Celebrity Coverage
Breaking records and glass ceilings: how black women athletes are changing business – Essence
Allyson Felix on the 2024 Glamor Women of the Year held at The Times Square EDITION on October 8, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Stephanie Augello/Variety via Getty Images)
The journey from sports star to business tycoon is not easy – it’s more like a grueling marathon with unexpected obstacles.
However, Black female athletes are overcoming these obstacles to create empires that reach far beyond the sphere and court. Their transition is not only a game changer; it’s rewriting the algorithm for fulfillment.
Report on the state of women-owned enterprises for 2023 he dropped a bombshell: Between 2014 and 2019, the variety of Black women-owned businesses skyrocketed by 50%. It’s not only growth – it is a boom that is shaking up the entrepreneurial landscape. And guess who’s leading the charge? The same women who break records and shatter expectations in sports.
Serena Williams: Serena aces at Venture Capital
When Serena Williams steps onto the court, everyone pays attention to her. Now he commands the identical respect in boardrooms. By Serena Venturesdoesn’t invest only in start-ups; is revolutionizing the VC game.
With over 60 firms in her portfolio, Williams doesn’t just write checks – she modifies lives. In 2022, she raised a staggering $111 millionbut here’s the most effective part: it’s focused on founders who’ve been marginalized previously. From beauty disruptors to ed-tech innovators, Williams embraces diversity. And let me inform you, this bet is paying off.
Remember when Allyson Felix and Nike had that public spat? Instead of letting this derail her, Felix tied his shoelaces and jumped right into entrepreneurship. Enter Saysh, its originator within the sports footwear space.
This isn’t one other celebrity brand. Felix saw a niche available in the market – athletic shoes designed for women’s feet, not only smaller versions of men’s shoes – and rushed to fill it. Thanks to Series A funding of $8 million Saish it is not only a brand; this statement. Felix says, “If you don’t give us what we need, we will create it ourselves.”
Renee Montgomery: Changing the sport from the owner’s box
Renee Montgomery not only retired from the WNBA, but additionally stepped up. As co-owner of the Atlanta Dream team, she not only initiates actions – she initiates decisions that affect the complete league.
This move isn’t only historic; it’s revolutionary. Montgomery’s transition from player to owner is like going from reading a book to writing it. She’s not only in the sport; it changes how it’s played, who can play it, and who advantages from it.
Let’s not beat across the bush – the road to entrepreneurial success is steep, especially for black women. The ProjectDiane 2022 report exposed the ugly truth: Black women founders received a paltry 0.27% of total enterprise capital investment in 2018-2019. It’s like running a marathon in cement shoes.
But that is where athletes shine – they are used to defying adversity. Take Candace Parker. Not only did she collaborate with Adidas; she signed a contract for her own signature line, and to top it off she even became president Adidas women’s basketball. In a world where female athletes in statement shoes are as rare as unicorns, Parker doesn’t just play the sport – she modifies the consequence.
There can be Nneka Ogwumike – WNBA star, Adidas athlete and trade union president. He’s not only fighting for higher pay on the court, he’s fighting for equality within the boardroom and leading the best way within the media. Her moves are a masterclass in harnessing athletic prowess for long-lasting results.
It’s not nearly individual success stories. It’s about making a plan for the following generation. Young athletes watching these women don’t just dream of gold medals – they imagine constructing an empire.
Ripple effect
When these athletes-turned-entrepreneurs make waves, they do not just disrupt industries, they transform them. They prove that skills honed over years of sports discipline – resilience, strategic considering, teamwork – are invaluable within the business world.
Their success isn’t just personal; it is common. By breaking into spaces traditionally closed to them, they open doors for others to follow. They don’t just construct firms; they create a legacy that can outlast any sporting record.
The impact of those women goes far beyond balance sheets and financial results. They change narratives, challenge stereotypes and redefine leadership. In this fashion, they not only change the foundations of the sport – they create a very recent field of activity.
As we glance to the long run, one thing is evident: the following generation of game changers won’t just appear on our screens and stadiums. They will serve on our boards, lead progressive firms and spearhead social change. They can even have the chance to thank the pioneers, athletes-turned-entrepreneurs, for showing them that the trail to victory doesn’t end after they leave the court – it is just just starting.
ASKRS> Keke Palmer
Time is now for essentially the most fashionable moments in celebrity between Fashion Week, a season of prizes and magazine covers. Meanwhile, some glances required a full GLAM team once we finished a month and Valentine’s Day, sleeping hair and romantic manicures are still strong.
For example Black flexible headband. With an analogous volume Honey Afro Janet Jackson was entwined with a red gel manicure to enhance the golden accents. Then the model Alva Claire attended Baft in a fragile UPDO, which combined her curved, thin eyebrows and a blue-winged insert.
Makeup Artist Dee Carrion was chargeable for the golden lips and teeth in the quilt. Then Coco Jones’s hair was soaked in water – glass lids and lips added to the appearance. As for TEMS? The shiny French manicure was cherry on its siren and hot chocolate gloss.
And those that participated within the NAACP rewards didn’t come either. Keke Palmer has turn into viral not only due to touching speech of “Artist of the Year”, but additionally due to her to knock out beauty: elegant red hair and gothic makeup makeup.
Sheryl Lee Ralph was on her “suit and draw” that night. Saisha Beecham Saisha Beecham worked on shiny magic, as she put it, “Sixty Fine” within the years. Finally, the hair artist Larry Sims gave the Gabrielle Union museum by some means Bobów. He wrote within the signature “It gives a film star”. And we couldn’t agree more.
If you missed this, take a look at the very best moments of beauty from the week.
“At that time we only had acrylic,” Angie Aguirre says Essence, who puts ESPY-Jones in the primary episode. “We didn’t have a number of things we have today.” Starting the series, in honor of the Black History of the month, Aguirre, nail artist Sha’carri Richardson, resembles a black story for extremely long nails-at the identical time spreading techniques from the past.
From memories of curved acrylics on Flo Jo of the Eighties to the red manicure in Donn Summer, and even the nail of Stiletto from the Nineteen Thirties about Queen Nenzim from the Democratic Republic of Congo, manicure for construction has a wealthy history hidden behind every decorating extension.
Using the attention shadows as a substitute of the airbrush machine (which within the Nineteen Nineties was a big, loud pedal machine), she recreated one of the vital popular styles that has since appeared today as a preferred look.
Often appropriated in popular culture long, loud nails are historically called “ghetto” as an offensive statement after they wear black women. Meanwhile, they are sometimes seen as fashionable after they wear white celebrities.
“We usually set up trends [and] People kick, “says Aguirre within the film while painting about traditional nail art visible within the Nineteen Nineties.” When pop culture gets it, they change what they want to be like that. ” However, “black women wore these nails long before social media.”
Now that the nail industry is to succeed in USD 36.27 billion until 2032Aguirre explains the influence that black women have on beauty and what the longer term of those historical manicures will seem like. “Nail game has become very innovative,” he says, with latest products reminiscent of Gel-X. “[It’s] It is very different from what was during the day. “
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images
On Monday, at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills A Who’s Who of New Stars, Hot Talent and Legends was at hand to honor the best in black talent on the screen for the American Black Film Festival awards. Honores for the Night to Aaron Pierre, who received the Rising Star award (while the crowd sang: “Aaron Pierre, to Mufasaaaa”), Essence Black Women in Hollywood Honree Marla Gibbs, who received the Hollywood Legacy award, Keke Palmer caught the Renaissan prize. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor received the same honor for girls.
Many people got here out to have fun, including presenters Ava DuverNay, Anthony Mackie, Boots Riley, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Regina King. But in Hollywood there have been many stars and massive names, which also got here out with their partners to enjoy the annual event. They began a blue rug with sweet PDA and good vibrations, able to enjoy an important night.
From Larenz Tate and Tomasina’s wife to Dondre Whitfield and Salla Richardson Whitfield, Loretta Devine and husband Glenn Marshall, Lance and Rebecca Gross, and newlyweds Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony Davis, Love was in the air. (Another essence of black women in Hollywood Honore, Teyana Taylor, was a supporting Aaron Pierre there, and there are rumors that these two enjoy their company, which, for which we’re here.) More couples appeared to this event than since the prize season. Scroll to see and feel all love.
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Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Sophia Rose McDowell
Los Angeles, California – 17 February: Kelvin Harrison Jr. And Sophia Rose McDowell take part in the seventh annual American Festival Black Film Festival in SLS Hotel, the luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
02
Loretta Devine and Glenn Marshall
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Loretta Devine and Glenn Marshall attend the seventh annual awards of the American Black Film Festival in the SLS Hotel, luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
03
Yvette Nicole Brown and Anthony Davis
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Anthony R. Davis and Yvette Nicole Brown participate in the seventh annual American festival Black Film Festival in SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
04
Salli Richardson Whitfield and Dondre Whitfield
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Salla Richardson Whitfield and Dondre Whitfield are collaborating in the seventh annual American Black Film Festival festival in SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
05
Founders of ABFF Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Nicole Friday and Jeff Friday take part in the seventh annual American Black Film Festival festival in the SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
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Lance Gross and Rebecca Gross
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Lance Gross and Rebecca Gross attend the seventh annual Arman Black Film Festival awards in the SLS Hotel, the luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
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Lenengreen dies and Tomasinain Frig
Los Angeles, California – February 17: Larenz Tate and Tomasina Parrott attend the seventh annual awards of the American Black Film Festival in the SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
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Charles D. King and Stacey Walker King, founder and CBO Macro Media Company
Los Angeles, California-17 February: Stacey Walker-King and Charles D. King take part in the seventh annual American Black Film Festival festival in SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Kayla oaddams/wireimage)
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Michael Jai White and Gillian White
Los Angeles, California – February 17: (LR) Michael Jai White and Gillian White take part in the seventh annual Honorary American Festival Black Film at SLS Hotel, a luxury collection hotel, Beverly Hills on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, Kalifornia. (Photo Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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WME COO Dan Limerick and Dawn Limerick
Los Angeles, California – February 17: (LR) Dawn Limerick and Dan Limerick, COO, WME take part in the seventh annual Honorary Film Film Film Film Film Film at SLS Hotel, Hotel Luxury Collection, Beverly Hills February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Chris Spencer and Vanessa Spencer
Vanessa Spencer, Chris Spencer during the seventh annual American Black Film Festival festival, which took place at the SLS Hotel on February 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo of Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
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Teyana Taylor and Aaron Pierre
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