Business and Finance
Joseph Nyumah Boakai speaks at the Black Business Conference
PR Newswire reports that just about 3,000 attendees at the National Business League’s 124th National Black Business Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, listened words of encouragement from the keynote speaker and Liberian President Joseph Nyumah Boakai
The historic event, held on September 3 in partnership with the National Black Business Alliance and co-founders, the National Black Chamber of Commerce and the World Conference of Mayors, aimed to strengthen economic partnerships and collaboration between Black businesses in America and African countries.
With a specific deal with Liberia, Boakai’s speech added considerable value by identifying a direct line back to Business League founder Booker T. Washington, who played a key role in Liberia’s history. When the African nation was threatened with takeover by European colonial forces in 1907, Liberia turned to the founding father of Tuskegee University to intervene. Washington was capable of contain the foreign actors, ensure Liberia’s survival, and lay the foundation for pan-Africanist relations.
Boakai emphasized how cooperation with Liberia, the Pan-African community and the US private sector will increase economic opportunities. He also called for stronger economic ties to assist expand opportunities for black businesses around the world. According to the Liberian Observer, National Business League President and CEO Dr. Kenneth Harris celebrated the success of the conference, calling it a full circle. “This is an important occasion because 40 years ago, the World Conference of Mayors held its first conference in Monrovia, Liberia. And now it’s full circle,” Harris said.
“So should I say that since we first came home, now Liberia is coming to the United States to continue the work that was started 40 years ago, with the difference that now we are focusing on black businesses?”
As the Liberian president touted the country as having a few of the “best opportunities for investors, including black businesses represented at this conference,” he announced the creation of the ARREST Agenda, which focuses on investment and development in agriculture, roads and infrastructure, in addition to education, health and sanitation, and tourism. “While these are not the end-all-be-all interventions to spur growth, we believe they are drivers of growth and development,” Boakai said.
“Liberia’s fertile land and favorable climate create enormous opportunities for investment in agriculture, especially rice production.”
He also emphasized energy, as Liberia seeks investment in solar, hydroelectric and biomass projects to fulfill growing needs. The president says the country’s installed capability is near 126 megawatts, while demand is sort of greater than 500 megawatts.
“This creates a significant gap between supply and demand, which underscores the urgent need for investment in developing renewable energy sources to provide more Liberians with reliable access to electricity and support industries, including manufacturing, for economic growth,” he said.
With major sponsors like Amazon, Comerica Bank and Prosper Africa, the conference brought together a various audience, including government officials, business leaders and representatives from 32 pan-African countries. The 2025 conference is scheduled for Aug. 20-23 at the Hilton Atlanta Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
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
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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.
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