston started strong with generous donations to The Roots Fund and continues to support organizations that expose underrepresented youth to the world via travel. All Abroad Inc. was their first beneficiary and partner.

In a continuous effort to connect the Black community with wine, La Fête Wine Company is currently sponsoring The Roots Fund’s HBCU Wine Tour in partnership with Michael Lavelle Wines.

“For La Fête, we need to be where that consumer is,” Burston said. He contemplated just how far and wide his brand continues to go.

“Here, it is brand validation and brand association. It’s about brand discovery in other places and bringing a piece of home with you.”

Cheers to that!

RELATED CONTENT: The Luxurious Rise Of The Youngest Black-Owned Wine Company

• Entrepreneurship

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

September 25, 2023

Young Black Woman Quits Microsoft Job, Launches Groundbreaking Wooden Watch Collection

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In a bold move that underscores the power of entrepreneurship and representation, Shanayla Sweat, a dynamic young Black woman, departed her exciting role at Microsoft to establish A Few Wood Men, a trailblazing Black-owned wooden watch collection designed exclusively for men and women of distinction.

Sweat’s journey is an inspiring narrative of breaking barriers and following a passion-driven path. With a vision to empower and celebrate men of distinction, Sweat embarked on her entrepreneurial venture to redefine the watch industry.

A Few Wood Men goes beyond timepieces: It encapsulates the spirit of empowerment and strength that men exude. “As an African American woman, I realized the significance of positive representation and the need to create a space that celebrates men’s empowerment,” said Shanayla. “A Few Wood Men is a tribute to the strong, distinguished men in our lives who shape communities and inspire change.”

Related: 27-YEAR-OLD QUITS CORPORATE JOB, BUILDS HER OWN EMPIRE, NOW GIVING $25K IN FUNDING TO BLACK ENTREPRENEURS

With a deep-rooted commitment to providing positive representation and acknowledging the stories that shaped her journey, Sweat’s brand stands as a symbol of inclusivity. The watches are not just accessories; they embody the values that drive men to break down barriers, shatter stereotypes, and embrace their unique journeys.

Sweat’s decision to transition from a notable position at Microsoft to becoming a changemaker through A Few Wood Men speaks volumes about her dedication to fostering empowerment and challenging norms. Her journey is a testament to the power of pursuing one’s dreams, regardless of obstacles.

A Few Wood Men offers a diverse range of meticulously crafted wooden watches that embody elegance, style, and strength. The collection reflects the essence of men and women who are leaders and community pillars. Each watch is a reminder of the unique stories and experiences that shape individuals.

This news first appeared on blacknews.com.

• News

by Daniel Johnson

September 25, 2023

Memphis Popeyes Location Closed After Video Shows Roaches In The Kitchen

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A Memphis, Tennessee, Popeyes restaurant was recently shut down after a video posted to TikTok by former employee Tykeia Ransom went viral. In the video, roaches are seen scurrying across surfaces that come into contact with food and several other kitchen areas.

According to WREG, the manager of the Popeyes location was made aware of the roach infestation and still wanted to serve the food, Ransom told WREG.

“I got fired for the previous video that I had recorded on TikTok.”

Ransom also discussed the extent of the roach problem, saying,

“It’s very bad. It’s everywhere and all in the food you know and everything you can think of. All in the rice.” Ransom continued to say that things escalated when she alerted the manager to the problem. “The G.M. knew about it. It’s been a problem; you get what I’m saying? And when I tried to tell her about it, we got into it.”

 

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After WREG contacted Popeyes’ corporate office about the situation, the company responded swiftly. Not only did Popeyes send an e-mail confirming the practice violated its company policy, but it would also investigate how this happened and close the store until the roach problem was solved.

Popeyes writes: “Absolutely nothing about the condition of the restaurant in this video is acceptable. Even though the Health Department visited yesterday and confirmed no issues at the restaurant located at 4720 Showcase Blvd, Memphis, TN, we shut it down, thoroughly cleaned and will not reopen until we understand what happened and team members have been retrained on proper procedures.”

Ransom is not interested in getting her job back:

“I don’t want my job back because that’s the rudest company I ever worked for.”

According to Fox 13 Memphis, several customers expressed frustrations with that particular Popeyes location. Donald Ellis told Fox 13, “They don’t worry about the customers like how they eat and what they eat. It’s all about money,”

The news station reached out to the Shelby County Health Department, which handles food inspections, to see when the restaurant would reopen, but they have not responded to those inquiries. Ransom has set up a GoFundMe to help her cover her expenses until she can find another job, and the whistleblower says that she will never work in food service or for Popeyes again.

RELATED CONTENT: Chris Brown Faces $2 Million Suit Over Defaulted Popeyes Chicken Loan

• Sports

by Daniel Johnson

September 25, 2023

Shannon Sharpe Tells Stephen A. Smith Why He Left ‘Undisputed’

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In a lengthy episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show podcast,  Smith sat down with his First Take co-host Shannon Sharpe, delving into Sharpe’s much-talked-about departure from the rival show, Undisputed.

Sharpe made his First Take debut with Smith for the full two hours on Sept. 4-5, following Week 1 of college football and the opening week of the NFL regular season. Their appearance on First Take marked the first time HBCU alums had co-hosted. (Smith went to Winston-Salem State; Sharpe attended Savannah State.)

The conversation turned to Sharpe’s exit from Undisputed, which was spurred by comments from his co-host Skip Bayless that he was jealous of quarterback Tom Brady. Bayless told Sharpe, “[Brady]‘s still playing at a high level at 45 when you had to stop at 35, that’s the point!”

You could hear the raw emotion in Sharpe’s voice in his response to Bayless: “That’s what you do. Every time I call something into question, ‘I’m jealous’. Skip, I did what I did. You make it seem like I was a bum! I’m in the effing Hall of Fame. I’ve got three Super Bowls…See what you do, you take personal shots…You’re willing to take a personal shot at me to say this man is better than me because I say he’s playing bad this year?…You would disrespect me to support him!”

Sharpe candidly discussed with Smith what ultimately led to the exit, telling Smith “it had gotten to the point where we needed to go our separate ways. I wish it had been handled differently, but it was handled the way that it was.”

Sharpe admitted that he had certain “blind spots” when it came to Bayless.

He added that the fallout of the Tom Brady incident can be chalked up to instances where he let Bayless slide with snide remarks. Sharpe shared that it took quite a bit for him not to lay hands on his co-host during the Tom Brady incident. He then recalled a lesson from his grandmother in Georgia where she told him, “Don’t you be no slave to loyalty.”

Smith noted that Sharpe’s personal conduct is probably due to his upbringing in the South, as he noted that there is a tendency for Black men in the South not to tolerate disrespect from anyone.

Sharpe agreed: “It’s kind of like a bully, once a bully does something to you, if you don’t stand up, he’ll keep doing it.”

This is embarrassing behavior on air from Skip here. And when Shannon takes the glasses off…we’ve all been there… pic.twitter.com/ntXvIFuFni

— Jay Scott Smith (@JayScottSmith) December 12, 2022

Sharpe told Smith that eventually his relationship with Bayless was more or less contained to their workspace because that’s how Bayless wanted it.

RELATED CONTENT: Shannon Sharpe Calls Stephen A. Smith ‘Skip’ Multiple Times in ‘First Take’ Debut