Business and Finance
Black influencers, including the owner of a plus-size boutique, are among those lobbying Congress not to ban TikTok
WASHINGTON (AP) – Lawmakers, meet your newest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok.
The platform is once more inviting influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a quickly passed bill that will force TikTok’s Beijing-based parent company to be sold or banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers kicked off a two-day event in support of TikTok, which organized their trip ahead of the House vote on the bill on Wednesday.
But unlike a similar lobbying event the company held last March, when talk of banning TikTok got here to a head, this yr’s motion seemed more rushed as the company tried hard to counter laws that was moving quickly on Capitol Hill.
“If they ban it, I don’t know what that will do” to the company, Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who’s visiting Washington this week, said in an interview organized by the platform. “It will be devastating.” The laws enjoys extraordinary support in Congress.
Last week, a House panel unanimously approved the measure in an unusual display of bipartisanship. President Joe Biden has said he’ll sign the bill whether it is passed by lawmakers. However, it’s unclear what is going to occur in the Senate, where several bills geared toward banning TikTok are stalled.
The laws faces other obstacles. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over Republicans in each the House of Representatives and the Senate, has expressed opposition to the bill, saying it will strengthen the position of Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to sharply criticize for its defeat in elections in 2020. The bill also faces opposition from some progressive lawmakers in the House, in addition to civil liberties groups who say it violates the First Amendment.
TikTok may very well be banned if parent company ByteDance fails to sell its stake in the platform and other apps it owns inside six months of the law’s entry into force.
The fight over the platform comes at a time when U.S.-China relations have turned strategic competition, especially in areas resembling advanced technologies and data security, seen as necessary to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The change, which began under Trump and continued under Biden, imposed restrictions on high-tech exports and the outflow of US money to China, in addition to access of some Chinese firms to the US market.
The Biden administration also cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese firms accused of helping the state’s surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities.
Featured Stories
There is not any shortage of lobbyists on TikTok. Its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, has a powerful lobbying apparatus in Washington that features dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and law firms, in addition to influential figures resembling former members of Congress and former advisers to influential lawmakers, according to the Defense Foundation Democracy.
TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew may even be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesman who said Chew’s visit was previously planned.
But influencers who’ve a strong following on social media and may share personal stories about how the platform has empowered their businesses – or just given them a voice – are still arguably one of the strongest tools a company has in its arsenal.
A TikTok spokesperson said the two-day event can be attended by dozens of influencers, including some who got here last yr. A spokesman did not immediately respond to questions on what number of recent people will take part in this yr’s lobbying foray. The company informs them about this before meetings with representatives and media interviews.
Lucille runs a plus-size boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina, and according to her, she has seen a significant increase in revenue thanks to her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began creating content on TikTok, specializing in plus-size fashion, in March 2022, greater than a decade after founding the company. She quickly gained hundreds of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique.
Due to her popularity on the platform, her company has more online visibility and more customers, some of whom have even visited from throughout Europe. She says she also frequently hears from followers who find support in her content about fashion and self-confidence.
JT Laybourne, an influencer who also got here to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after receiving negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram singing in the automotive together with his children.
Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was drawn to the short video platform since it was easy to create videos that included music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained popularity on the app. He says he has also received more support from TikTok users who’ve responded positively to the content he has created about love and positivity.
Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. He said that after surgery, he used the platform to raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in lower than two years. His family now runs a clothing company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok.
“I will fight tooth and nail for this application,” he said.
But it’s unclear whether the opposition the company gathers through lobbyists or influencers will likely be enough to derail the bill. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials about national security concerns about TikTok.
Business and Finance
The US dollar fell as voters headed to the polls
The US dollar dropped in value on November 5 as crowds of American voters went to the polls to forged their ballots.
The dollar even fell in betting markets like PredictIt and Polymarket indicated The probabilities of Trump winning the presidential election are increasing, Reuters reports. With Donald Trump returning to the White House with a Republican-led House and Senate, extreme currency movements ought to be expected.
Trump’s immigration and tariff policies are expected to fuel inflation, while tax cuts for the wealthy and deregulation could spur growth by pushing up longer-dated Treasury yields and pushing up the value of the dollar.
By contrast, a Democratic victory was expected to weaken the dollar as bets on Trump were withdrawn, and investors were concerned about the economic impact of upper taxes on the wealthy and stricter business regulations.
“We may be seeing some leveling off… my impression is that people are being cautious,” said Steve Englander, head of worldwide G10 FX research and macroeconomic strategy for North America at Standard Chartered Bank’s New York branch.
“Right now, the mood seems to be in favor of Trump,” Englander said. “On the other hand, for most of October and early November, Trump’s trading was characterized by a stronger dollar and higher yields.”
Globally, a Trump victory may lead to a weakening of the euro, Mexican peso and Chinese yuan, as these regions could face recent tariffs under his administration. Bitcoin rose 2.76% to $68,928, with Trump’s views seen as more favorable towards cryptocurrencies. Traders are closely watching the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting that ends on Thursday, expecting the U.S. central bank to cut rates of interest by 25 basis points.
Elsewhere on Tuesday, the U.S. services sector rose to its highest level in greater than two years in October, with employment rebounding strongly. This suggests that the near halt in job growth last month was an aberration.
Business and Finance
First Black-owned gift wrapping brand sold at Lowe’s, Hallmark
Ardean Miller, pioneering entrepreneur Mah Melaninis breaking barriers because the founding father of the primary Black-owned gift wrapping brand, partnering with Hallmark and Lowe’s across the country. With a concentrate on cultural representation, she founded Mah Melanin to fill a niche available in the market for products that commemorate the wonder and variety of black culture.
“When I started Mah Melanin, I wanted to create something more than just beautiful gift packaging. I wanted to start a movement — a place where our stories are told, our beauty is celebrated, and our community is uplifted,” she says. “Partnering with these iconic retailers is a testament to the growing demand for products that reflect our experiences and heritage.”
Breaking down barriers and empowering communities
The partnership with Hallmark and Lowe’s represents a big step toward greater diversity and inclusion within the retail space, reflecting a broader cultural shift. This groundbreaking achievement highlights the growing recognition of the importance of culturally authentic products that encourage and empower.
Under her leadership, Mah Melanin has developed from a small start-up right into a nationally recognized brand. The company has gained endorsements from industry icons comparable to Teddy Riley, Master P and Denise Boutte, and has been noticed by major organizations including an NBA feature and a finalist on QVC’s “The Big Find.” These awards confirm the brand’s commitment to quality, creativity and resilience.
Inspiring the subsequent generation of Black entrepreneurs
He is devoted to not only the success of his brand, but in addition supporting the expansion of other Black entrepreneurs by offering mentorship, sharing resources and creating opportunities for collaboration. Through his efforts, he wants to construct a legacy that can encourage future generations to interrupt barriers and achieve greatness,” he adds.
Mah Melanin’s journey reflects a commitment to celebrating Black culture and amplifying Black and Brown voices through its products, making a profound impact available in the market and beyond.
Discover their products at MahMelanin.com and remember to follow the brand Facebook AND Instagram
Originally
Business and Finance
Jayson Tatum wants to invest in a potential WNBA team in St. Louis
The WNBA plans to add an expansion team to its current roster, and NBA champion Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics plans to grow to be an investor in bringing the team to his hometown of St. Louis.
According to , Tatum is connecting two billionaires who want to bring the league’s sixteenth team to Missouri City. The ownership group is headed by billionaires Richard Chaifetz and David Hoffman. Chaifetz’s previous investments include the Alpine F1 team, Major League Pickleball and the Drone Racing League. Hoffman is a developer and owner of the Florida Everblades, a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Blues.
But despite interest in having a WNBA team in her city, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert says at the least 10 other teams will pose stiff competition.
“The good news is that we have a lot of demand from many cities,” Engelbert said before the WNBA Finals. “I might say about 10 or possibly even plus at this point because I believe the more people watch the WNBA and see what we’re developing here and see these players and the product on the court, the more persons are interested in having it in their cities “.
Tatum has informally agreed to invest in a potential WNBA team. He wants to present the group’s offer to other potential investors and the league itself behind the scenes.
The presentation shown to other potential investors outlines town’s basketball history, dating back to the times of the St. Louis Hawks, which won the NBA championship in 1958. The team can have a home at Chaifetz Arena, where the University of St. Louis is home. The 10,600-seat arena was named in honor of Chaifetz, who donated $12 million to his alma mater in 2007 just over 15 years ago in 2007.
-
Press Release7 months ago
CEO of 360WiSE Launches Mentorship Program in Overtown Miami FL
-
Business and Finance5 months ago
The Importance of Owning Your Distribution Media Platform
-
Press Release7 months ago
U.S.-Africa Chamber of Commerce Appoints Robert Alexander of 360WiseMedia as Board Director
-
Business and Finance8 months ago
360Wise Media and McDonald’s NY Tri-State Owner Operators Celebrate Success of “Faces of Black History” Campaign with Over 2 Million Event Visits
-
Ben Crump7 months ago
Another lawsuit accuses Google of bias against Black minority employees
-
Fitness7 months ago
Black sportswear brands for your 2024 fitness journey
-
Theater8 months ago
Applications open for the 2020-2021 Soul Producing National Black Theater residency – Black Theater Matters
-
Ben Crump8 months ago
Henrietta Lacks’ family members reach an agreement after her cells undergo advanced medical tests