Lumina, a newly launched media group and venture capital firm, is backing Carrousel Studios, the latest venture by French actor Omar Sy. Sy, celebrated for roles in Lupin and The Intouchables, co-founded Carrousel Studios with director Louis Leterrier (The Incredible Hulk). A Star-Driven Production Model Founded by Gangs of London producer Thomas Benski, Lumina’s mission is to give creators greater control over their intellectual property. Carrousel Studios, Lumina’s first major partnership, reflects this vision by prioritising intellectual property ownership and sustainability for high-profile talent. “Too often, artists aren’t at the
At just 12 years old, Alyssa Awuah has become the youngest-ever winner at the PRECIOUS Awards, a platform celebrating the achievements of Black women and girls in the UK. Alyssa, the Co-Founder and “mini-CEO” of Frobelles—a dress-up game empowering kids to embrace afro hair—was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the event sponsored by Santander and supported by the Joseph Levy Foundation. Frobelles Game Champions Afro Hair Frobelles was born from Alyssa’s curiosity as a six-year-old, asking her mother, Yvonne Ottley, why none of her game characters resembled her
Emmy-winning comedian and actor, Katt Williams, has purchased a 3-million-square-foot former military base in Alabama, with plans to transform it into a state-of-the-art movie studio. A Vision For A New Era In Black Filmmaking Williams confirmed the purchase in a recent GQ interview but kept the location and price under wraps. However, sources have pointed to Fort McClellan in Anniston, a site valued at $1.5 million, as the likely spot. Boasting 90 acres of undeveloped land, barracks, and multiple buildings, the space offers a lot of potential for large-scale productions. “It’s
Mielle Organics, a leader in textured hair care, has announced its first-ever partnership with an HBCU athletic program, which includes a WNBA-led mentorship program for student athletes. Mielle partners with Hampton University Mielle Organics has pledged $300,000 to Hampton University’s women’s basketball. The multi-year partnership includes a $200,000 donation to Hampton Athletics and a $100,000 endowed scholarship through Mielle Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm. Additionally, Mielle is introducing a WNBA-led mentorship program, providing Hampton athletes with professional guidance both on and off the court. Investing in the Future of HBCU
Michael Rainey Jr., star of PowerBook II: Ghost, has introduced a $2.4 million financial literacy program targeting high school students in his hometown of Staten Island, New York. In partnership with the Restoring America Recovery Education (RARE) Foundation and Equifax, the initiative—called “Educate a Student. Protect Yourself”—aims to provide up to 250,000 students with the tools they need to secure their financial futures. Empowering Students With Financial Knowledge Rainey officially launched the program on November 24 at Port Richmond High School, where he engaged directly with students, sharing his journey
Canadian rapper Drake has filed a pre-action petition in New York State court against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify USA Inc., accusing the music giants of artificially boosting the streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s song, Not Like Us. According to Drake, the alleged scheme was part of a strategy to amplify Lamar’s track at his expense. Claims of Artificial Inflation Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, asserts that UMG employed bots and discounted licensing rates to mislead listeners about the song’s popularity. Released in May 2024, Not Like Us broke
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo has launched a new venture capital firm, Build Your Legacy Ventures (BYL Ventures). Build Your Legacy Ventures This innovative firm aims to create growth in sports and entertainment industries by connecting founders with industry leaders. “This fund is not just about capital,” Antetokounmpo stated in a press release. “It’s about forging partnerships and opening my network to accelerate the growth trajectory for companies. I want to help other entrepreneurs, especially those who have faced barriers, to grow and succeed.” Backing Women in Sports BYL Ventures
Recently, REVOLT, a prominent Black-owned multimedia company, announced the launch of Black Shift. Developed by its creative agency, Six Zeros, Black Shift is an AI-powered research platform designed to help brands better understand and engage with Gen Z, particularly within the Black community. This initiative dives into the aspirations, values, and behaviors shaping one of the most culturally influential generations. A Data-Driven Approach to Understanding Gen Z Black Shift combines over 500 hours of interviews with insights from 700 Gen Z participants across the US. Using personalized AI tools, the
As Transgender Awareness Week shines a spotlight on the challenges and achievements of the transgender community, the tech industry offers inspiring stories of resilience and innovation. This week, we’re celebrating trans people of color in tech who are breaking barriers, creating opportunities, and shaping a more inclusive future in one of the world’s most dynamic sectors. From empowering marginalized communities to championing diversity in STEM, these leaders are making waves in the industry and beyond. Here’s a closer look at some of the trailblazers leading the charge for equity and
Shaquille O’Neal, former NBA star and current sports commentator, has reportedly agreed to an $11 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over his promotion of Astrals non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Shaq’s NFT Lawsuit And FTX Links Under Legal Scrutiny The settlement, awaiting court approval, also addresses separate claims linked to the collapse of cryptocurrency exchange FTX. The lawsuit was filed after investors alleged they suffered financial losses tied to Astrals NFTs, a collection of 10,000 digital collectibles promoted by O’Neal. Plaintiffs argued that his celebrity endorsement heavily influenced their
