Business and Finance
Midnight Comics represents Blerds and more

Lloyd S. Jones III and Natosha F. Jones are the husband-and-wife co-owners of Midnight Comics. Midnight Comics is a black-owned company that represents “marginalized characters of color from all walks of life.” The company arrange shop as “Atlanta’s first and largest black, family-owned, independent comic book and manga company.”
BLACK ENTREPRENEURSHIP I spoke with the Joneses in regards to the comic book business and manga publishing. Natosha and Lloyd are self-proclaimed Blerds who were introduced to comics, anime, manga, and poetry at a young age. The introduction to mainstream content like popular anime led to Lloyd creating manga in highschool, and Natosha began exploring writing as a young adult. Their relationship is a pair made in heaven Blerdwhich created an area for dual creativity and the start of a publishing empire. The Joneses talk in regards to the trials and errors that helped them navigate the journey from artists to successful fundraisers and business owners.
You are each creative. When you made the choice to publish comics and manga, what were your first steps?
Lloyd: We asked, “How can we effectively create as much story and content as possible that won’t break the bank?” So we created an anthology series called , where we showcased 4 of our titles directly.
Now that we have introduced the several products, let’s hand them over to the audience and allow them to resolve what direction they wish to go next or what they would love to see next.
What have you ever learned in regards to the business side of publishing?
Natosha: We recently accomplished a business course. We learned a lot in regards to the business side. The intricacies of overhead, budgeting, employees, grants and loans. All those little things that you simply don’t take into consideration, especially while you’re really creative and really need to do all of the creative stuff.
Do you’ve got external investors?
Natosha: Kickstarter was great. It was the important avenue for crowdfunding. This is the just one we principally use. Our fans love these stories, so each time someone throws them out, these returning people are available in, boom, it’s funded.

Tell us about your most successful Kickstarter campaign.
Lloyd: The Grey and Adami Kickstarter campaign was supported by more than 100 people.
Prices in Seoul were different. So I feel financially Seoul did higher. When it involves the variety of supporters, what we pay essentially the most attention to is the number of latest and returning supporters, because now’s the chance to ask them to the page and showcase other stories.
How do you price your product?
Natosha: Even though we’re independent, Marvel and DC are still direct competition.Let’s take a look at their page count; what number of are there and how much of them are dedicated to promoting?
In the 24-page Marvel and DC book there are 10 pages of ads that cost $5. We can have a one-page website with promoting. But the remainder of our books are on average 32 pages, so we’ll charge $10 because you may get so many more stories from us. The more stories, the more individuals are interested.
Of course, we also keep in mind independent corporations and their rates. What are our overhead costs? What is, what’s going to our profit margin seem like?
What platforms do you sell on besides your personal MidnightComics.org?
Lloyd: Nova Tunes and Global Comics; our stuff is accessible there. We are also at Nubian Bookstore in Morrow, Georgia. TThey have your complete catalog except manga.
Seoul might be our biggest sales hit. But right behind it’s The Grey.

Have there been any unexpected obstacles in your path? How Have you looked through them?
Lloyd: Our first artist spoiled us with the worth and services they offered. They did all the pieces. When we got into the standard comics side of things, it was a little bit more in-depth when it comes to the business. Somehow we missed that typically there is a penciler, an inker, a colorist, and then a letterer.
How does it affect production while you realize someone isn’t coping and you’ve got to alter your approach?
Lloyd: We had to alter artists several times. Aboutnone of them decided to alter the worth at the tip of production. They said. “Oh, by the way, my price went up. Others had some criticisms of the story that were more racist. They felt that the villain was essentially purported to be a foul guy.
Now we are going to discuss each book individually.
Do these experiences change the recruitment process or contracts?
Lloyd: Lots has modified. We ask People first ask, “Have you worked with this guy?” Someone who has worked with them before told us what it was like from start to complete.
We also look for somebody who’s committed and knows the stories. We don’t just look for a way well they draw, but how committed and knowledgeable they’re about these items.
Are you currently conducting any fundraising activities?
Natosha: We were just a part of an enormous collaboration that’s coming to an end on Kickstarter, Epiphany Engine. Gathered over 40 comic book publishers.
Lloyd: This is, dare we are saying, the best black comics collaboration in history.We have raised $52,000 for this project, and we are going to likely raise several thousand more by the point it’s accomplished.
Is there anything you prefer to to say to the BE audience?
Lloyd: If you are attempting to get into anything, really, just do it. You’ll never know all the pieces. Be open; there will probably be closed doors, but there will probably be just as many open doors at the identical time. If there is a need and you suspect you possibly can fulfill them, then fulfill them.
Business and Finance
Live Nation plans to improve the Atlanta Center with an investment $ 5 billion

Live Nation Entertainment invests in its portfolio of real estate, committing to a plan value $ 5 billion to update the center of Atlanta about the district of the stadium.
The live entertainment company plans to rent a spot for 5,300 places at the Centenary Shipyard in Atlanta. Currently developed next to State Farm Arena and the Mercedes-Benz stadium, a mixed megaproject costs $ 5 billion.
According to Live Nation Will cooperate with sports teams and real estate programmers on the undertaking. The owner of Atlanta Hawks, Tony Ressler, whose team is playing at the arena, and his brother Richard Resssler, the owner of a CIM programming company, have already began introducing the project to realization.
“The fact that Live Nation decided to be in the center of Atlanta is a great matter,” said the co-founder and director of CIM, Shaul Kuba. “We are creating a completely new market in Atlanta, which did not really exist before.”
It focuses on stadiums as a central element. However, the inclusion of Live Nation will ensure readiness and skill to bring artists from the list A in the center of Atlanta. His concert place will turn into one in every of the largest live internal theaters.
While the project guarantees to help the city of a fighting in the city center, economists don’t seem to sell in the neighborhood model at the stadium. Opposes experts say that projects use taxpayers’ funds to reverse expenditure from the community to the latest stadium.
Reflection of the city itself, the center of Atlanta (*5*)it stays variedAccording to black people, they constitute 48% of his population, according to. However, his financial and residential slowdown, escalated during a pandemic, makes him a brand new trial place for stadium districts.
Until now, the centenary has made slow progress due to approval, permits and partnerships of city officials. In the case of only $ 1.3 billion in his budget, he has 162 apartments, brewery and pavements established in the area.
However, for the World Championships in 2026, a team of programmers hopes to complete a 304-unique apartment complex, together with hotels, restaurants and retail trade. In addition, he hopes to construct an addictive bar from cinema-sports, which might fit 1,500 participants.
In addition to investing in the creation of space in the center of Atlanta, Live Nation also plans to add 20 more places to its portfolio until 2026. He hopes to play an vital role in the developing entertainment industry and real estate in sport.
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Business and Finance
The company supported by Aliko Dangot acquires POLLMAN Kenya trips
Africa Travel Investments, concentrated company acquired Pollman’s trips and safari, the oldest organizer of Kenya trips. The agreement emphasizes the numerous trust of Private Equity in the long run of the Kenya tourist sector, a key factor contributing to the national economy.
The Competition Office in Kenya (CAK) previously approved the takeover of Africa Travel Investments in the quantity of 100% of the Pollman’s issued share capital.
Pursuant to the CAK statement: “In relation to the proposed transaction, after merger, the share in the integrated entity’s market will not change, because the goal and the buyer is not in a similar company, and therefore this will not affect the structure and concentration of markets for tour operators in Kenya.”
This takeover occurs after the February investment of Alterra Capital, the Private Equity fund supported each by Danglot, the richest person in Africa, together with chairman Dangot Cement, together with the American billionaire Dave Rubenstein, on the ARP Africa Travel Group, Pollman’s mother company. According to CAK, connection won’t be going to affect A competitive landscape of the concert market in Kenya, including the obligatory focus of adventure and abundant safari.
The regulatory authority also determined that the acquisition won’t be going to adversely affect the employment or competitiveness of smaller firms contained throughout the industry.
CAK said: “The office also stated that the contract does not pose a threat to jobs or competitiveness to small companies, two of the key fears related to the law to Kenya. The parties indicated that they would not cause any losses of employment from the takeover.”
According to the Nigerian tycoon, it’s value $ 23.2 billion. Vast business empire dangot Include Dangote Cement, a serious cement producer on the continent with operations covering 10 African nations. His investments also include the production of fertilizers in Nigeria and the recently operational refinery of Dangot.
The acquisition of Pollman by the entity supported by Danggot signals diversification to the promising tourism market in Kenya.
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Business and Finance
Fenty joins forces with New York Liberty
Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin Rihanny transferred their WNBA partnership to the subsequent level, concluding a brand recent contract with the prevailing masters, New York Liberty, to point into an official sponsor of the band’s makeup and sweetness sponsor – announcement on May 7.
According to whom Rihanna gave an exclusive interview After the partnership is announced, the offer means the first Fenta trip in business with WNBA. It will likely be They entail the Fenty logo on the good and comfortable -up jackets before playing the team and shooting the sleeves, along with some activations contained throughout the sphereD Moments of discovering the product.
“I have always said that makeup is to have fun, express myself. This should reflect the atmosphere, a moment, personality – whatever you want. I am excited, seeing how amazing women from New York Liberty put the faces of the game and I am proud that they have fenta beauty and fasting skin this season,” said Rihanna.
https://twitter.com/fentyheadlines/status/192012387318405353?s=19
Freedom also probably comprises the suitable mascot in all sports and The most recognizable and dense WNBAEllie The Elephant and Pachyderm coded in a black woman will likely be an infinite a component of activation contained throughout the sphere and other promotions which is able to emphasize cooperation between the team and the Fenty Beauty and Skin Rihanna line.
As Shana Stevenson, director of the Liberty brand, said with reference to the mascot of the Liberty brand, Ellie represents the position of Liberty in Brooklyn and the energy of the district on the extent that does several other mascots.
“The person we know today as Ellie interrogated during this open interrogation, and simply surprised us with his talent and interpretation of Ellie,” Stephenson reminded the shop. “It was so different, so fresh, so harsh. And we said:” This is our person. ” And I also felt a very New York, very Brooklyn in a way we didn’t see before. “
Keia Clarke, General Director of New York Liberty, expressed the band’s emotions from sponsorship with Rihanna’s cosmetic brands. Clarke believes that Fenty and the team divide values paying homage to supporting women and celebrating individuality.
“New York freedom is excited about working with Fenty Beauty-Pioneer, which shares our values of supporting women and celebrating individuality, authenticity and confidence. Adaptation with similarly thinking brands allows us to provide significant connections and experiences that really resonate with our fans. Together we will include strengthening, courage and involvement in creativity,” said Clarke contained contained contained throughout the statement.
On the heels of the MET gala, which some Liberty players, paying homage to Jonquel Jones, Brenna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu, along with Rihanna herself, Rihanna mentioned her faith that New York is perfectly embodded by the Liberty team In a press release.
“There is no energy and spirit like New York,” Rihanna said in an announcement. “Women from New York Liberty are an example of such beauty, power and strength, so Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin have become part of their journey this season, he is amazing. We are excited to cooperate with them to get the faces of the game.”
New York Liberty (T) Ellie The Elephan (T) Rihanna (T) Fenty Beauty
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