BEA CEO Samantha Tweedy BLACK ECONOMIC ALLIANCE

(BBR) More organizations are ramping up their efforts to close the wealth gap for future generations after the Covid-19 pandemic and murder of George Floyd laid bare these longstanding inequities. Since it was founded in 2018, the Black Economic Alliance (BEA), a nonpartisan group of Black business leaders and advocates, has worked to expand the political and economic power of the Black community. Over the last three years, the group has mobilized business leaders to advocate for preserving voting rights and established programs to accelerate Black business ownership. BEA also helped identify candidates of color for economic positions in government.

In January 2023, BEA elevated Samantha Tweedy from her role as president of the BEA Foundation to her current role as chief executive officer of BEA. I interviewed Samantha last year when she was serving as president of the BEA Foundation and she told me that, “From entrepreneurship and business ownership to every area of our economy, it’s time for systemic change across the public, private, and social sectors to create a new economic infrastructure that is truly inclusive and prioritizes Black wealth-building.”

I recently had the opportunity to follow up with Samantha about her vision for BEA and upcoming summit bringing together leaders across the public, private, and social sectors. Below is our conversation.

Rhett Buttle: At the beginning of the year, you were appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the BEA. What are your priorities for the organization as CEO?

Samantha Tweedy: My priority is to ensure that expanding work, wages, and wealth for Black Americans is a focal point of decision-making from Washington to Wall Street. BEA is working to curate and build consensus around, and drive action on, the solutions most likely to expand Black economic prosperity and close the racial wealth gap, which, as research shows, would grow the entire American economy to the tune of $1.5 trillion.

This work of expanding Black economic power is exactly what the Black Economic Alliance – a coalition of leading Black business executives and aligned allies – was built to do, and why I am so thrilled to be the organization’s inaugural CEO.

Rhett Buttle: What new initiatives and goals has BEA been working on for 2023?

Samantha Tweedy: Following years of political investment in competitive races across the country through our PAC and building strong partnerships in corporate America through our Foundation, BEA is uniquely positioned to unite a wide cross-section of stakeholders to advance solutions that improve Black economic outcomes in the U.S. Today, nearly 30 BEA PAC-endorsed policymakers committed to our work, wages, and wealth agenda are serving in elected offices across the country. And from BEA’s extensive network, we have dozens of C-suite leaders in the philanthropic and corporate sectors committed to partnering with us.

With partners like McKinsey’s Institute for Black Economic Mobility and Urban Institute, we are curating the data-driven, evidence-based policy and practice solutions most likely to move the needle on expanding work, wages, and wealth for the Black community. Those interventions cut across sectors and issue areas, just as these challenges do. We will soon release an Architecture for Action that will help leaders look at potential solutions through a different set of lenses, designed to specifically measure their long term gains for Black work, wages, and wealth. That’s how we can re-imagine our economic infrastructure, from the real estate market to the education system, identifying and striking down structural inequalities that stand in the way of Black economic prosperity. And we’ll leverage the extraordinary convening power of our networks, as exemplified in our upcoming inaugural BEA Solutions Summit, which will bring leaders together to build consensus around those solutions.

Rhett Buttle: What does BEA’s work mean for entrepreneurs?

Samantha Tweedy: Business ownership is one of our nation’s surest pathways to wealth generation. The notion that anyone can take an idea, work hard, and transform it into a successful business lies at the heart of the American Dream. Today, 17% of Black women, the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs, are in the process of starting a business in spite of structural barriers that make it that much harder for Black Americans to reap the benefits of business ownership and entrepreneurship at scale. These obstacles are costly to all of us. We need to build systems and markets that facilitate Black entrepreneurship, which will benefit the Black community and the economy as a whole. BEA is addressing this issue with programming while researching and sharing solutions that can operate at scale. We launched the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE) – a partnership with Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, powered by an anchor investment from Bank of America – to train a new class of Black entrepreneurs. And through our BEA Entrepreneurs Fund, anchored by Wells Fargo, we will offer $50 million in capital to businesses founded and led by Black entrepreneurs, which will lead to hiring more Black workers and additional investment in Black businesses and communities. Our goal is to help build a thriving ecosystem that provides Black entrepreneurs with the resources and support they need to succeed.

Our entrepreneurship initiatives serve as scaleable ideas for policymakers and the private sector alike – in fact, just last month we hosted Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Treasury Wally Adeyemo and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman for a roundtable discussion centered on improving access to capital in historically underserved communities and the importance of supporting Black businesses and workforce development programs.

Rhett Buttle: BEA is hosting its first-ever Solutions Summit on March 21st. What can you tell us about this summit?

Samantha Tweedy: The inaugural BEA Solutions Summit is bringing together leaders across the public, private, and social sectors – such as Ambassador Susan Rice, Ariel Investments Founder and CEO John Rogers, Blavity CEO Morgan DeBuan, journalist Jonathan Capehart, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick – to highlight and build consensus on the leading solutions to advance Black economic prosperity and wealth-building. We’ll hear from experts, policymakers, corporate leaders, and on-the-ground practitioners about what’s working around the country, the major obstacles they are facing, and the role we each need to play to make meaningful change.

Our message to CEOs, policymakers, and philanthropists alike will be that we have to let go of the idea that we can usher Black Americans down the same path to economic prosperity taken by their white counterparts – and instead work to reshape the systems and markets of our economy so they advance, rather than hold back, Black economic prosperity. We look forward to working together with these leaders following the Summit to drive action and investment in the solutions with the greatest impact.

Rhett Buttle: BEA has been an anchor partner in the Business & Democracy Initiative. Tell us about this effort and why it’s important to BEA?

Samantha Tweedy: The Business & Democracy Initiative (BDI) is necessary to BEA’s mission for the simple reason that advancing Black prosperity requires having a strong economy, and a strong economy isn’t possible without a strong democracy. As businesses continue to expand their influence on the American public, we see that they have an increasing responsibility to proactively preserve and protect our democracy – for example, by leveraging their unique influence to help preserve voting rights, as in the 2021 Stand for Democracy call to action that BEA helped to facilitate with over 500 companies and CEOs uniting to oppose state bills containing discriminatory voting measures. That effort was the largest-ever showing of corporate support for the protection of voting rights. Through BDI, we are engaging business leaders on their important role in ensuring the next generation of American prosperity that is so critical to our work, wages, and wealth agenda.

Rhett Buttle: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Samantha Tweedy: Since the Emancipation Proclamation more than 160 years ago, the portion of America’s national wealth held by Black households has increased by less than two percentage points. In fact, the gap between Black and white homeownership rates remains wider today than it was under Jim Crow, and the typical white family has over eight times the wealth of the typical Black family. McKinsey estimates the cost of this racial wealth divide at up to $1.5 trillion per decade, and Citigroup puts the price tag of historical discrimination against Black Americans at a staggering $16 trillion overall.

For all of us committed to realizing the economic promise of America –– a fair shot at prosperity for everyone –– these facts underscore the urgency of our mission. The work ahead must begin with a fundamental re-envisioning of our economy, its infrastructure, and our collective role as leaders within it that centers the expansion of Black economic prosperity and wealth. Only then will we be able to make the progress that is so long overdue.

Rhett Buttle is the founder of Public Private Strategies and senior adviser to Small Business for America’s Future.

Dr. Eric Kelly III is an influential African-American businessman

(BBR)  Black Business Olympics

 Global Network - broadcasted to Over 200 Countries       

18 Different Social Media Platforms     

7 Days

 The Black Business Olympics is one of the largest business showcases in the history of Black Business in the world. Our focus is on targeted learning, networking, building valuable new business relationships, and resourcing top corporations helping Business Owners and entrepreneurs take strategic action to improve their businesses immediately.

Our mission is to give scholarships and laptops to students graduating from high school and heading to college or entrepreneurship.

TWe showcase Black Business on a global platform, to help leverage your brand virtually during the Black Business Expo USA / Olympics broadcasts.

Each day of the broadcast is themed as follows:

• Monday - Business Empowerment, Education, and Inspiration;
• Tuesday - Branding & Advertising, PR, Merchandising, Marketing;
• Wednesday -  64 Ways For Social Media/Technology/Metaverse
• Thursday - Women Empowerment, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality;
• Friday - Gen X vs Gen Z, Bridging the Generational Divide;
• Saturday - Black Business & The Culture;
• Sunday - The Future State of Black Business

--

"What You Are Looking For Is Looking For You.

                                                                     Dr. Eric Kelly III

The Godfather of Black Business Expos

Dr. Eric Kelly III is an influential African-American businessman, artist, humanitarian,

author, and innovator who is considered the Godfather of Black Business Expos. Some

of his accomplishments included serving as the director of the Eric Kelly lll, museum,

which is one of the few museums named after a black artist in the world. The museum

was created by his great-grandfather, Henry Stancil in 1962 and is still functioning as a

place for collectors only to buy his artwork today. He is a retired CEO of Kelly

Worldwide branding and marketing agency. Dr. Kelly received an honorary Doctorate of

Humanitarianism from The Global International Alliance. Dr. Kelly's notable awards include

MED week’s Minority Business Advocate of the year, The Durham Links Artist of the

Year Award, UDI-CDC Entrepreneur Award, the Presidential Lifetime Achievement

award from Joe Biden, the inaugural Juneteenth Hall of Fame Award from

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. However, all of these awards pale in

comparison to his life’s goal of impacting the business world through economic justice.

At the core of his approach to connecting black business lies the idea that to succeed

black businesses need to put their vision first and the well-being of their people, rather than

just the bottom line. By implementing Kelly’s people-service-centered theory, black

business owners and managers can build a sustainable and nourishing work

environment that benefits their company’s long-term growth. Using his extensive

experience as an advertising innovator and serving over forty years impacting more

than ten thousand-business owners are a testament to his genius.

Dr. Kelly led the largest black business expo in North Carolina for thirty-five years, when

Covid 19 happened he founded the Black Business Olympics. The goal of the black

business Olympics is to raise scholarships and funds for students who are graduating

from high school and going to college. In addition, after three years of presenting the broadcast, it has become one of the largest black business virtual global events in the world.

The Black Business Olympics has showcased over twenty-two hundred businesses globally

in the last three years. His creation of the Black Business Olympics is a tribute to his

continual service to black businesses while connecting black people around the world.

The Black Business Network is a 24-hour business network highlighting black

businesses, business owners, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders worldwide.

The Black Business network highlights speakers from London, Australia, Singapore,

Africa, Japan, South America, and cities all over the United States.

The Black Business Network is a global community sharing its business knowledge to empower, inspire, and educate businesses about business. The Black Business Olympics has had over

10 million viewers in over 200 countries view their broadcast. The Black Business

Olympics is broadcast on HULU, Amazon Prime, RUKU, Amazon Music, YouTube,

LinkedIn, Spotify, Facebook, and serval independent streaming services globally. The

Black Business Olympics has speaker spots available; you may contact them at

www.blackbusinessexpousa.com or call 919-308-9090.

"What You Are Looking for Is Looking for You” Dr. Eric Kelly III.

Reese has been dubbed the "Bayou Barbie

(BBER) Angel Reese, a college athlete and women's basketball player at Louisiana State University (LSU), has become one of the biggest names in college sports after the 2023 women's NCAA tournament. Reese's NIL (name, image, and likeness) value has skyrocketed to $1.3 million, making her the third-highest-paid woman in college sports. Reese has over 17 NIL deals with companies such as Amazon Merch, McDonald's, and Bose. Additionally, Reese has a social media following of 3.6 million people across Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Reese's on-court skills are also impressive; she averaged a double-double with 23 points and 15.4 rebounds per game, and she was named the 2023 Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Despite her success, Reese is only a sophomore and has not declared for the WNBA draft. She has stated in a recent podcast that she is in no rush to go to the WNBA due to the amount of money she is making in college.

Reese has been dubbed the "Bayou Barbie" because of her on-court style and pre-game routine. Her agent has noted that Reese likes to get her nails and lashes done before games. This exposure has sparked both love and hate from fans on social media. During the women's NCAA championship game, Reese taunted Caitlyn Clark, pointing to her hand where she planned to put her championship ring and waving her hand in front of her face. Reese's actions drew criticism, but her success is also drawing more attention to women's college sports. SponsorUnited notes that deals for women's college basketball athletes grew 186%, the second-largest area of growth for new deals behind football.

Reese's success also highlights the opportunities for female athletes to earn money through NIL deals. The average female basketball player partners with three brands, compared to two for men. Reese's popularity and success are not only benefiting her but also raising the profile of college women's sports as a whole.

Reese Brands Herself as the "Bayou Barbie"

Reese, a rising star in women's basketball, is not only making waves on the court but also off the court. Known for her on-court play style and pre-game routine, Reese has branded herself as the "Bayou Barbie."

Reese's agent revealed that the nickname "Bayou Barbie" came from her love for getting her nails and lashes done before games. Reese has always been vocal about her love for fashion and beauty, and she doesn't shy away from expressing herself through her appearance.

But it's not just her pre-game routine that has caught people's attention. Reese's play on the court has also been impressive. As a forward for Louisiana State University (LSU), Reese has already made a significant impact on the team. In her freshman year, she averaged 12.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, earning her SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

Reese's sophomore season was even more impressive, as she led LSU in points per game, rebounds per game, and steals per game. She was also named to the All-SEC First Team and earned honorable mention All-American honors.

Reese's style of play is characterized by her aggressiveness, athleticism, and versatility. She can score from the perimeter, attack the basket, and defend multiple positions. Her energy on the court is infectious, and her passion for the game is undeniable.

Off the court, Reese is just as impressive. She's an advocate for mental health awareness and has been open about her struggles with anxiety. She's also involved in community service and has worked with organizations like the Boys and Girls Club of America.

Reese's success both on and off the court has made her a role model for young girls and aspiring basketball players. She's shown that you can be passionate about basketball and still express yourself through fashion and beauty. She's also shown that it's okay to be open about mental health and seek help when you need it.

As Reese continues to make waves in the world of women's basketball, her brand as the "Bayou Barbie" is only going to become more prominent. But it's her talent, hard work, and dedication to the game that will continue to make her a powerhouse in the sport.

Power of Your Voice: Showcasing Black-Owned Businesses on a Global Stage!

(BBR)  Introducing the Power of Your Voice: Showcasing Black-Owned Businesses on a Global Stage!
Are you a proud black entrepreneur looking to make a significant impact and amplify your business on a global platform? Get ready to harness the power of your voice and unlock extraordinary opportunities like never before!
Imagine speaking for 40 minutes on a global stage, captivating the hearts and minds of millions across 200 countries. This is your chance to shine brightly, sharing your story, expertise, and passion with over 10 million eager individuals hungry for inspiration, innovation, and collaboration.
Here are five incredible benefits for entrepreneurs and small businesses who seize this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity:
1. Worldwide Exposure: Speaking on a global platform propels your business into the international spotlight. Your voice and brand will resonate with diverse audiences, opening doors to potential customers, partners, and investors from all corners of the globe. Reach beyond your local market and expand your reach to unimaginable heights!

The Changing Face of Black America The Black American community has become more diversify

(BBR) The demographics of Black America have been undergoing significant changes in recent years, with increasing diversity in terms of national origin and ethnicity. As a result, it has become increasingly important to accurately capture the experiences and needs of Black Americans. This article aims to explore the growing diversity of Black America and provide insights into what this shift means for the future.

The Changing Face of Black America The Black American community has become more diverse, with an increasing number of Black immigrants in the United States. According to the Pew Research Center, Black immigrants now account for over 10% of the Black population in the country. Additionally, the number of Afro-Latinos and multiracial individuals identifying as Black has also risen, reflecting the dynamic and complex nature of Black identity.

Economic and Social Implications The growing diversity of Black America has significant economic and social implications. For instance, Black immigrants tend to have higher levels of education than Black Americans, and this trend is expected to continue. This can potentially help boost the economic prospects of Black Americans, as highly educated individuals tend to have higher incomes and greater job security.

Furthermore, the diversity within Black America challenges long-standing stereotypes and myths about the community. This shift helps to dispel the notion of a monolithic Black culture and instead recognizes the multifaceted experiences of Black people.

Political Implications The rising diversity of Black America also has political implications. The emergence of Afro-Latinos and multiracial individuals identifying as Black has expanded the political power of the Black community. This shift may result in more diverse representation in government and lead to the creation of policies that reflect the interests of a broader range of Black Americans.

Conclusion and Future Directions In conclusion, the rising diversity of Black America represents an exciting and complex shift in the country's demographics. This shift has important implications for economic, social, and political contexts. It is essential to continue exploring the changing nature of Black identity and to recognize the diversity within the community. By doing so, we can better understand and address the unique experiences and needs of Black Americans in the years to come.

Overall, the increasing diversity of Black America presents an opportunity for greater understanding and appreciation of the complex identities within the community. It is important to embrace this shift and work towards creating a society that recognizes and values diversity in all its forms.

Former President Donald Trump

(BBR)  In a stunning development, former President Donald Trump will reportedly be indicted today on charges related to his involvement in the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. According to sources close to the investigation, the indictment will be announced later today and could include charges of incitement of insurrection, sedition, and conspiracy.

The news comes as no surprise to many who have closely followed the investigation into the events of January 6th. Trump has been under intense scrutiny since the attack on the Capitol, with many lawmakers and legal experts calling for his prosecution. It is alleged that Trump incited his supporters to storm the Capitol in an attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

The indictment marks a significant milestone in the investigation, which has been ongoing for months. It is expected to be a high-profile case, drawing attention from media outlets across the country and around the world. Many are already speculating about the potential consequences for Trump, including possible prison time and the loss of his political rights.

The announcement of the indictment is sure to generate strong reactions from both supporters and opponents of the former president. Some are likely to see the indictment as a long-overdue reckoning for Trump's alleged role in the insurrection, while others will likely view it as a politically motivated attack on a former president.

In the weeks and months to come, the case against Trump is likely to dominate headlines and generate intense debate among legal experts and political commentators. As the case moves through the legal system, it is sure to be closely watched by millions of people around the world.

Despite the magnitude of the news, it is important to remember that Trump is innocent until proven guilty. The indictment marks the beginning of a legal process that will play out over the coming months, and it will be up to a jury to decide whether or not Trump is guilty of the charges against him.

For now, all eyes will be on the announcement of the indictment and the fallout that follows. This is a historic moment for the United States, and the world will be watching closely to see how it unfolds.

WHY 

Former President Donald Trump is facing yet another legal battle as he is set to be indicted in New York today. The charges relate to his financial dealings and alleged tax fraud, and could carry serious consequences if he is found guilty.

The indictment comes as the result of a long-running investigation by the Manhattan district attorney's office, which has been looking into Trump's business dealings for several years. The charges are expected to include tax fraud, bank fraud, and falsification of business records.

The case centers around allegations that Trump and his organization inflated the value of his properties to obtain favorable loans and insurance coverage, while also deflating their value to lower tax bills. Prosecutors have reportedly been examining millions of pages of documents and financial records in order to build their case.

The indictment marks a significant escalation in the legal battle facing Trump, who has already faced two impeachments and numerous lawsuits during his time in office. If he is found guilty, he could face fines, restitution, and even jail time.

Trump and his legal team have consistently denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation politically motivated and an attempt to undermine his presidency. They have also argued that the charges are based on selective prosecution and a biased investigation.

Despite these claims, the case against Trump has continued to move forward, with prosecutors indicating that they have a strong case against him. The indictment is expected to be closely watched by legal experts and political commentators, with many speculating about the potential impact on Trump's political future.

For now, Trump and his legal team are bracing for a long and difficult legal battle. The indictment marks a major turning point in the investigation, and it remains to be seen how the case will ultimately be resolved. One thing is certain, however: the legal troubles facing Donald Trump are far from over, and he is likely to continue to be a controversial figure for years to come.