• News

by jeuned

January 24, 2023

2 Black Women Reveal Their Homes Were Sold After Failing to Pay Property Taxes

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Geraldine Tyler and Tawanda Hall garnered attention from the general public after the two Black women faced the negative repercussions of property ownership.

According to Reason magazine, Hall had her house seized and sold by the government after failing to pay property taxes. At the same time, Tyler encountered the same fate with the condo she owned. To add insult to injury, the government also reportedly kept each property’s profits.

Hall originally owed $900 in property taxes, but due to additional costs such as late penalties, interests, and fees, she was billed $22,642. After Hall couldn’t pay the total amount, her Michigan home was sold for over $300,000, and the state received more than $286,000, the outlet reports.

In Tyler’s case, the 94-year-old accumulated $2,300 in debt from rent and property taxes, and because of similar charges, her overall total came out to be $15,000. The government reportedly sold her Minneapolis condo for $40,000 and allegedly kept the remaining $25,0000.

Although details regarding the timelines of the events are limited, the women’s stories made headlines because, after a years-long legal battle, Tyler is taking her case against home equity theft to the Supreme Court, which accepted the case on Jan. 20.

The women’s attorney Christina M. Martin told the outlet that the reason behind Tyler’s upcoming hearing isn’t to refute the government’s actions of seizing and selling the property to collect the debt, but rather the amount they obtained.

“We agree that the government can seize the property to collect a debt. What it can’t do is take more than it’s owed.” Martin said. As for Hall, her past legal pursuits with the Supreme Court were ultimately dismissed, and she is now seeking to go to trial to receive the six-figure check.

In Tyler’s upcoming case, the elderly woman will have the support of numerous organizations to help back her claims, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, AARP and the AARP Foundation, the Cato Institute, the National Taxpayers Union Foundation, etc.

• Food

by jeuned

January 23, 2023

In Her Bag! Tia Mowry Partners With WeightWatchers to Develop New Recipes

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Tia Mowry‘s motto for this year appears to be “no bags left unturned” after the actress and social media extraordinaire announced that she was expanding her extensive résumé by becoming the new ambassador for Weight Watchers. 

Weight Watchers is a weight loss program that helps individuals manage a healthy lifestyle by suggesting the types of foods and physical activities one should consume or participate in based on various factors.

On Jan. 19, Mowry revealed to PEOPLE Magazine that she partnered with the program because of her passion for food and health. “When I think about food, I think about how it brings people together. I feel like we share the same passions. Food, health, and community.” the 44-year-old said.

Although Mowry has publicly showcased her cooking abilities in recent years with her show Tia Mowry at Home, the release of her cookbooks and cookware line, the mother of two shared that her love for cooking began in 1999. 

 

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A post shared by TiaMowry (@tiamowry)

During that time, Mowry, unsure about her career steps, was attending college at Pepperdine University as a psychology major after finishing production on the hit sitcom Sister, Sister with her twin, Tamera. 

“I was like, You know what? If I never acted again in my life, I would want to go to culinary school.”This was when I was in my 20s. [Cooking] was always a passion of mine,” Mowry admitted.

Since then, Mowry’s cooking dreams have come full circle in various ways. With Mowry’s partnership with Weight Watchers and becoming an ambassador, she shares that she is creating new recipes with the program to help individuals “maintain” their goals and “enjoy” the process. 

“[They’re] definitely going to be fun, exciting and recognizable recipes. “When you’re able to enjoy things that you absolutely love,” Mowry said. “I feel like it’s definitely a way for you to stay on track and to maintain your goals.”

At the time this article has been written, it is still being determined when Mowry’s recipes with Weight Watchers will launch.

Sometimes imitation isn’t flattering, at least from Black Eyed Peas‘ record label BMG Rights Management’s standpoint.

Last week, the company made headlines after news outlets reported that they were suing toy company MGA Entertainment Inc. for unlawfully using the pop group’s 2005 hit song “My Humps” for Poopsie Slime Surprise’s marketing campaign. BMG owns 75% of publishing rights to “My Humps,” and the single has sold millions of records since its debut.

According to Reuters, in the lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, on Jan. 19, BMG claims that MGA ripped off Black Eyed Peas’ track and featured it in a promotional video and their toy line.

The clip, which included the song “My Poops,” showcased unicorn figures dancing and singing about poop. In addition to the advertisement, the toy does similar gestures alongside the titled track after an individual presses its heart-shaped belly button.

BMG’s attorney Seth L. Berman expressed in the legal document, obtained by Variety, that MGA’s “My Poops” is a replica of the Black Eyed Peas song.

https://youtu.be/cLYIn25oJaA

“First, the title of the infringing work is My Poops, which is an obvious play on the name of the copyrighted composition, My Humps,” BMG’s lawyer, Berman, wrote in the lawsuit.

The legal documents also cite that MGA’s unicorn commercial resembled “My Humps” regarding the song’s lyrics, melodies, and notes. BMG stated that the lead singer in the clip sounded eerily similar to Black Eyed Peas’ vocalist Fergie.

When mentioning Fergie in the lawsuit, Berman says that MGA’s lead singer “uses a similar delivery and vocal inflections as used by Fergie on the original sound recording.”

What makes matters even worse is that the company disclosed that MGA made tens of millions of dollars from the toy line sales because of the advertisement since its release in 2018. BMG is seeking $10 million in damages.

This lawsuit comes years after MGA ignored a cease and desist letter from BMG when they were made aware of the company’s toy line and campaign.

Raven Symoné isn’t “tripping” over how her fans say her name.

The actress and singer, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, recently responded to the commotion she caused last week regarding the actual pronunciation of her last name. For context, in the viral TikTok video shared on January 20, Symoné is seen using a voice-over track and captions, which included the proper spelling and way to enunciate her name as she sat in what appears to be her car.

In the caption, the 37-year-old wrote, “Yo, it’s Raven Symoné. It’s pronounced See-mon-ye.” As the video began circulating online, many fans brought up how they distinctly remembered Symoné herself, also mispronouncing her last name on past Disney Channels’ commercials when promoting various projects on the network.

@ravensymone

Those who know…KNOW… fit was cray that day.

♬ original sound – Taylor Dean

“Well you were the one saying “my name’s Raven (Suh-Moan) and you’re watching Disney channel.”

“The whole time ‘I’m raven simone and you’re watching Disney Channel’ you could have said it right cause how they gon make you say your own name wrong.”

“Then why didn’t you pronounce it that way on Disney channel?”

“But you didn’t say it like that on Disney.”

@ravensymone

Listen here…#symoné

♬ original sound – ravensymone

A few days later, on January 22, Symoné addressed those fans’ pronunciation claims and some negative responses she received in another video. The That’s So Raven star explained why she never said her name the proper way on The Disney Channel. 

“People out here real mad that I never said, ‘hey, my name is Raven (See-mon-ye), and you’re watching Disney Channel.’ I didn’t do that cause at a very young age, I was told to say my name is Raven (Si-mone), and it just never left my body.” Symoné revealed. 

Later in the recording, Symoné expressed that, despite sharing the exact way to pronounce her last name, she will not correct anyone if they say it wrong. 

“Except for when I go to French-speaking countries, I’m like yeah, it is spelled that way, and that’s how it should be pronounced. But coming here, Raven (Si-mone) is just fine. So yes, I don’t trip over it. I don’t correct people. But yes, the correct spelling of my name is pronounced Raven (See-mon-ye), but you can call me Raven (Si-mone). I’m not tripping over it,” Symoné said. 

The Muse Mirror started out as an idea for an anniversary gift for Toye Onikoyi‘s longtime girlfriend that would later become a life-changing product for the business owner.

The virtual mirror allows consumers to try on various items, including lipsticks and clothes, before purchasing them online. On January 16, during an interview with WBZ, Onikoyi shared that he turned this design into a lucrative business because of the many positive reviews and requests he received online after his girlfriend shared the item on her social media account.

 

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A post shared by Toye Onikoyi (@toyeonikoyi)

Following the viral moment, the University of Rhode Island graduate, with the help of some of his friends, including Etebom Samuel, Kelechi Agwunobi, and Larry Adigun, was able to release The Muse Mirror in March 2022.

 

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A post shared by The Muse Mirror (@themusemirror)

Onikoyi, who describes the virtual mirror as a giant tablet, also revealed that The Muse Mirror can use third-party apps, such as YouTube and Netflix, for streaming purposes.

Despite that, Onikoyi told the news outlet the significance behind The Muse Mirror stems from fulfilling the consumers’ needs and desires regarding online shopping. “Right now, there’s not a good way to try on products at home before you purchase it. Clothing that may not fit you, makeup where you don’t really understand that this foundation isn’t right for you,” he said.

Toward the end of the interview, Onikoyi opens up about his future plans for The Muse Mirror. “I see The Muse Mirror as the mirror that everyone has in their home. I see it as a bridge between retail and e-commerce,” he said.

Although Onikoyi has not released many details regarding how much profit he made from The Muse Mirror, which costs $999.99, it has been revealed that the company will start offering live sessions with makeup artists and releasing a mobile app.

For more information on The Muse Mirror click here. 

Chastin J. Miles‘ story is a prime example of how passion and using free resources can change the course of one’s life.

Miles, who is described on his site as a “real estate expert, author, and public speaker,” started his career in 2014 as a struggling solo real estate agent. As time progressed and Miles found his footing, he decided to share his experience and the lessons he learned in real estate, entrepreneurship, and finances on YouTube. 

This venture would ultimately catapult Miles’ career into overdrive. Since starting his channel in 2015, Miles has gained over 77,000 followers and obtained millions of views on the platform overall. Miles has developed or is leading several million-dollar companies, some of which are within the real estate industry.

The Dallas native also provides help for individuals worldwide trying to break into real estate and or becoming an entrepreneur by holding coaching sessions and sharing his tips in the 2018 book The Real Before The Estate: What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Real Estate.

In an interview that Global Newswire featured, Miles shared what initially prompted him to use social media, primarily YouTube, as a marketing tool. He said, “If social media is that marketing channel that millions and billions of people are on, why wouldn’t I be marketing my business through social media?”

Miles also revealed that the main reason he was interested in helping others reach their financial goals was because of the wealth gap. He explained that individuals could solve this problem by having the right mentorship and using the provided information.

Miles stated, “If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed and like you’re spinning your wheels going nowhere, and you’re ready to claim the freedom you want for your family, it’s safe to stop trying to ‘figure it out,’ all of the information is already here, it’s just up to you to follow a leader, like myself, so you can get the same if not better results.”

For more on Miles’ companies and coaching program click here.

• News

by jeuned

January 20, 2023

Desperate Measures: Man Miraculously Survives Almost a Month at Sea by Eating Ketchup

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Imagine going adrift for 24 days with only a ketchup bottle, a few spices, and rainwater to eat.

That was 47-year-old Elvis Francois‘ exact situation when he got lost at sea after repairing his boat outside the Caribbean island of St. Martin in Netherlands Antilles.

According to Colombian officials, the event occurred in December while Francois was inside working on the boat, and the currents pushed it into the middle of the sea. Francois said that he could not return to land because he lacked navigational skills.

During those 24 days, he lived off of a concoction he made with ketchup, garlic powder, and Maggi seasoning cubes. Francois also revealed that he stayed hydrated using a cloth to collect rainwater.

Francois was rescued this week by the Colombian Navy, 120 miles northwest of Cartagena. As they were passing by, Francois used a mirror as a signal to get their attention and had the word help written on the ship’s hull.

While talking about his experience, Francois disclosed that during the first moments of being adrift, he tried to contact his friends and vice versa, but he had lost cell service.

“I called my friends, they tried to contact me, but I lost the signal. There was nothing else to do but sit and wait,” he said in an official video released by the Colombian Navy.

Later, Francois mentioned that he had “lost hope” because his previous attempts to get rescued, including starting a fire, had failed. However, after the Colombian Navy saved him, Francois expressed he couldn’t be more thankful.

“At some point, I lost hope and thought about my family. But I thank the coast guard. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be telling the story,” Francois said.

On January 18, Commander Carlos Urbano Montes told the public that Francois was given a medical exam and had a good bill of health despite losing some weight.The navy also reported that Francois will go back home to Dominica after turning him over to immigration officials.

Black TikTok creator Leon Ondieki made headlines last year after revealing that the social media platform TikTok helped pay for his entire tuition at the University of Georgia—and buy a car.  

Ondieki achieved these goals through TikTok’s Creator Fund, a program that pays content creators based on the number of “authentic views” they receive on their videos, according to 11 Alive.

Since joining the platform, Ondieki’s vox pop interviews on various college campuses have gained the student 2.1 million followers and over 126 million likes on his account. 

Despite the success Ondieki has obtained on the platform, he and many others who use TikTok to make money may face the possible effects of its recent ban on college campuses.

According to USA Today, numerous colleges are stopping students from using TikTok on campus by blocking it on school devices and WiFi networks. The publication reported that although students cannot use TikTok on specific college campuses, they can operate the app on their device using their internet service.  

For context, the reason why TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, is being banned or restricted overall is that officials are worried that sensitive data from the platform is being shared with the Chinese government.

@leon.ond

Who did you recognize #trivia #college #interview #prize

♬ original sound – Leon Ondieki

During an interview with USA Today on January 19, Ondieki shared that he is adjusting to the ban by posting his content on YouTube Shorts and Snapchat Spotlight. Ondieki explained that although he could pivot, he understands how this can be frustrating for others who have made money “for their schools” by using TikTok.

“For any content creator who’s in school, I can see how this would be frustrating, especially considering that some content creators have made a lot of money for their schools,” he said.

In addition to using other platforms, Ondieki revealed he’s taking a break from his studies to go on tour with Starlink, a satellite internet service. On tour, Ondieki will use a sprinter van and a hotspot device, so he doesn’t have to depend on the college campus’s WiFi.  

The schools currently banning TikTok include The University System of Georgia, Oklahoma State University, The University of Oklahoma, Texas A&M University, and The University of Texas. Immediately following the ban, many people have spoken out against it, including TikTok’s spokesperson, Jamal Brown.

While mentioning how disappointed the company is regarding the bans, Brown said in a statement to USA Today, “We’re disappointed that so many states are jumping on the political bandwagon to enact policies that will do nothing to advance cybersecurity in their states and are based on unfounded falsehoods about TikTok.”

“We’re especially sorry to see the unintended consequences of these rushed policies beginning to impact universities’ ability to share information, recruit students, and build communities around athletic teams, student groups, campus publications, and more,” he added.

Jerrod Carmichael is reportedly in hot water again for the jokes he delivered at the 2023 Golden Globes last week.

In addition to receiving backlash from audience members and social media users, new reports claimed that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president, Helen Hoehne, wasn’t too fond of the comedian’s jokes either. 

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, some of Carmichael’s banter addressed the primary reason the Golden Globes Awards didn’t have a live broadcast in 2022: the lack of diversity within the organization caused high-profile names to boycott the event. 

“This show, the Golden Globe Awards, did not air last year because the Hollywood Foreign Press Association — which I won’t say were a racist organization, but they didn’t have a single Black member until George Floyd died. So, do with that information what you will,” the 35-year-old said.

Later, Carmichael claimed he was given this opportunity to host the Golden Globes ceremony because he was Black and disclosed that his paycheck was allegedly $500,000, while other sources told The Hollywood Reporter it was $750,000.

During his monologue, Carmichael brought up Hoehne’s name when he highlighted that he had previously turned down the hosting gig three times before meeting with the HFPA president. The Carmichael Show star wrapped up the joke by stating that the gathering and the salary offer felt like “a trap.”

Following the jabs, several sources shared different accounts of Hoehne’s reaction to Carmichael’s remarks on Jan. 18 with The Hollywood Reporter.

Although it is reported that an emotional Hoehne had to be comforted by friends, a source shared that the entire situation was “awkward.” At the same time, another insider revealed that Carmichael took a joyous occasion and made it heavy with some of his comments.

Despite the claims of Hoehne being visibly upset by the jokes, a source close to HFPA denied those accusations.

Since then, a few members of HFPA have refused to comment on Carmichael’s hosting performance, and Hoehne has yet to respond to the events that transpired that night. 

Beloved star, LeVar Burton, made his debut in the entertainment industry as an actor, but what ultimately captured fans’ hearts was his hosting 1983’s children’s series Reading Rainbow. 

Almost 40 years later, Burton is returning to children’s entertainment by hosting a new podcast, Sound Detectives, which is slated to premiere on Stitcher, a media company. 

Sound Detectives‘ premise follows two inspectors, Detective Hunch and Audie the Ear, investigating why sounds are disappearing from the world. According to The Hollywood Reporter, what makes Sound Detectives different from other podcasts is that each episode occurs in various locations, and children can take part in the adventure by using their listening skills to differentiate the sounds. 

 

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Burton created the podcast along with Julia Smith and Joanna Sokolowski. Earlier this month, the 65-year-old spoke in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics Show and revealed how his love for radio began as a child. Burton, who lived overseas because of his family’s military background, explained that listening to the radio was his only form of entertainment, because he didn’t have access to English-speaking television programs.

While raving about how this helped expand his imagination, Burton said, “That is where I discovered that theater of the mind, listening to a story unfold and connecting to it purely in my imagination based on what I was hearing. It’s a real different experience. I loved the opportunity to be able to tap into that aspect of ourselves, the aural nature of the human being and what it can bring to us in our lives.”

Later, Burton disclosed why he seized the opportunity to create a children’s podcast. He stated, “It’s really about satiating the curiosity of kids, giving them an opportunity to use a different part of their brains and different skill sets than we normally use in a very visually dominated world.”

Burton’s Sound Detectives podcast will be his second project with Stitcher. The star’s first was LeVar Burton Reads.

Sound Detectives is scheduled to premiere this spring.