Get Your Idea Funded

Do you want to gain more equity? From projects that increase access to capital to resources that increase disaster preparedness and relief, the Minority Business Development Agency is in search of innovative ideas that will benefit minority-owned businesses and will award up to $11.65 million in grants to fund and implement the projects across the country.

This year, the MBDA is including categories for formerly incarcerated persons and research projects to quantify and address the needs and challenges of minority businesses. “Recognizing the critical role of entrepreneurship in reducing recidivism and unemployment for released prisoners, the Agency saw an opportunity to support the Department of Commerce’s efforts to reduce crime, enhance public safety and improve the lives of all Americans through educational entrepreneurship programs,” MBDA said in a news release.

“We are excited to begin this year’s application process and look forward to receiving the proposals,” said Acting National Director Edith McCloud. “Minority-owned businesses contribute greatly to our economy, and through the BAA, we can work to meet the needs of this community with the ultimate goals of continued expansion, growth and job creation.”

Through its Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which is designed to solicit proposals, the search is open to for-profit entities including sole-proprietorship, partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations), non-profit organizations, institutions of higher education, commercial organizations, individuals, state and local government entities, or Indian Tribal governments.

The focal points of the BAAs are aligned with the Agency’s key priorities in support of minority-owned businesses. Priorities include:

Access to Capital American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian Entities and/or Initiatives
Aquaculture
Disaster Readiness
Disaster Recovery
Entrepreneurship Education Program for Formerly Incarcerated Persons
Global Minority Women Economic Empowerment Initiative
Historically Black Colleges & Universities Initiative
Inclusive Infrastructure Initiative
Research
Space Commerce
Sustainable Business Model
Technology Transfer and Commercialization
Virtual Business Centers
Two pre-application teleconferences to educate potential applicants about the federal funding opportunity announcement are scheduled for June 18 and 21 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Applicants are encouraged to attend at least one of the pre-application teleconferences.

Deadline to submit completed applications for the broad agency announcement ends July 11 at 11:59 p.m. For more information and to register for a pre-application teleconference visit

www.mbda.gov/page/2018-mbda-broad-agency-announcement or www.mbda.gov

Introducing the Concept of Candy Pickles to the World

 

Entrepreneurs are people who establish new businesses by developing and implementing unique ideas. They take risks to create and manage profitable businesses by utilizing limited resources. Entrepreneurship typically starts with an idea or concept for a product or service that motivates an individual to transform that idea into a profitable business. 

However, many businesses fail during the initial stages because entrepreneurs cannot go through with their ideas or lack the skills, expertise, and experience to take a company to new heights. Innovation is also essential for successful entrepreneurship because new products and innovations are necessary for a successful business. Entrepreneurs develop and run businesses with limited resources while fulfilling market demands and customer needs. 

Jay-Z To Open Roc Nation University Next Year

Named after his entertainments company, Jay-Z's Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment will be a faculty of Brooklyn's Long Island University in New York, offering undergraduate degrees in music, music technology, entrepreneurship and production, and sports management.

Planning to open its doors next year, prospective students can apply in autumn this year, with courses due to start in September 2021. A quarter of the incoming students will also receive the Roc Nation Hope Scholarship, with the mission statement on LIU's website sharing that "The Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment at LIU Brooklyn will serve as a globally renowned destination for world-class education, exceptional career development, cultural initiatives and philanthropic endeavors."

2Pac's Godfather Speaks

Writer/educator and former Black Panther Party organizer Jamal Joseph sat down with AllHipHop.com to discuss the legacy of Tupac Shakur, in an interview released on the 20th anniversary of his death on [September 13]. Having been one of Shakur's mother Afeni's comrades, and an elder whom Pac referred to as "uncle," Joseph, 63, had been in regular communication with the late icon prior to his death.

Do You Think Outside The Box

Youth Entrepreneurship Summit is pushing young people to think outside the box. Here are a few tips that we have learned along the way that have aided us in getting outside the box:

1.  Identify the issue.

2.  Determine whether a regular or typical solution to the problem exists.

3.  If one does, you’re done. If no, map out everything that went into creating the issue. In this aspect, be expansive. Include everything possible.

4.  Once you start mapping out the issue more completely, start looking for ways to  address the situation in one of the more outlying areas that was not considered  previously.

5.  Never dismiss a possible solution on the basis, “It simply cannot be done.” Consider everything. Go through every possibility until you know for a fact it can or cannot be done.

Teach yourself to look at problems more expansively. Never be dismissive of a potential solution before you have thoroughly thought it through. In thinking outside the box we began looking at how did the opponent acquire their trademark rights they are now asserting against us?

‘Think outside the box’ is one of the biggest creativity cliches. The basic idea is that to be creative you need to challenge your own assumptions and look at things from a fresh angle. You need to break out of conventional thinking and take off the blinkers formed by past experience.

Opportunities are out there for young entrepreneurs and Y.E.S. is a great way to create discussion with those just starting out as well as others who’ve turned ideas into reality. “Anything can happen but if you really want to put your mind to it and see change happen it has to start with you.” 

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Snoop Dogg Receives Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame

The honor arrives nearly 25 years after the “Peaches And Cream” rapper introduced himself Snoop Dogg to the music industry with his debut album Doggystyle. Since then, the veteran artist went on to rack up awards, star in films, and host an Emmy-nominated show alongside Martha Stewart.

Snoop Dogg will now be referred to as the 2,651st recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place on Monday (Nov. 19) in the “Gin & Juice” rapper’s home state of California. At the start of his speech, the 47-year-old artist gave praise to Warren G, his family, his wife, and the battle rappers he encountered on his rise to fame.

Source

“Snoop is a multi-talent: rapper, songwriter, record producer, TV host, actor, author, entrepreneur,” Kimmel said before comically adding that Snoop won the Nobel Peace Prize for combining gin and juice. “You crossed over color lines, you crossed over genre lines before almost anyone else in hip-hop did that. You put the O-G in D-O-double-G and I know you won’t remember any of this in half an hour but you’ve been such a good friend to me and I want to say congratulations and thank you.”

Dr. Dre also took to the podium, stating that almost 30 years as partners in music, he and Snoop have developed a bond that extends far beyond the studio. “I had no idea how I was going to do it, how it was going to get done, and them boom, here comes Snoop,” Dre said on putting together his The Chronic album. “A true diamond in the rough. Snoop is just pure raw talent. Nobody sounds like Snoop, and when he opens his mouth you know exactly who it is.”

Fellow Walk of Famer Quincy Jones also congratulated everyone’s favorite uncle for his prowess since the days of Doggystyle to serving as a beacon of entrepreneurship for young people. “It was 25 years ago, but it seems only yesterday that you and your crew were hanging at my house. I wasn’t even in town, but it’s alright though,” he said to laughs. “Because you were family then and you are family now and forever, eternally. How magnificent your journey has been from St. Louis to Long Beach to Hollywood.”

Yo Gotti Now Co-Owner Of MLS Team D.C. United

 

Along with being a chart-topping artist, Yo Gotti pushed into the business world, closing what appears to be a massive deal with DC United. Reports surfaced noting the rapper is now co-owner of the D.C. United soccer team.

Christina Aguilera signs to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation

 

Founded by the rapper in 2008, the company currently boasts the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Mariah Carey, Nick Jonas and Haim on its roster. As Variety reports, Aguilera has now been added to the label’s management division – though an official announcement is yet to be made.

Sources close to Roc Nation claim that the deal went through weeks ago, and the pop star is now listed on the company’s website. There’s currently no word on potential new material from the singer. It comes after Aguilera announced she’d parted ways with her manager of 20 years, Irving Azoff, last week. It’s unknown whether her team-up with Roc Nation Management came prior to or after their decision to split.

The Lavish Lifestyle Of Chanel West Coast

Chelsea Chanel Dudley, better known by her stage name Chanel West Coast, is an American rapper, singer, actress, model and television personality. She came to prominence for her roles in MTV's Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory and Ridiculousness.

West Coast is estimated to make at least US$ 200,000 per year. The figure includes earnings from her rapping career, acting, YouTube channel, endorsements, and entrepreneurship. Though she's barely out of her 20s, reality TV vixen-turned-rapper Chanel West Coast has been famous for well over a decade.

Jay-Z Sells Off One Bottle Of D’usse

 

Jay-Z’s auction of a rare bottle of his D’usse Cognac raked in mid-five figures during an auction with Sotheby’s.

The Roc Nation honcho sold off a luxury D’usse 1969 Anniversaire Limited Edition bottle for $52,500 to raise funds to support professional advancement and entrepreneurship workshops for students.

The decades-old cognac has a 24-karat gold foil around the neck, a diamond decanter design encased in a leather box. This particular bottle of D’usse was even rarer because it was engraved with Jay-Z’s signature.