American Express is giving small business owners the tips and resources needed for their business to thrive. This is part of the ways American Express is celebrating the one decade anniversary of Small Business Saturday. American Express has opened an interactive retail space in New York, called the Te Big Future of Shopping Small.

The Big Future of Shopping Small showcases cutting edge technology. It has an augmented reality which brings to life a virtual boutique where more than one small business can share shelf space, and a new product label where business owners can include extra text, videos, or online shop that tells a unique story of their brand. It also has artificial intelligence, which enables the system to forecast consumer’s choice and payment method, which will make shopping easy. Hence, it means customers don’t need to stay in long queues to make their payment after shopping.

The new shopping innovation was opened to the public over-weekend on the same day American Express celebrated ten years of contributing to the growth of local businesses. Other highlights of the celebration include the unveiling of American Express partnership with Main Street America to disburse $10,000 grants to support the growth of 10 small businesses. Application for the grant starts Nov. 30th.

According to recent research, the reason why about 77% of Americans prefer to patronize small business on Small Business Saturday this year is as follows:

• 34% says small business delivers better product and services
• 39% says they want to support the growth of small businesses
• 44% says that small business suits the character of their community
• 65% says they don’t want the money to leave their communityOver $100 billion has been spent on small business in the last nine years on Small Business Saturday, and it is estimated that over 65% of that amount will remain in the local communities.

Envolve Entrepreneurship announces winners of the third edition of its annual entrepreneurship competition during its 2019 Global Entrepreneurship Week. The Envolve Award USA was created to recognize and encourage start-up and early-stage businesses. The Winners of the Awards will get mentorship, business funding, and other support services.

Envolve is a global organization that aims to build the next generation of business leaders by providing resources, mentorship, and regional awards. It is working earnestly to create a global society comprising of entrepreneurs in different communities, especially the underprivileged ones, that are naturally overlooked by drivers of investment, poor entrepreneurship background, and poor economic development. The organization continues to maintain its commitment to the building of an entrepreneurship environment by providing entrepreneurs access to capital and business support. Many individuals and organizations have stepped forward to support Envolve achieve their goals.

The competition, which was formerly called American Entrepreneurship Award, focused on entrepreneurs in the Bronx and Miami-Dade. Recently other regions have been added to participate in the awards; they include Atlanta, Charleston, New York City, Flint, Baltimore Miami-Dade County, and Washington DC.

In the past three years, the organization has connected with over 3000 entrepreneurs and announced sixteen winners in ten different business industries. Former winners of the award include US-based companies, Ginjan Bros, Re-Nuble, Greek companies, and major market place and many more. Evolve announced 14 new American Companies as part of the global Evolve Award Hall of fame.

Every edition of the award requires the judges to select winners from the numerous applicants based on business plans that show sustainability, innovation, and financial management, without overlooking profit made and job opportunities the business provides to its host community. The application is open to any individual or group without previous business experience or businesses at the start-up stage.

Charleston’s Elite Event Planning is a black-owned event and catering company that is among the awardees for the third edition. Terrance Freeman owns the company.

The leading technology, media and commerce firm, Essence whose primary focus is to serve black women, will hold its first Essence + New Voices Entrepreneur Summit and Essence x Target Holiday Market from December 13th through December 15th, in Atlanta.

The event will hold from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on each day and will serve as an economic and cultural center to assist black entrepreneurs and provide opportunities for black-owned businesses.

The summit will assemble venture capitalists, leading executives and business magnates, for panel discussions, fireside chats and masterclasses and also feature the much-awaited New Voices $100,000 Pitch Competition for the first time in Atlanta.

The fully loaded weekend will also present the Essence x Target Holiday Market. A fun-fair experience where participants can check out more than fifty black-owned businesses, including female entrepreneurs who will promote their brands and also share their experiences in the entrepreneurial journey.

On each day, the event will present black celebrities such as Rapsody, Jermaine Dupri, Queen Latifah and T.I., VIP experiences, star-studded panels, meet-and-greets and lots more.

A black-owned consulting firm that is focused on providing easy to access services for small businesses in the U.S., Madison Brothers Consulting is celebrating it’s one decade (10-years) of supporting the growth of small businesses.

Madison Brothers Consulting is based in Houston, and they offer services ranging from human resources, accounting, and finance, information technology, sales, and tax support temporarily or month-month. Their services are specifically designed to help business owners to relax in their entrepreneurial journey. The company has its personalized inexpensive virtual CFO services that can enable businesses to outsource their accounting needs, financial reporting, financial management service, and tax compliance on a day-to-day, annual period as the case may be. The services could have otherwise cost a business up to $200,000 if they were to hire permanently.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 20% of small businesses fail in their first year, while only around 35% last beyond a decade. Despite the reports above, the Managing Principal of Madison Brothers Consulting, Nicole Michelle, has coached over 250 female entrepreneurs to earning six-figure, and she is on the path of inspiring 25 clients to become seven-figure earners within the next five years.

Michelle is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a member of the Texas State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants with over 25 years of experience in the field. She is also an author, a certified public speaker, and a teacher with the John Maxwell Team, an institute that assists clients in creating and achieving their financial goals. Her excellent performance in the consulting industry ranges from startups to businesses with over $500 million in revenue.

Ragneron -The Guardian Of the Crystal Available Now!

Same gender loving Actor/Rapper Milan Christopher releases Ragneron -The Guardian Of the Crystal this week on the all-new MctvStreamingNetwork.com. Based on his comic book of the same name, Milan plays Chris Smith, a mere mortal fitness instructor who becomes a super-powered being thanks to an alien entity. Alongside Milan Christopher, starring in Ragneron is Instagram star Trevor Bell, E!’s “The Platinum Life” star Lola Monroe, VH1’s Jozea Flores, actor Giovanni Watson, Hayden Monteleon & many more. Milan Christopher is best known for his music & being the first same gender loving man to appear in a relationship on season two of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop Hollywood.”

Streaming Now on MCTV Streaming Network

For more information on Milan Christopher follow him on social media using the handle @MilanChristopher.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS REGARDING THE COMCAST/BYRON ALLEN U.S. SUPREME COURT CASE.

Official Statement From Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Regarding The Comcast / Byron Allen U.S. Supreme Court Case

My name and my network, REVOLT, have been mentioned recently by Comcast in reference to the Comcast/Byron Allen US Supreme Court case as an example of Comcast’s inclusive practices with respect to African American owned cable networks. While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion. I do not want my name to be used inaccurately so I must speak my truth. I also want to make clear that this case is now about much more than cable distribution. It’s about the civil rights of millions of African Americans and other minorities.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SEAN ‘DIDDY’ COMBS REGARDING THE COMCAST/BYRON ALLEN U.S. SUPREME COURT CASE.

First, it’s important that people really understand what’s at stake. In its efforts to get the lawsuit filed by Byron Allen dismissed, Comcast has taken a legal approach that could weaken fundamental civil rights protections. I have a problem with this. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 section 1981 was designed to ensure Black people are able to do business in this country and not be denied because of race. Comcast is arguing that this law only applies if racial discrimination is the only factor that leads to a refusal to do business, which would be extremely hard to prove. If they are successful, it will become much harder for any victim of discrimination to seek justice in court. By taking this stance in the Supreme Court, Comcast has put its legal tactics ahead of the rights of millions of Americans to be heard. This is not OK.

Above anything else, my goal has always been to achieve true economic inclusion for Black people. How can Comcast suggest that it champions diversity and inclusion if it attacks the laws that provide the foundation for economic inclusion? What good are any of their efforts if they are fighting to make it harder for victims of discrimination to be heard in court? Comcast has made this about much more than Byron Allen, and now the civil rights of my children and my community are at stake. To be clear, anything that makes it harder to fight against discrimination is wrong. Comcast is choosing to be on the wrong side of history.

On REVOLT, I can only share the truth of my experience. Starting an independent cable network is incredibly difficult and capital intensive. The start we received from Comcast, which was a condition of the United States government approval for Comcast to acquire NBCUniversal, was important, but it is not the level of support needed to build a successful African American owned network. Not even close. Since that launch, our relationship has not grown, and REVOLT is still not carried by Comcast in the most affordable packages nor is REVOLT available in all of the markets that would enable us to serve our target audience. Comcast spends billions of dollars on content networks every year, but just a few million go to African American owned networks like REVOLT. That is unacceptable.

Supporting diversity and economic inclusion requires a real partnership. The only way Black-owned networks grow and thrive is with meaningful and consistent economic support. Otherwise, they are set up to fail. REVOLT has never been in a position to truly compete on a fair playing field because it has not received the economic and distribution support necessary for real economic inclusion. Our relationship with Comcast is the illusion of economic inclusion.

Rather than using this case to diminish the civil rights protections of millions of Americans, Comcast should use this as an opportunity to listen to a community it relies on and, above all, do better.

First Black Woman-owned New York Non-Emergency Transit Service

MedSafe Transport, Inc. kicks off the holiday season at noon on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 with their second annual thanksgiving charity festival. About 150 people will enjoy a delicious meal and a happy party in Copiague, New York. The event is funded by the founder and CEO of MedSafe, Qadirah Rasheed, who loves her culture and considers the family of her clients.

“Nothing is better than having a family. And there’s no better time to make our clientele a part of the MedSafe family than Thanksgiving, not just during this holiday season, but throughout the year, “she said.

MedSafe Transport provides transportation across the state of New York for Medicaid recipients. Many patients of Rasheed are battling mental health problems, abussing drugs, and living in group homes. Many are also faced with poverty, lacking vital resources and support. Society and even their own families are often neglecting this group.

Rasheed is proud to serve those in need as the first Black woman to own a non-emergency medical transportation company in New York. She buys breakfast for her customers every Wednesday along with the annual charity dinner.

“The biggest feeling I have is to give back to those in need. I also enjoy inspiring others by sharing my story and making history as the first African-American woman to own a New York state-owned non-emergency medical transport company, “she said. “Thanksgiving is a time to thank you. I’m happy to host this event to say’ thank you’ to my loyal clientele who added to my industry success.

Guests at the charity feast will also play games, win prizes, and have the opportunity to win two gift baskets through a raffle. Rasheed accepts both monetary donations and food, gift bags and vacation decoration. The donation season of MedSafe Transport will continue with an upcoming Christmas gift.

African American Online Marketer Shows How Successful, Profitable Events can be Hosted

Live events are one of the most promising ways to promote a service or product for business purposes and to really pay attention to potential customers.

“87% of consumers said they purchased the product or service of the brand at a later date after an event.”

Seminars and live events are that at a steady pace in US markets, and not just in corporate space, small businesses can also benefit from face-to-face customer interaction. Meet Born Logic God, 9Logic’s developer. With his Eventbrite Masterclass, Allah has created a system to help business owners and entrepreneurs understand how to digitally organize successful events and make a profit.

This 2 hour, step-by-step online video learning is designed to help business owners with little or no experience, share what they do with more people through one of the most powerful ways to promote a product or service, live events.

“What better way to get a person to buy what you’re doing than encouraging them to test drive and see what you’re selling them,” Logic comments.

He has been researching and experimenting with hosting events over the past 3 years to learn best practices mainly through the popular Eventbrite online platform. “I made a ton of mistakes and a lot of money lost so you don’t have to,” God said. Including non-profits, cultural festivals, independent film screenings and architectural tours, his organization stages 12-15 events per year. Events that ranged from 50 people to more than 1,000 people and grossed from $300 to $4,000 everywhere.

The second edition of the Cincinnati Black Restaurant week has commenced.

The event is scheduled to hold from Nov. 18 to Nov. 24 and will showcase 24 black-owned restaurants in the Cincinnati area, such as Ollie Trolley’s, Island Frydays, Conscious Kitchen and Sweet Petit.

Each restaurant will offer a discount on specific menus as well as specials. The event is organized by the Urban Young Professionals of Greater Southwestern Ohio and Cincy Soul.

To participate in the event, you can visit the Urban League’s website for more information.

Even though more than 50 percent of the people living in Over-The-Rhine (OTR) are Black-Americans, still only 8 percent of the thriving business in the area is black-owned.

The OTR Chamber of Commerce will be disbursing $20,000 grant to black-owned businesses that will reside in the area, to reduce the gap by 2020. The aid aims to encourage entrepreneurs who have the zeal to work and contribute to the community.

Part of the requirement for prospective applicants includes; willingness to sign a lease of space in the neighborhood for at least three years, working hours of at least 5o hours per week, and becoming a member of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce. Other requirements can be retrieved online.

The winner(s) of the grant will be announced in January.

One of the largest black banks in the country has grown after an acquisition announced Thursday merged two the branches of the institution in New Jersey and one in Harlem.

The Industrial Bank, which is based in Washington D.C., was founded in 1934 and has acquired the New Jersey’s City National Bank after being closed down on November 1 by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The company now has three new branches after acquiring the black bank.

The Industrial Bank’s president and CEO B. Doyle Mitchell, Jr. in an official statement released on Thursday, said: “This acquisition will allow us to expand our footprint into the northeast region and deepen our commitment to impacting economic development in various communities,”
The company said in a recent press release that the Industrial Bank and the City National Bank are alike in that it was beginning “to fill a great economic void within the African American community whose access to credit and banking services was historically limited.”

According to the press release by the Industrial Bank, it claims that the company invests back into the community more than 60 percent of its assets each year and works to support community programs.

The OCC said in a press release that it took action of closing the New Jersey’s City National Bank because “after finding that the bank had experienced substantial dissipation of assets and earnings due to unsafe or unsound practices.”

The office also states that “The OCC also found that the bank was undercapitalized and failed to submit a capital restoration plan acceptable to the OCC.”

The bankrupt company has stated on its website that all deposit accounts, including contracted deposits, have been transferred to Industrial Bank, which has already welcomed City National Bank customers on its website.

SiriusXM Urban View Host, Karen Hunter sat down for a town hall discussion with OneUnited Bank President and Owner Teri Williams; New York Times journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of the Times’ The 1619 Project; and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and MSNBC Correspondent Trymaine Lee before an audience at SiriusXM studios headquarters in New York.

The panels topics of discussion consisted of race in America, including the wealth gap between African-Americans and Caucasians, The New York Times’ 1619 Project, a powerful initiative that explores the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery and its ongoing impact on our society.

New York Times journalist, Nikole Hannah-Jones discussed how African-Americans are not seen as “fully human”: “I spent a lot of time on my essay talking about the psychology that has to develop that allows a country that says it’s based on the individual rights and God given freedoms of man while also holding one fifth of the population at absolute bondage. You have to develop a certain psychology, and the psychology is black people are not fully human, so we’re not actually hypocritical because these rights are for full humans, and citizens and black people are not. Once that psychology develops, once you use it to justify slavery, when that person is no longer enslaved, you can’t now say you are fully human and a full citizen just like I am because then it gives lie to the whole basis of slavery, which is you’re not human. So you have to keep denying that persons full and that races full humanity to justify it and reinforcing it.”

Teri Williams explains the importance of the 1619 project: “It tells the truth about our history, about our money, about the wealth gap and why we are where we are today. Because we’re led to believe that we don’t have wealth because of something we’ve done. Like, Nikole said, that we just need to work harder or that we spend too much or we spend money on the wrong things and we have bought in to that…and because of that, we don’t trust ourselves, we don’t do business with ourselves, we don’t bank with ourselves, but every other ethnicity doesn’t have that burden. They’re not carrying that negativity with them. They actually see the need to do business with themselves in order to build their community.”

Video clips are below and photos are attached (photo credit: Maro Hagopian for SiriusXM). If used, please credit SiriusXM’s The Karen Hunter Show (weekdays from 3:00-6:00 p.m. ET on SiriusXM Urban View channel 126).

“Black People Are Not Seen As Fully Human”

Why Nikole Hannah-Jones Almost Quit Journalism

Teri Williams on Owning a Black Bank

Black Investor, Kobie Fuller, during his business sojourn made mistakes while finding solutions to problems in areas where he wasn’t a specialist. At that time, he realized that there was no online tool or community that brings Black Professionals together. This realization inspired him to create Valence, a social networking app that serves as an online community for black professionals. The app was launched on Tuesday, 5th November 2019.

According to Fuller, Valence aims to “unlock the global combined power of Black professionals to create massive economic wealth and social progress that impacts current and future generations.”
Venture Capitalist Kobie Fuller co-founded the platform with La Mer Walker and Emily Slade. He is also a partner at Upfront Ventures. The other aim of Valence aside from gathering black professionals is to help companies that are finding it challenging to launch their ideas, become a partner, and have access to a community of excellent black talent.

It took two years for the complete development of the app. The app was created by black professionals and for black professionals. The name given to the app connotes the main objective of the app because Valence in science means the combining power of an element. That is what the app does, combining the power of black professionals. Also, the app will serve as a hub showcasing job opportunities from top firms, as well as provide users with capital and startup tips. Finally, Valence will tell the extraordinary story of Black Professionals.

The network is based in Los Angeles and open to any Black person who passes the vetting process by existing members of the platform.
The network was able to raise $2.5 million capital from Upfront Ventures, Sinai Ventures, High Alpha and angels Paul Judge, and Willie and Peggy Alford.

National Museum Of African American Music Assembles All-Star Band Of Creative Agencies To Launch Grand Opening

An award-winning journalist, Johnson first joined The Grio shortly after it launched in August, 2009, as a video journalist and reporter. Johnson has covered a variety of important news events, including trips to Haiti reporting on the devastating earthquake, as well as several reports on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and the Ferguson protests.

Johnson’s original video news features included highlighting exceptional talents such as ballet dancer Misty Copeland and fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad before they became superstars. He later served as Sports Editor for The Grio, interviewing star athletes such as LeBron James and Gabby Douglas. Johnson has provided reporting and on-air commentary for MSNBC, CNN, and NBC’s TODAY show.

While at The Grio, Johnson was promoted to Managing Editor, helping guide the news site through multiple transitions before it was acquired by Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios in 2016. Prior to his return to The Grio as Chief Content Officer, Johnson served as Editorial Director of NBC BLK, a division of NBC News Digital.

Johnson is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where he received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. He currently resides in South Orange, NJ with his wife Monica and three-year-old son, Todd, Jr.

“As our broadcast television, cable networks, motion picture, and digital divisions continue to expand at a rapid pace, the appointment of Todd Johnson to The Grio reflects our commitment to providing the best news and video content for our platforms,” said Byron Allen, Founder/Chairman/CEO of Entertainment Studios. “Todd is an amazing executive, and under his leadership The Grio will continue its phenomenal growth.”

“I’m grateful for the tremendous opportunity to lead The Grio,” Todd Johnson said. “I’m looking forward to further elevating The Grio’s voice and branding – to deliver quality content and grow its audience globally.”