ReportWire

Tag: Killer Mike

  • Grammy-Winning Changemaker Killer Mike Teams Up With DJ Greg Street & The Atlanta Hawks For Special Halftime Performance During Black History Month Game

    [ad_1]

    Source: Dominik Bindl/WireImage

    Grammy-winning changemaker, Killer Mike, is teaming up with DJ Greg Street and the Atlanta Hawks for a special halftime performance during the franchise’s Black History Month Game on Thursday, February 26, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

    Fueled by Georgia Natural Gas, the night will celebrate the impact, achievements, and enduring legacy of the Black community through a high-energy halftime tribute, in-arena storytelling, and community activations that reflect the Hawks’ and GNG’s ongoing commitment to honoring Black excellence and cultural influence.

    “I’m incredibly proud to join the Hawks for their Black History Month game and celebrate the profound legacy of our Hip-Hop community,” said Killer Mike.

    “Atlanta is the heartbeat of Black excellence, and there’s no better place to honor our history and future than right here at center court with the fans.”

    The Hawks, who will wear their Nike NBA Peachtree City Edition uniforms, are set to play the Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m.

    At halftime, 4-time Grammy-winning Hip-Hop legend and Atlanta native Killer Mike and Atlanta radio icon DJ Greg Street–host of The Greg Street Show on Audacy’s V103 The People’s Station–will honor the historical evolution of Atlanta Hip-Hop.

    Greg Street will curate a special DJ set celebrating the iconic sounds and eras from early innovators like DJ Mojo and M.C. Shy-D to the groundbreaking influence of the Dungeon Family, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris, T.I. and more while Killer Mike guides fans through the powerful legacy of Atlanta’s pioneers and cultural leaders.

    “Black History Month is a time to reflect on the impactful contributions and achievements that have shaped both our nation and our city,” said Melissa Proctor, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.

    “Our Black History Month Game is a chance to celebrate the creativity, leadership, and influence of the Black community today and the next generation. The Hawks are committed to creating spaces that elevate diverse voices, spark opportunity, and honor Atlanta’s rich Black culture.”

    During the game, Atlanta-based muralist and contemporary artist Charity Hamidullah who blends art and contemporary abstraction to explore identity and human connection will do a live painting on the concourse.

    The Hawks will also honor Lonnie Johnson, the inventor of the Super Soaker, whose groundbreaking innovation and contributions to science, creativity, and culture have inspired generations. 

    But that’s not all!

    Best-selling father and son author duo, Michael and Matthew Carson, will be giving out copies of their books African American Women Who Began A Movement and African American Musicians That Changed Music Forever.

    In addition to the special guests, Georgia Natural Gas will showcase the winning video from the Morehouse College Cinema, Television, and Emerging Media Studies (CTEMS) film competition.

    “At Georgia Natural Gas, we’re proud to celebrate the rich cultural history of our community,” said Aimee Henderson, Director of Mass Markets for Georgia Natural Gas.

    “Black culture plays an essential role in the story of Atlanta. That’s why we are so thrilled with this opportunity to elevate so many amazing current artists and support the institutions that are empowering the next generation.”

    All fans in attendance will receive a long sleeve t-shirt designed by local Black creative Charlie Palmer, courtesy of GNG. To cop tickets for the game, click here.

    [ad_2]

    Alex Ford

    Source link

  • One Music Fest 2025: Dungeon Family Reunion Packed a Punch

    [ad_1]

    Killer Mike on stage during the Dungeon Family performance at One Music Fest 2025. Photo by Tabius Mccoy/The Atlanta Voice

    The Dungeon Family took to the P&G stage on Saturday night, the first day of the annual two-day musical smorgasbord, One Music Fest. Atlanta’s premier concert brings artists from across all platforms and genres to the center of the city. But on many occasions, it also features the artists who made Atlanta one of America’s musical foundations. Enter: The Dungeon Family.

    The Dungeon Family consists of artists that have sold millions of records during their careers. From the Goodie Mob, to OutKast, to Killer Mike, poet Big Rube, to the music collective’s founders: the late Rico Wade, Ray Muray, and singer/songwriter Sleepy Brown, the trio that made up Organized Noize.

    Even for a fan of their music, one can be surprised by how much music that has come from the Dungeon Family. The collective has played a major part in how the world saw and continues to see Atlanta’s music. 

    Goodie Mob members Khujo (center, on bike) and CeeLo Green (far right) break down their verses from the song “Watch For the Hook.” Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens got the festivities started by introducing the Dungeon Family to a standing room only crowd that continued to grow as song after song blasted from the speakers on stage and the others positioned around the grounds. 

    “I looked up to these guys when I was in high school,” Dickens said. 

    Big Rube started the show with a poem, the same way he often started Dungeon Family projects. To Dungeon Family fans, his voice is as familiar as any member of the crew, including international superstars like Big Boi, Andre 3000, and CeeLo Green. 

    The musical selections began with Cool Breeze, one of the more unheralded members of the crew, rapping his verse off “Dirty South.” The song was one of the many hits off of Goodie Mob’s debut album, “Soul Food.” 

    Both Witch Doctor and Backbone, neither of which is a household name, also performed verses from their archives, and it was well received. 

    Big Gipp and CeeLo Green made appearances next, and performed their verses from the Goodie Mob sing, “They Don’t Dance No Mo.” CeeLo Green would spend a lot of time on stage on this night, having contributed to nearly all of the biggest and most popular songs. From “Git Up, Git Out” to “Cell Therapy”, CeeLo’s fingerprints are all over the music. 

    Sleepy Brown (above) is one of the founding members of Organized Noize, the foundation of the Dungeon Family.
    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Sleepy Brown sang both verses of the song, “I Can’t Wait” and that performance was accompanied by Big Boi, who had a rap verse on the song. Andre 3000 has a verse on the song as well, but alas, he wasn’t there. 

    3000’s absence was palpable, but it did not ruin what was a perfect performance if there is such a thing. Killer Mike, a local businessman and social activist, has played a major part in some big hits in his own right. His verse on Big Boi’s “Kill Jill” got everyone on their feet, and his verse on Bone Crusher’s “Never Scared” might have stolen the show if not for Goodie Mob performing “Soul Food” and CeeLo’s performance of “Crazy.” 

    Big Gipp (above) rapped his verse from “Black Ice” early in the Dungeon Family performance. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    Shante’ Byron came to the park on day one with plans to enjoy as many performances as she could, but she did have a game plan for the two days.

    “I want to see all of the shows, but Jazmine Sullivan is my highlight,” she said. 

    Byron was wearing a black “Cowboy Carter” tour hoodie. 

    “I also want to see Future, Wale, Ludacris, and OutKast. Everybody else is a plus,” she said.  

    Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice

    The night included performances by Mary J. Blige, The Roots, Kehlani, and a closing set by Future, one of Atlanta’s most popular artists, but the evening belonged to the first family of Atlanta Hip-Hop, the Dungeon Family. 

    The surprise of day one would be the quality performance that was put on by the group, RSVP. The group is made up of R&B stars of yesteryear who somehow remain relevant: Bobby Valentino, Ray J, Pleasure P from the group Pretty Ricky, and Sammy, a former child star. The foursome interacted with the large crowd throughout their one-hour performance and was routinely applauded as each took over lead vocals when performing their respective songs. Ray J spent half of his performance off stage and inches from the crowd. 

    [ad_2]

    Donnell Suggs

    Source link

  • Rico Wade, founder of Organized Noize, TLC, has passed away at 52

    Rico Wade, founder of Organized Noize, TLC, has passed away at 52

    [ad_1]

    Rico Wade, one-third of the legendary production team Organized Noize and founding member of the Dungeon Family, has died. A cause of death has not been released at this time. Wade was 52.

    Wade was a pioneer, a trailblazer, and helped provide the sound for a generation of Atlanta artists. He produced records for OutKast and Goodie Mob, and he was integral in bringing in his younger cousin, Future, into the music business. Wade also TLC’s “Waterfalls” and En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go (Love).” The Dungeon Family was named for Wade’s basement studio, the Dungeon.

    Killer Mike took to Instagram to pen the following tribute:

    [ad_2]

    Staff Report

    Source link

  • Killer Mike Arrested After Winning 3 Grammys

    Killer Mike Arrested After Winning 3 Grammys

    [ad_1]

    Killer Mike, left, at the Grammys Premiere ceremony.
    Photo: Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images

    Just after he won three Grammys, Killer Mike was arrested at Crypto.com Arena, the site of the awards. On Monday, Mike released a statement explaining that there was “confusion” on what door to enter the venue before he was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. He clarified, “We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the upmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing.” A spokesperson for him also stated, “The situation has been overblown but we are confident that the facts of the case, when laid bare, will show that Mike did not commit the alleged offense and he will be exonerated.”

    Video tweeted by The Hollywood Reporter’s Chris Gardner shows the rapper, born Michael Render, being walked through the venue in handcuffs by police officers. “Mike, are you serious?” someone asks in the clip. “Yeah, I’m serious,” he replies. Mike was released later the same night, his attorney told Variety, adding that the rapper “will be celebrating his sweep tonight.” A jovial Mike called into the “Big Tigger Morning Show” on Atlanta’s V-103 the day after, where he brushed off the incident as “nothing” (other than having to remove his six-figure chain). “We hit a speed bump, and then we headed back to the party,” he said.

    A source told Gardner the arrest was for a misdemeanor unrelated to the ceremony and is “a big nothing.” However, sources told TMZ that Render was arrested after an altercation outside the Crypto.com Arena. Mike had just attended the Premiere Ceremony at the nearby Peacock Theater without incident. There, he swept his nominations in Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Album, making him one of the day’s top winners. LAPD Media Relations Division posted on Twitter that Killer Mike has been booked for misdemeanor battery and would soon be released. Vulture has reached out to the Los Angeles Police Department as well as representatives for Killer Mike and the Recording Academy.

    This post has been updated.



    [ad_2]

    Justin Curto

    Source link

  • 2024 Grammy Awards Recap

    2024 Grammy Awards Recap

    [ad_1]

    The 66th annual Grammy Awards were last night at the Crypto.com Arena in the not-so-sunny Los Angeles, California. As storms raged outside the arena, I tuned in for close to five hours of red carpet coverage and the sparkling ceremony to watch music’s biggest night and make my own judgments.

    At some points agonizing, the Grammys truly take their time. Packing performance after performance, people going well over their speech time, and leaving the main awards for the very end can feel never-ending. However, this year’s Grammy Awards had everything: Taylor Swift announcing a brand new album, Tortured Poet’s Department, Miley Cyrus getting her first two Grammy’s and delivering iconic speeches and performances, nods to Barbie, a visit from Celine Dion and a few controversial decisions.

    I mean, even Jay-Z took a shot at the Recording Academy for not giving Beyonce any Album of the Year awards despite having the most nominations. Taylor Swift brought Lana Del Rey on stage while accepting Album of the Year for Midnights to recognize how many artists’ sounds Del Rey’s influenced despite never having won a nomination. The Academy gets it wrong, and often.

    Who Won At The 2024 Grammys?

    Here are some winners from a few of the main categories, including the top four awards…And may I add that some of my predictions were spot on?

    Record of the Year: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus

    Album of the Year: Midnights by Taylor Swift

    Song of the Year: “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish and FINNEAS

    Best New Artist: Victoria Monet

    Producer of the Year: Jack Antonoff

    Best Pop Solo Performance: “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus

    Best Pop Duo Performance: “Ghost in the Machine” by SZA and Phoebe Bridgers

    Best Pop Vocal Album: Midnights by Taylor Swift

    Best Pop Dance Recording: “Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue

    Best Rock Performance: “Not Strong Enough” by boygenius

    Best Country Album: Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson

    Best R&B Song: “Snooze” by SZA

    Who Should’ve Won At The 2024 Grammys?

    The Grammy Awards are decided by the Academy- a group of voters within the music industry who I sometimes think forget to listen to the music of the nominees. It’s why Jay-Z spoke up while receiving the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, it is quite shocking that Beyonce has never won Album of the Year.

    While everyone at the Grammy’s deserves their awards, multiple artists got onstage to say this is not what they make music for. Artists like Miley Cyrus said she felt this happy yesterday because she’s doing it for herself. Taylor Swift thanks her fans, and says she’s happiest when making songs and doing what she loves…but sometimes, the awards gods are fickle.

    Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” went home empty-handed, which was another surprise. While GUTS may not be my favorite work of Rodrigo’s, “Vampire” was a chart-topping, viral song that I truly thought would win something. SZA’s SOS album was on top of the Billboard Hot 100 every week but failed to receive a mention in the top categories like Album of the Year.

    Lana Del Rey, who’s been nominated upwards of 10 times and wrote one of the best albums in the culmination of her already iconic discography with Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Boulevard? Received zero awards throughout the night. In a controversial move, Taylor Swift brought her up on stage so the world can recognize all Lana’s done.

    In the Best New Artist category, Ice Spice and Noah Kahan were betting favorites to win…but ultimately, it went to Victoria Monét.

    The Best Performances From The Grammys

    Miley Cyrus

    @mileycyrus♬ original sound – Miley Cyrus

    It’s been years since Cyrus has graced any sort of stage, and she didn’t disappoint. Every bit as honest, exciting, and a true rockstar as she’s ever been, Miley Cyrus is one-of-a-kind. From chiding the audience for not singing along to celebrating her first Grammy win during her performance of “Flowers”, you could tell that Miley just wanted to have fun.

    She even shared she was doing this performance so she could watch clips of it later…and also admitted to foregoing underwear. It was fun, carefree, and exactly how these award shows should be.

    Joni Mitchell

    You may wonder how someone with as illustrious a career as Joni Mitchell has never performed at the Grammy’s. Singing a song she wrote at 21 years old, over half a century later, “Both Sides Now” was both moving and refreshing. She’s won nine Grammy’s herself, nominated 18 times, and has inspired the sounds of our favorite artists.

    She took folk music and made it her own, and after having to re-learn how to talk (and sing) from a brain aneurysm, no one is more well-respected in the industry than Mitchell.

    Luke Combs + Tracy Chapman

    Luke Combs’ cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” dominated the charts this year. One of the most highly covered songs in the world, and Luke Combs put his country spin on it to create a beautiful, acoustic version. It feels almost entirely his own, but his performance with OG Tracy Chapman shows that music is, indeed, art.

    The song itself is a timeless classic, with Luke Combs being one of the most talented country vocalists in the game right now and Tracy Chapman reminding us the deep roots of the song.

    Other Notable Grammy Moments

    [ad_2]

    Jai Phillips

    Source link

  • Venus Williams, Spike Lee set for Black Entrepreneurs Day

    Venus Williams, Spike Lee set for Black Entrepreneurs Day

    [ad_1]

    LOS ANGELES (AP) — Venus Williams, Spike Lee, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shaquille O’Neal and Killer Mike are among those set to participate in a celebration of African American business success and opportunity.

    Black Entrepreneurs Day, founded and organized by “Shark Tank” panelist and FUBU chief executive Daymond John, will be held Oct. 27 at New York City’s Apollo Theater and streamed live on Johnson’s Facebook page and BlackEntrepreneursDay.com.

    In a statement, John said his goal for the third annual gathering remains to “inspire, educate, learn from and celebrate those that are hustling, pushing forward, pursuing their dreams and, in many cases, thriving.”

    Beginning at 7 p.m. EDT, the night will include John’s one-on-one discussions with celebrity and business guests; panels on topics including building generational wealth and elevating creativity and access, and a “pitch competition” for nascent entrepreneurs. Rapper Big Sean will close the Chase-presented event with a live performance.

    Black business owners and entrepreneurs can apply for $25,000 grants from the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant program created by John, with the event website open for applications through 11:59 p.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 12. More than $500,000 in grants has been given, according to organizers.

    “Black Entrepreneurs Day provides an invaluable resource to a community that is historically overlooked when it comes to resources and funding. It is truly economic inclusion for us, by us,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement.

    John, one of the original stars of ABC’s “Shark Tank,” founded the global lifestyle brand FUBU and is a motivational speaker and author.

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase: A Celebration of Black Business Curated by Daymond John Streaming Live From the Apollo Theater, Thursday, Oct. 27

    Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase: A Celebration of Black Business Curated by Daymond John Streaming Live From the Apollo Theater, Thursday, Oct. 27

    [ad_1]

    Spike Lee, Venus Williams, Tracee Ellis Ross, Shaquille O’Neal, Killer Mike, Big Sean, and More to Headline; ‘NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant’ Submissions Are Now Open — Awarding $150,000+ in Black Business Grants


    NEW CITY, N.Y., October 6, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Daymond John, the founder and CEO of FUBU and co-star of ABC’s four-time Emmy Award-winning show Shark Tank has announced the third annual Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase. In conjunction with Medium Rare and The Shark Group, Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase is an annual celebration of Black business, aiming to empower and celebrate entrepreneurs everywhere. Focused at the intersection of Business & Entertainment, Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase has quickly become one of the largest and most awarded Diversity & Inclusion events in America. Last year’s event attracted over 6.5 million viewers and won its third and fourth Webby Awards as the Best Remote Business & Finance event on the internet. This year’s free global live-stream will air on Thursday, Oct. 27, beginning at 7 p.m. ET across the Black Entrepreneurs Day website, Facebook, and more.

    Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase will feature Game Changer Conversations presented by The General Insurance®. The thoughtfully curated segment includes one-on-one discussions with Black businesses leaders and cultural icons including Shaquille O’Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike, moderated by Daymond John. Musical superstar Big Sean will cap off the evening with a live performance. All new for 2022, The Build Black with Shopify’s Pitch Competition will be a highlight of the program as budding entrepreneurs pitch their businesses live.

    Since its inception, Black Entrepreneurs Day has provided guidance and inspiration to the next generation of rising entrepreneurs as well as over $500,000 in business grants via the “NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant,” created by Daymond John. Black entrepreneurs and small business owners across the country can apply now for a $25,000 NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant on the event website through Oct. 12, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

    “Being in year three accomplishes one of my original goals of making Black Entrepreneurs Day one of the most fun D&I events of the year that brings icons of the Black community to participate in important conversations and moments. I want to thank Chase for sharing my vision to make this possible and help bring in an incredible lineup. Black Entrepreneurs Day will once again inspire, educate, learn from, and celebrate those that are hustling, pushing forward, pursuing their dreams and, in many cases, thriving. It is truly my honor to return to Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater and bring BED to a place near and dear to my heart while ensuring audiences throughout the world can stream the show for free,” said Daymond John.

    Black Entrepreneurs Day is excited to welcome its A-list guests and business leaders to the world famous Apollo Theater in Harlem in front of a live studio audience. The legendary Apollo Theater plays a vital role in cultivating emerging artists and launching legends. Since its founding in 1934, the Apollo has served as a center of innovation and a creative catalyst for Harlem, the city of New York, and the world.

    “Black Entrepreneurs Day provides an invaluable resource to a community that is historically overlooked when it comes to resources and funding. It is truly economic inclusion for us, by us. As we work to improve every aspect of the Black community — from education and health to building generational wealth — we know Black entrepreneurs and an inclusive, thriving economy are key. The NAACP will continue to ensure economic growth and sustainability for Black people. For the third year, we’re looking forward to seeing the ways that Black businesses are changing the landscape in industries like tech, beauty, travel and retail, and helping them scale through the NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant,” said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO, NAACP.

    Black Entrepreneurs Day presented by Chase Show Program:

    ●  Game Changer Conversations presented by The General Insurance featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike

    ●  Live Musical Performance by Big Sean

    ●  “NAACP Powershift Entrepreneur Grant” Celebration & Showcases

    ●  Build Black with Shopify’s Pitch Competition

    ●  Building Generational Wealth Featuring Tiki Barber presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

    ●  Fulfill Your Dreams: A Small Business Roundtable Featuring Metta Sandiford-Artest presented by Alibaba.com

    ●  Elevating Access presented by Lowe’s Featuring Lowe’s Chairman and CEO Marvin Ellison

    ●  Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together

    ●  Empowering Entrepreneurs presented by Chase

    ●  Innovating for Health Equity Roundtable presented by Johnson & Johnson

    ●  Magenta Edge Roundtable presented by T-Mobile for Business

    ●  #FundBlackFounders presented by Google

    ●  The Breakdown presented by The General Insurance

    ● Build Black with Shopify Roundtable

    For the third year in a row, Daymond is honored to partner with JPMorgan Chase to power the Black Entrepreneurs Day broadcast. Through Chase resources, the firm offers financial tools and guidance to support business owners who want to start, run and grow their businesses. Through its Advancing Black Pathways (ABP) initiative, JPMorgan Chase is striving to strengthen the economic foundation of the Black community globally. In 2020, ABP partnered with Chase for Business to launch Advancing Black Entrepreneurs (ABE), an educational program that offers practical advice and resources to help business owners navigate challenges and prepare for long-term success. Brian Lamb, Northeast Segment Head of Middle Market Banking & Specialized Industries for JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, will discuss ABE during the Black Entrepreneurs Day program and will be joined by Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., President and CEO, Black Enterprise, and Mindelyn Anderson, founder of Mirror Group LLC. Additionally, during Building Generational Wealth presented by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Tiki Barber and Daymond will speak about how clients can become financially savvy and Barber’s career from a famed athlete to successful entrepreneur. “The journey of Black entrepreneurs can be a mosaic of highs and lows, but that journey can serve as an inspiration to generations. As a firm, we’re committed to helping Black entrepreneurs get access to the critical resources they need to be successful, and we are proud to be a part of Black Entrepreneurs Day, which seeks to support and celebrate this inspiring community,” said Byna Elliott, global head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase.

    For the third year in a row, The General Insurance will power the event’s “Game Changer Conversations” featuring Daymond in inspirational one-on-one conversations with Black business leaders and cultural icons. Prepare for game-changing conversations featuring Shaquille O’Neal, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee, Venus Williams, and Killer Mike. In addition to this year’s Game Changer Conversations, The General Insurance will also present a conversation entitled “The Breakdown,” featuring Morgan DeBaun, founder and CEO of Blavity, Inc., Ryan Wilson, CEO and co-founder of The Gathering Spot, and EJ Reed, co-founder of Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria, alongside Daymond John, focused on the importance of overcoming adversity and scaling Black-owned businesses.

    PepsiCo is committed to addressing inequity and creating opportunities for Black communities and consumers through its various teams, programs, and initiatives including Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together. Historically Better is a platform that celebrates HBCU talent and culture, elevates and engages HBCU students, alumni and fans, and inspires the next generation of Black leaders. From highlighting industry trailblazers to awarding scholarships and internships, Historically Better utilizes the power of PepsiCo’s diverse brand portfolio to address inequity and level the playing field for HBCU students with an end-to-end experience celebrating Black excellence in all its forms. This year, Historically Better will host an exclusive conversation between Daymond John and Kenny Thompson, Jr., Vice President of External Affairs for North America at PepsiCo, on the importance of inspiring the next generation of Black leaders, live from Howard University amongst a select group of undergraduate and graduate students. “Historically Better powered by Pepsi Stronger Together celebrates the Black excellence that lives and thrives at our nation’s HBCUs. I’m proud to bring this program to Black Entrepreneurs Day and to highlight PepsiCo’s work to confront inequity and empower Black communities and businesses. By nurturing the next generation of cultural changemakers and supporting Black business owners as they grow and lift up their communities, PepsiCo can help drive change,” said Kenny Thompson, Jr., PepsiCo.

    The future is now with Shopify. Through initiatives such as Build Black and its support of the 1MBB movement, Shopify has continued to reshape the ways in which minorities are supported and businesses, especially Black-owned businesses, are given a platform to be seen. Together with Daymond John and Black Entrepreneurs Day, Shopify will introduce an exciting new component of the show — Build Black with Shopify’s Pitch Competition. A live pitch competition taking place at the Apollo in front of a panel of judges, this year’s Pitch Competition will feature three Shopify merchants from their Build Black Community who are looking to win $25,000 and exclusive mentorship from Daymond John to further their business journey. In addition to the Pitch Competition. Shopify will also present a Build Black Roundtable featuring the three Black women who are actively working towards supporting and amplifying the thousands of Black businesses that come into the Build Black program, custom content and Daymond John’s BED Picks — a hand-selected list of Black-owned Shopify brands from the Build Black Community that we can’t get enough of.

    Johnson & Johnson (J&J) is proud to partner with Black Entrepreneurs Day for the second year, as part of its Our Race to Health Equity initiative, a bold aspiration to help eradicate racial and social injustice within public health by eliminating health inequities for people of color. One of the ways the company is working to change the culture of healthcare is by investing in and supporting care models and solutions that drive healthier outcomes. During the Johnson & Johnson Innovating for Health Equity Roundtable, Daymond will host a dialogue with Vanessa Broadhurst, Executive Vice President, Global Corporate Affairs, Johnson & Johnson, Dr. Uché Blackstock, founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity, and Barbara Rhoden, PhD, Head of Marketing, Primasun and Johnson & Johnson Innovation Board Fellow, to discuss how Black entrepreneurs are aligning business acumen and purpose-driven passion to address racial health inequities. The conversation will also cover some of the tools and resources that the company has put in place through Johnson & Johnson Innovation and Johnson & Johnson Impact Ventures, a fund within the Johnson & Johnson Foundation, to empower early-stage innovators to drive more inclusive healthcare solutions created for the community by the community.

    Lowe’s has remained committed to supporting Black entrepreneurs through various programming and initiatives. Live from the Apollo Theater, Daymond John will sit down with Marvin Ellison, Lowe’s chairman and CEO, to discuss the unique ways Lowe’s has supported diverse communities and minority-owned businesses.

    Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest B2B e-commerce marketplaces and a business unit of Alibaba Group, is proud to partner with Black Entrepreneurs Day to present a groundbreaking conversation entitled Fulfill Your Dreams: A Small Business Roundtable centered on Alibaba.com’s innovative initiatives to support small businesses. Featuring past Alibaba.com Grants Program winners Eva Jane Bunkley and Matt Jones, as well as Alibaba.com’s Alex Tsai and renowned Metta Sandiford-Artest (formerly Metta World Peace), this conversation will further inspire entrepreneurs globally. Alibaba.com recently launched the Alibaba.com “Manifest” Grants Program, which aims to celebrate the innovativeness of U.S. small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and enhance the competitive edge of their products. Entrepreneurs can now apply for the Alibaba.com Manifest Grants Program HERE, which will provide monetary funds and procurement resources to small businesses that have innovative product ideas and go-to-market strategies. In addition, one lucky winner will receive one-on-one mentorship from Daymond John.

    Google‘s dedication to supporting Black communities and entrepreneurs is unmatched through various initiatives such as the Google for Startups for Black Founders Fund and so much more. During this year’s Black Entrepreneurs Day, Daymond John and Melonie Parker, Google’s Chief Diversity Officer, will host a conversation entitled #FundBlackFounders, focused on the Black startup founders who are building great companies yet are locked out of access to the funding that is critical to their success. At its core, Google is on a mission to support diverse startup communities globally — and that’s precisely what Melonie and Daymond will dive into in this impactful discussion.

    As a returning partner, T-Mobile for Business and its small business content destination Magenta Edge have joined forces with Daymond John for year three to present an exclusive Magenta Edge roundtable. Featuring three savvy, successful small business owners, this year’s Magenta Edge Roundtable unpacks how Black entrepreneurs can raise the odds of running a thriving business over the long run. They discuss the value of strong connections, how to better access capital, and the role the community plays in the staying power of a business. Magenta Edge is an initiative created by T-Mobile for Business on a mission to help American small business owners navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. With a foundational focus on minority-owned small businesses, Magenta Edge has a growing library of original content, educational programming, real stories, and insights to help teach and inspire all entrepreneurs.

    An avid supporter of Black-owned businesses and organizations as well as a returning partner of Black Entrepreneurs Day, Facebook will be the preferred streaming partner of this year’s event. Tune in to Daymond John’s Facebook page on Oct. 27 to watch for free.

    The one-of-a-kind historic live-stream will take place on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET, live from Harlem’s World Famous Apollo Theater. The studio audience will be made up of NAACP groups, HBCU students, and those lucky enough to get a free ticket to the event taping on BlackEntrepreneursDay.com — Apply Now. For the millions of viewers watching at home, Black Entrepreneurs Day will be completely free and available worldwide beginning at 7 p.m. ET on the Black Entrepreneurs Day website, Facebook via Daymond John’s page and across all other social media channels.

    Final Event Flyer — CLICK HERE

    ABOUT DAYMOND JOHN

    Daymond John is CEO and founder of FUBU, a much-celebrated global lifestyle brand, and a pioneer in the fashion industry with over $6 billion in product sales. John’s marketing strategies and ability to build successful brands has made him a highly influential consultant and motivational speaker today. John is also an author of four best-selling books, including his New York Times best-selling books The Power of Broke (2016) and Rise and Grind (2018). A Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship under the Obama Administration, John is celebrating his 14th season on ABC’s four-time Emmy Award-winning show Shark Tank where, as one of the original Sharks, he demonstrates his marketing prowess and entrepreneurial insights.

    ABOUT MEDIUM RARE

    Focused at the intersection of Sports & Entertainment, Medium Rare partners with athletes, celebrities, and brands to build iconic media properties. Medium Rare is the creator and producer of Webby Award-winning brands including Shaq’s Fun House, Daymond John’s Black Entrepreneurs Day, Guy Fieri’s Restaurant Reboot, The Sports Illustrated Awards, Rob Gronkowski’s Gronk Beach, SHAQ vs GRONK, and more. Medium Rare was founded by Joe Silberzweig and Adam Richman, who were recently honored with 4X Webby Awards, Forbes 30 Under 30, and Pollstar’s Next Gen Impact. Learn more at www.Medium-Rare.com.

    ABOUT SHARK GROUP

    The Shark Group’s team of expert communicators, strategic analysts, and creative heavyweights excels in propelling brands into the fabric of pop culture. Founded by award-winning entrepreneur Daymond John, the agency’s culture is deeply rooted in thinking like entrepreneurs to create value for its partners and clients. Some of its clients include Chase, Shopify, T-Mobile, AARP, Daymond John, Carlos Santana, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and many others. Learn more at www.TheSharkGroup.com.

    Source: Black Entrepreneurs Day

    [ad_2]

    Source link