It was certainly a star-studded event for Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. I can’t remember when I’ve seen so many black stars in one space. I would not be surprised if Tyler starts doing a black movie and music awards on the campus. Super congrats to him. Rodney Ho covers the red carpet at the event.
JACQUE AYE’S NIGERIAN MAGICAL GIRL TALE ‘ADORNED BY CHI’ SIGNS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH MWM UNIVERSEDallas-based black entrepreneur Jacque Aye, creator of “Adorned by Chi,” the anime and manga-inspired Nigerian Magical Girl franchise/universe, has signed with MWM and its MWM Universe division, Morgan Kruger & Diana Williams of MWMu announced today. Aye’s “Adorned by Chi,” tells the tale of Adaeze, a painfully shy college student who discovers she has Goddess-like powers and must, reluctantly, lead a team of young warriors to defeat an apocalyptic monster that threatens to destroy humanity and save the world. MWM Universe and Aye are developing the story across multiple platforms including animation, comic book/literary, merchandise and film/tv.
“Adorned by Chi” is inspired by the Japanese Magical Girl genre and series like “Revolutionary Girl Utena,” “Puella Magi Madoka Magica,” and “Sailor Moon.” The story also takes inspiration from elements of Igbo culture & lore, including Goddesses like Ala, Uhamiri and more.
“Jacque Aye’s fresh and nerdy approach to expanding Manga and celebrating diversity is more important than ever,” said Kruger, EVP of Operations & Williams, EVP of Creative at MWMu. “Her ability to weave a story and characters that resonate with both women and men in the shifting Anime genre is impressive. As one of the top e-commerce black entrepreneurs in creative, she understands how stories need multiple touchpoints with today’s audiences and how young women – especially those of color – need to see themselves reflected in the genre in empowering ways.”
Aye quote, “I set out to create ‘Adorned by Chi’ because I wanted to see myself, a young Nigerian-American woman, reflected in the genre I and many others enjoyed so much growing up. It’s been a joy crafting this world and I look forward to expanding my vision with the help of MWM in not only the current merchandise but animation, comics and more!”
Aye will be appearing at New York Comic Con on October 5th. Be sure to follow @AdornedByChi for updates on when and where. Enter the world of Adorned by Chi by grabbing free pdf manga, merchandise and more: https://shop.adornedbychi.com/collections/comics
PERFORMANCES BY NAUGHTY BY NATURE, KEKE WYATT, KELLY PRICE, 702, LE’ANDRIA JOHNSON, MAJOR. AND MORE
(CHICAGO, IL) – September 4, 2019 – R&B singer Tamia will receive the Soul Music Icon Award during the 4th Annual Black Music Honors award show in Atlanta, GA. The sultry vocal powerhouse will be recognized for her decades of chart-topping songs during the taping on Thursday, September 5th at The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
Artists slated to perform are Naughty by Nature, Keke Wyatt, Jagged Edge, Kelly Price, 702, Le’Andria Johnson, Avery Wilson, Dee-1, Jade Novah, Leon Timbo, MAJOR., Mali Music, Tony Terry, Jekalyn Carr, Jessie Woo, Melanie Fiona, June’s Diary, Travis Greene, Maimouna Youssef aka Mumu Fresh, and Tevin Campbell.
Tamia joins fellow honorees Xscape, Yolanda Adams, Arrested Development, and Freddie Jackson. Hosted by television and radio personality Rickey Smiley and Grammy® Award-Winner and actress LeToya Luckett, the two-hour television special will celebrate artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to the African American culture and American music worldwide.
Tickets are available at www.blackmusichonors.com and www.ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6 p.m. and taping begins at 7 p.m. The show will air Sunday, October 20 at noon EST on Bounce TV, and in national syndication, September 14 – October 20. The broadcast schedule is available at www.blackmusichonors.com.
The 2019 Black Music Honors show is sponsored by State Farm and AT&T, executive produced by Don Jackson with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as producer, and Michael A. Johnson as producer and director.
For more information on Black Music Honors, please visit www.blackmusichonors.com and connect on social media @blackmusichonors and #blackmusichonors.
Black Music Honors is an annual two-hour event that acknowledges the legendary African American artists who have influenced and made significant musical contributions to African American culture and American music worldwide. Produced by Chicago-based production company Central City Productions (CCP) and hosted by Rickey Smiley, television and radio personality, and Grammy Award-winner and actress, LeToya Luckett. For more information visit www.blackmusichonors.com
Founded in 1970 by Don Jackson, Chicago-based Central City Productions, Inc. is a distributor of original targeted programming to television and cable networks. CCP’s award-winning television programs include The Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Stellar Tribute to the Holidays, Stellar Sunday, The Black College Quiz Show Series, and Mentoring Kings, among many others. For more information, visit www.stellartv.com.
BizBenNetwork.com has created an innovative alternative to classified-based business for sale websites.
BizBen.com has recently launched a new platform for buying and selling businesses nationwide – BizBenNetwork.com. The new website is an innovation on traditional classified platforms by including features such as automatic matching of business buyer and seller and other online tools that increase user interaction and transactions.
BizBen.com, the first original online platform for buying and selling small businesses, built BizBenNetwork.com upon the insight from the studies and surveys it has conducted over 25 years. The main insight gathered from its research was that current users on classified websites experienced diminishing marginal returns with every increase in effort. BizBenNetwork.com was created with proprietary TruMatch technology (online auto matching of business buyers & sellers), and social-promotional tools that help users buy and sell small businesses within a three months’ time period.
“BizBenNetwork’s TruMatch technology automatically matches members selling businesses with members interested in buying those businesses,” says Peter Siegel, MBA, CEO of BizBenNetwork.com. “Matched members can then communicate easily through the platform’s direct messaging, making deals quicker.”
Along with tools that support making individual deals happen more quickly, BizBenNetwork.com has a blog and discussions section where members can create content to promote themselves and attract more business. Blogs and discussions can be found at the bottom of relevant postings, efficiently spreading helpful information along with rewarding members that contribute content.
Utilizing BizBenNetwork’s features and new network-based model makes it possible to buy or sell a US-based small business in a dramatically shorter period of time.
While the rest of the category was focused on kids, Keisha seized the opportunity to cater to adults who wanted to enjoy applesauce without being subjected to pouches or uninspired flavors.
Growing up in the Bahamas, Keisha fell in love with fruits. Her favorite childhood pastime was climbing the fruit trees in her backyard, stuffing her little pockets with the sun-sweetened treasures of each season. While attending the University of Virginia, she missed the flavors of home. It was there that Keisha created her own version of applesauce using Granny Smith’s green apples.
Currently, a $900M market with 99% of the spending focused on children, Keisha believes that applesauce is ready for the kind of disruption that grew yogurt from an 8BN category to the 125BN category that it is today – and that sanaía is the brand that will lead the way. Her hunch that the applesauce category was ripe for disruption has been affirmed in so many ways along this journey. The most exciting manifestation of this journey has been the sanaía launch in 800 Walmart stores across the country.
Infused with plant-based ingredients and exotic fruits like guava, ginger, tamarind, and lavender, sanaía is made with whole Granny Smith green apple wedges and has all the makings of the next 1BN entrant to the adult snacking category. She developed sanaía with the goal of creating a healthy snack that proves what she has long known to be true – fruits are nature’s most delectable desserts.
sanaía applesauce is the perfect snack for vegan and kosher palettes and for adults that are craving snack options that are non-GMO, low sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free, allergen-free that taste delicious and is only 60-80 calories per serving. Keisha shares: “I created sanaía because I believe that what we eat provides us with the fuel we need to live the life we want.” sanaía APPLESAUCE, reimagined for everybody.
Keisha’s journey as a small business owner has been truly transformational. Her first time pitching sanaía to investors happened to be on ABC’s Shark Tank! Not only did she secure an investment offer from investor and business mogul Mark Cuban, but her episode went viral sparking conversations: “Being a black entrepreneur while maintaining a corporate job has been challenging and rewarding. For some of us, quitting the day job is not an option for many black entrepreneurs, particularly black entrepreneurs of color who tend to be the first of their generation to ‘make it.”
While the rest of the category was focused on kids, Keisha seized the opportunity to cater to adults who wanted to enjoy applesauce without being subjected to pouches or uninspired flavors.
Growing up in the Bahamas, Keisha fell in love with fruits. Her favorite childhood pastime was climbing the fruit trees in her backyard, stuffing her little pockets with the sun-sweetened treasures of each season. While attending the University of Virginia, she missed the flavors of home. It was there that Keisha created her own version of applesauce using Granny Smith’s green apples.
Currently, a $900M market with 99% of the spending focused on children, Keisha believes that applesauce is ready for the kind of disruption that grew yogurt from an 8BN category to the 125BN category that it is today – and that sanaía is the brand that will lead the way. Her hunch that the applesauce category was ripe for disruption has been affirmed in so many ways along this journey. The most exciting manifestation of this journey has been the sanaía launch in 800 Walmart stores across the country.
Infused with plant-based ingredients and exotic fruits like guava, ginger, tamarind, and lavender, sanaía is made with whole Granny Smith green apple wedges and has all the makings of the next 1BN entrant to the adult snacking category. She developed sanaía with the goal of creating a healthy snack that proves what she has long known to be true – fruits are nature’s most delectable desserts.
sanaía applesauce is the perfect snack for vegan and kosher palettes and for adults that are craving snack options that are non-GMO, low sugar, gluten-free, dairy-free, allergen-free that taste delicious and is only 60-80 calories per serving. Keisha shares: “I created sanaía because I believe that what we eat provides us with the fuel we need to live the life we want.” sanaía APPLESAUCE, reimagined for everybody.
Keisha’s journey as a small business owner has been truly transformational. Her first time pitching sanaía to investors happened to be on ABC’s Shark Tank! Not only did she secure an investment offer from investor and business mogul Mark Cuban, but her episode went viral sparking conversations: “Being a black entrepreneur while maintaining a corporate job has been challenging and rewarding. For some of us, quitting the day job is not an option for many black entrepreneurs, particularly black entrepreneurs of color who tend to be the first of their generation to ‘make it.”
“As someone very involved in the Tea Party movement, I have seen firsthand the impact that grassroots Americans can have when they come together, organize and speak out. I applaud the efforts of Guns & God Appreciation Day organizers and encourage lovers of Liberty to get involved,” The Senator remarked.
Rand Paul is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, limited government, and the rights of the people to petition their government.
Regarding this major endorsement, Larry Ward, President of the Constitutional Rights PAC and coalition organizer, said, “Senator Paul has been a great supporter of liberty and he has dedicated his career in the U.S. Senate to fighting to protect our constitutional rights.”
Constitutional Rights PAC is urging supporters to peacefully come out on the 14th of September to participate in this nationwide petition for the protection of the 2nd Amendment.
Coalition organizers are asking demonstrators to peacefully show up en masse to gun stores, gun ranges, state capitals and town squares across the country to celebrate our God-given Second Amendment Rights and protest against the government’s attempts to undermine them.
We encourage participants to be prayerful about returning our nation to God as the only solution to the hatred and mass murder plaguing our blessed nation.
The Guns & God website can be found here.
FORTO Coffee, maker of the World’s 1st Coffee Shot and America’s #1 Organic Ready-to-Drink Coffee, today announced that Hall of Famer and businessman Shaquille O’Neal will become a co-owner of the company and the new face of the FORTO brand.
The alignment with Shaq, coupled with a $20 million investment last year, including $15 million investement.
“I can enjoy a FORTO Coffee Shot anytime, anywhere,” said O’Neal. “Plus, it’s organic, tastes great, and best of all, it fits in my pocket. These coffee shots have given me the energy to stay active and I’m excited to be at the forefront of the future of coffee.”
As FORTO’s global ambassador, Shaq will headline the brand’s multi-channel marketing campaign, which launches across TV, out of home, in-store, digital and social media in the coming year. Shaq has had unprecedented success as an investor, business owner and black entrepreneur. FORTO Coffee Shots are the perfect fit for Shaq’s busy lifestyle, providing him with fast-acting and great-tasting energy that lasts all day long.
“Shaq embodies what FORTO is all about: fast-acting, positive energy,” says Neel Premkumar, Founder and CEO of FORTO Coffee. “He’s a living example of how FORTO can help people get the most out of their days from a coffee drink that they can feel good about.”
FORTO Coffee Shots are available in more than 50,000 retail locations nationwide, as well as online on Amazon and at www.FORTOcoffee.com. They come in a variety of delicious flavors, including Vanilla Latte, Chocolate Latte, and more.
About FORTO
FORTO is the #1 Coffee Shot, a ready-to-drink beverage providing the equivalent energy of two cups of coffee in a 2-ounce shot. Fast-acting and made with 100% organic coffee, FORTO is leading a new wave of ready-to-drink coffees that are changing the way people get their daily energy boost. FORTO is owned by Dyla Brands, one of the fastest-growing beverage manufacturers in America. FORTO is sold in over 50,000 retail locations nationally, on Amazon, and at FORTOCoffee.com. To learn more about FORTO, visit FORTOcoffee.com.
Byron Allen is the Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios, one of the largest privately-held media companies in the world, and happens to be African-American
Comcast/NBCUniversal and the Trump Department of Justice are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to roll back civil rights. It started with a racial discrimination case I brought against Comcast. After losing twice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Comcast went to the U.S. Supreme Court. And now they’ve brought the Trump Administration along to take their side in the highest court, putting at risk all Americans’ civil rights for their own financial gain.
Byron Allen. Founder/Chairman/CEO, Entertainment Studios. (PRNewsfoto/Entertainment Studios)
Byron Allen. Founder/Chairman/CEO, Entertainment Studios. (PRNewsfoto/Entertainment Studios)
Comcast/NBCUniversal, the largest cable operator and residential broadband provider in the U.S., enjoys the image of a progressive, diverse media company, holding itself out as an organization that stands up to discrimination and gives voice to progressive viewpoints and people of color. It’s the same company that brings Rachel Maddow, Chris Hayes, Joy Reid and Lester Holt into your living room every day and unsparingly covers Donald Trump’s racist Twitter rants. If all you did was watch Comcast’s MSNBC and NBC programming, you would never know that the company is quietly attacking civil rights in the U.S. Supreme Court right now, in an effort to deny us a fair shot at doing business with the company and in the process, gutting the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and its prohibition against racial discrimination in contracting.
But that’s what they’re doing. Perverting a key provision of the law that protects minority businesses at a time when people of color are under heightened attack. All for what Comcast says is in its best financial interest. While it is not unusual for a big corporation to defend itself in court, what makes this case different is the stark contrast between how Comcast presents itself to its viewers and subscribers on the one hand, and how it presents itself to the U.S. Supreme Court on the other. The very same company whose anchors, commentators, and correspondents report on and excoriate Donald Trump for his racist statements, is arguing to the U.S. Supreme Court that African Americans, Latinos, and every other racial minority should have a harder time winning relief under the Civil Rights Act. And now Comcast has teamed up with Donald Trump to keep African-Americans and other minorities from achieving economic inclusion and equality.
Comcast is the defendant in a lawsuit brought by my company, Entertainment Studios, which produces TV shows and owns TV networks for distribution on cable and satellite platforms, including channels in the comedy, entertainment, and news genres. Like all such companies, Entertainment Studios must sell its channels to the big Pay-TV distributors, like Comcast, who decide which channels to carry and under what terms. We allege that after multiple meetings with Comcast programming executives, and after demonstrating our channels’ competitive ratings, critical acclaim, and distribution by many of Comcast’s competitors (Verizon Fios, DIRECTV, AT&T/U-Verse, and DISH Network), Comcast declined to carry any Entertainment Studios channels and instead carried similarly-themed, lower quality channels that were not owned by minorities. We also allege that a Comcast executive explained the decision by saying “we don’t need any more Bob Johnsons” — a reference to the African-American billionaire founder of the cable network BET, suggesting that Comcast did not want to do a deal with my company because of my race. Based on this and other evidence that race was a motivating factor in Comcast’s decision not to carry my TV channels, my company sued under The Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, a federal statute that prohibits racial discrimination in contracting. The law was enacted to give the newly-freed slaves a pathway to economic inclusion. On June 10, 2019, petitioned by Comcast after it lost twice in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on the question of what evidence a plaintiff must show to establish a claim under the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
Comcast, which makes billions of dollars annually from African-American subscribers, has taken the position that a plaintiff must show that racial discrimination was the only, 100 percent “but for” reason not to do business with African Americans. In other words, Comcast argues that an African American-owned business must show not only that the defendant considered race (which the statute forbids), but that the professed, hypothetical race-neutral reasons that could have motivated the defendant are false. In this case, that means that Entertainment Studios would have to prove that race was the only reason Comcast refused to do business with it, not simply a major reason. The impact, of course, is to make it much, much harder for me and other Americans, today and in the future, to secure economic inclusion.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals completely rejected this argument. It ruled in my company’s favor, not once, but twice, stating that if a plaintiff shows that race was a “motivating factor” among many in a contracting decision, that is enough to state a claim under the Civil Rights Act of 1866. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled wisely. There are many possible explanations for any business decision. It is very difficult to prove that race was the only factor in deciding against doing a deal. In other areas of discrimination law, courts have ruled that a plaintiff need only prove that race was a motivating factor, shifting the burden to the defendant to show that the same decision would have been made without regard to race. That is our position and it is consistent with the language and history of the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
Unfortunately, rather than accept the judgment of two rulings from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Comcast used its enormous wealth and power to challenge and put at risk a very important civil rights statute in the U.S. Supreme Court, endangering all Americans’ civil rights in the pursuit of Comcast’s own financial gain. We should not be surprised. Comcast knows how to control lawmakers, regulators, politicians, and advocacy groups. They consistently rank among the top spenders on lobbying, along with defense contractors and other large industries. One civil rights leader told us that while he opposes Comcast’s manipulative legal actions “Comcast has us by the b***s.” There it is. Civil rights organizations are afraid to speak out against Comcast, because Comcast gives them money, stopping them from doing what they were created to do – fight for and maintain our civil rights.
Now, Comcast even has persuaded Donald Trump to join them in taking a stand against civil rights in the U.S. Supreme Court. Comcast’s top executives supported Hillary Clinton for president. NBC and MSNBC criticize Donald Trump constantly. Trump delights in calling out Comcast and the rest of the “mainstream media.” But when it comes to rolling back civil rights, Comcast and Trump bury the hatchet and team up against us to make sure we are economically excluded forever.
Comcast’s current posture before the U.S. Supreme Court is consistent with its behavior over the last several years. Billionaire Michael Bloomberg had to sue Comcast for violating an FCC order requiring Comcast to compete lawfully and place the Bloomberg business news channel in the same lineup as Comcast’s own business channel, CNBC. As a broadband provider, Comcast has deployed technology to slow competitors’ video over the internet (just ask Netflix) and when caught by the FCC, rather than reform their behavior, Comcast sued the U.S. government.
Unfortunately, Comcast has chosen to use the U.S. Supreme Court to maximize its own profits, if Comcast thinks that we are wrong, it should go to trial and make its case. It should not challenge and put at risk all minorities’ ability to prove discrimination under the Civil Rights Act that has been in place for 153 years. Meanwhile, I hope that people of conscience will let the U.S. Supreme Court, Donald Trump’s DOJ, and Comcast know, enough is enough. Dr. Maya Angelou taught us if we give them one hair on our head, eventually we will wake up bald. Four hundred years after the start of slavery in America, every day, America kills African-Americans in the classroom by making sure we don’t get a proper education; in the boardroom by making sure we don’t have true economic inclusion; and in the courtroom with Jim Crow laws and massive incarceration, long before you watch us bleed to death in the streets. I hope that America takes this historic opportunity to make sure that we have equal rights for all and don’t allow Comcast — headed by CEO Brian Roberts — to manipulate civil rights laws in partnership with the Donald Trump Administration, which will hurt millions of Americans, for Comcast’s own financial gain.
Coretta Scott King, the widow of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was a friend of mine and I’ll never forget what she told me. She said, “Byron, as African Americans in this country, we had four major challenges. Number one, end slavery. Number two, end Jim Crow. Number three, achieve civil rights. And number four, the real reason they killed my Martin, achieve economic inclusion.” I told Mrs. King, “you and Dr. King have done more than enough, and we will pursue the fourth and final chapter, and achieve economic inclusion.” She told me, “they will come after you, and there’s nothing they won’t do to stop you.” So, on November 13th, 2019, when I am standing in the U.S. Supreme Court defending our civil rights laws and protecting our pathway to economic inclusion, I will have in my heart Coretta Scott King, who told me that this moment would come. Although the U.S. government has told the U.S. Supreme Court to rule against us, we all know that it’s not fair. It’s not fair because we will be standing there with the truth — along with the wisdom, the guidance, and resilience of our spiritual ancestors. And fortunately for us, Comcast will only be standing there with just Donald Trump.
The Fearless Fund invests in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A funding. With a mission of bridging the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies, Fearless Fund is built by women of color for women of color. Since its recent initiation, the Fearless Fund has hosted pitch competitions at Facebook Headquarters & Spanx Headquarters with brand partners such as Coca-Cola, UrbanSkinRX, Bumble and more.
Through Fearless Fund, Founding Partners Arian Simone and Keshia Knight Pulliam are highlighting how diversity significantly impacts a company’s performance and potential to provide investor returns. In fact, a 2018 report released by Boston Consulting Group found that for every dollar of funding a startup in their study received, female-run startups generated an average of 78 cents in revenue while male-run startups generated 31 cents. Despite a greater potential to produce higher returns, women are historically underfunded–particularly women of color. “The Fearless fund is designed to change the narrative as it relates to funding allocated to women of color,” states Arian Simone.
In 2018, U.S. companies raised a total of $130B in VC funding. A mere 2.2% of that total went toward female-founded companies and less than 1% of total funding was allocated toward businesses founded by women of color (Fortune, 2018 & GirlBoss, 2019). This is not a “pipeline issue” or a result of a lack of VC-eligible, women of color-led companies. In fact, Fearless Fund already has five companies in its portfolio including Ellis Island Tea founded by Forbes 30 Under 30 black entrepreneur Nailah Ellis-Brown, the first African-American female to ever own a beverage production facility.
Serial black entrepreneur, philanthropist, angel investor, best-selling author, and marketing expert, Arian Simone, spearheads this initiative alongside actress and black entrepreneur, Keshia Knight Pulliam. Arian is the Founder and CEO of Arian Simone Enterprises and Keshia is the Founder of spice line Keshia’s Kitchen, podcast Kandidly Keshia and non-profit The Kamp Kizzy Foundation. Additionally, the fund has seen abundant support from its advisors: Opportunity Hub CEO, Rodney Sampson, and The 22 Fund Managing Partner, Tracy Gray. Early investors in the fund include actress and producer, Marsai Martin (Black-ish), Atlanta OBGYN, Dr. Jacqueline Waters (Married to Medicine), Chattanooga VC fund, The JumpFund, and other notable individual and institutional investors.
With a proven track record of molding successful startups and building an expansive network of top entertainers and business leaders, the Fearless Fund team is more than a source of capital infusion for the companies they invest in. In addition to a robust mentor program, the team is leveraging their network to build out an optional Celebrity Equity-Based Endorsement program for their portfolio companies. This program aims to quickly scale companies by connecting them with celebrities for influencer marketing campaigns.
Fearless Fund is proof that women of color are founding and growing businesses that drive strong returns for their investors while multiplying the number of women of color who are investors. 2017 and 2018 reports showed little-to-no growth in the amount of funding allocated toward WOC-led businesses. It’s time that we have positive numbers to report in terms of VC funding for WOC-led businesses. Fearless Fund is the key—the game-changer.
For more information on the Fearless Fund, visit www.fearless.fund.
ABOUT THE FEARLESS FUND:
Fearless Fund invests in women of color-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A financing. Its mission is to bridge the gap in venture capital funding for women of color founders building scalable, growth aggressive companies. Fearless Fund is built by women of color for women of color.