As part of ArtSoul Radio’s 365 Initiative to support Black & BIPOC-owned businesses throughout the year, this is a story worth reviewing.

In 2009, Venus and Serena Williams became minority owners of the Miami Dolphins, making them the first Black women to own an NFL franchise. Since then, the growth of their investment has been remarkable. In 2009, the Dolphins were valued at 1 billion dollars. By 2023, 14 years later, the Miami Dolphins were valued at 4.6 billion dollars.

Despite the fact that 70% of the league’s players are Black, the majority of NFL ownership remains white. However, Venus and Serena became the first Black women to own an NFL team, creating a pathway for others to follow. Following their lead, Mellody Hobson became the third Black woman to become a minority team owner in 2022. Lewis Hamilton and Condoleezza Rice joined the list when they purchased a stake in the Denver Broncos. In 2023, Magic Johnson became a minority owner of the Washington Commanders.

Venus and Serena Williams are true trailblazers! Forbes reported in 2022 that Venus was the second highest-paid female athlete. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins, in partnership, is not only changing the investment landscape but also breaking barriers both on and off the court.

Their success in business complements their legendary status in tennis. Their investment in the Miami Dolphins is just one example of how they are reshaping the investment landscape. It’s inspiring to see them use their platform and influence to make an impact beyond tennis!

With their track record, their investment is bound to yield excellent results. It’s only a matter of time before we see the first Black majority owner of an NFL team.

Tori Kelly was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital on Sunday after collapsing, reportedly due to blood clots in her legs and lungs, penned a letter posted to social media on Thursday. Fans have been sending prayers and words of encouragement since hearing the news. Not much has been released regarding any updates on her health until today. She said she’s “feeling stronger now and hopeful, but unfortunately there are still some things to uncover.” She also shared her love and appreciation to fans for all of the love and care they have been sending her way.

The Grammy Award winning singer included the words “Deuteronomy 31:8” as the sole line written in the description of her post today as she began to pen a letter letting everyone know the updates on her health. This line references a Bible verse which reads in full as saying: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. … Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

She began her letter speaking directly to her fans saying,

“Hi friends, as you may have heard, I’m dealing with some unexpected health challenges,” after reportedly passing out while out to dinner with friends. “It’s been a scary few days but I can feel your prayers… I’m feeling stronger now and hopeful but unfortunately there are still some things to uncover. I’m so grateful for the amazing doctors and nurses who have been looking after me.”

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Kelly continues her letter saying,

“I’m heartbroken about all of the things I had planned for this week of the releasing of my EP, but I know my health must come first. Until I see you again, I still want you to enjoy a project that represents the happy place I’ve been in the last few years. I won’t let this hurdle prevent the music from being yours this Friday! I love you all so much and I am truly overwhelmed by all of the love and care I have received. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Tori Kelly’s Husband Extends Gratitude to Fans & Asks For Continued Prayers

Tori Kelly’s husband, André Murillo, is thanking her fans for their support in the aftermath of her hospitalization. Murillo — who is a professional German basketball player — extended a message of gratitude to the singer’s fans in a post shared on his Instagram story on July 26.

Murillo — who is a professional German basketball player — extended a message of gratitude to the singer’s fans in a post shared on his Instagram story on July 26 saying,

“Tori is smiling again and feeling stronger. Not fully out of the woods, but we see the sun. Just waiting on a few more answers. Your love and kindness has been overwhelming. Thank you so much!”

No other updates have been given at this time. But, we know for certain that we and her fans will all continue to pray for Tori Kelly and her family until she is well again.

A new report recently released stating that Tyler Perry is ready to take over the cable channel BET. But has this “report” been confirmed as a fact? This is the question that has been buzzing around social media lately. This is what we know so far:

In the last few months, Tyler Perry, Diddy, Byron Allen (owner of The Grio and The Weather Channel), 50 Cent and others have all expressed an interest in buying the network after the announcement that Paramount is currently exploring selling the network along with their intentions of placing the network under Black ownership.

Currently, out of everyone who has expressed an interest in the network, Tyler Perry’s desire to own BET has been getting the most attention in recent days. This could be due to the recent report published by the media outlet Streamr (which was later removed from their platform) along with the resurfacing of an interview that Tyler did with Entertainment Tonight in April of this year.

In April, Entertainment Tonight asked Tyler a key question, “Why would something like this be so important to you?”

Tyler replied… “I’ve read about Byron Allen, Puffy and everyone wanting to bid, and I think it’s really great! This is what I love about it. When Bob Johnson sold it in 2000 I think it was, there wasn’t one Black person who could buy it. So, now to see all of these Black people… [both] men and women who are able to be in a position to buy it, man that makes me feel really really really excited!” – Tyler Perry

During that same interview in April, when asked about the time frame of a resolution for this deal, Tyler Perry responded light-heartedly saying, “It could be later rather than sooner…later or yesterday, today, tomorrow, next month, 6 years, etc.” After some banter, Tyler firmly stated the following: “We can very much say there are conversations, I am beyond interested and there will be a resolution in 20-two years.”

As we can see, the humor never ends with Tyler. So, while his interest is certain, the confirmation of the finalization of this deal has not yet been shared. We are standing by for a final word on this from Paramount and Tyler Perry himself.

FOX 5 NEWS ATLANTA CONFIRMS TYLER HAS NOT MADE DEAL OFFICIAL

[Update] According to @fox5atlanta , @uproxx, @okayplayer , 11Alive.com and more, Paramount, BET and Tyler Perry have yet to confirm or deny the report that Tyler has made the deal to take over BET official. In addition, journalists such as Philip Lewis (who is also the Senior editor of the Huffington Post) was one of the first to start a viral twitter thread speaking about the challenges with influencers and blog sites citing situations as real news without any confirmed sourcing or accountability vs journalistic news sites who have to hold to specific standards for news confirmation remaining the standard. Phillip along with a number of journalists discussed the pitfalls that exist in today’s media ecosystem, as laid out in a brief Twitter thread here.

The Tyler Perry buying BET “report” is not a largely consequential thing but it is worth pointing out what separates news outlets from blogs and the like: corrections

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 13, 2023

The Streamr simply pulled down the original report: no correction, or explanation or anything. Several blogs have done the same, or just left the story up. They’re under no obligation to do so

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) June 13, 2023

Right. And this is why we say every website isn't producing real journalism and everyone who posts a story isn't a journalist.

— Nicquel Terry Ellis (@NTerryEllis) June 13, 2023

the crazy thing to me is is that everybody is congratulating him I'm not about being a hater at all but it wasn't even an official press release from @bet

— Braylon Rayvon Lee (@BrayBray27) June 13, 2023

Fox News Atlanta carried the same sentiments with their recent article release saying,
“Congratulations are pouring in for Tyler Perry after news reports that the media mogul successfully acquired BET and VH1, making him the first African American to own two major television networks … except, no one knows if it actually happened.”

In April, Entertainment Tonight asked Tyler directly what his plans were for the BET Network. His desire was clearly expressed. He wants to own as much of the network as possible.

What Would This Deal Do To the Entertainment Network and Black Talent Within the Industry?

Judging by the response from this currently unconfirmed news going viral today online, BET fans would highly approve of Tyler’s ownership of the network! Until we hear a final confirmation on this news, it looks as though Tyler Perry, Diddy, Byron Allen and many others may all still be in the runnings to lock in this deal. If this is the current status, the good news is that once it’s all done, BET Networks will be under Black Owned leadership; and that’s something to celebrate!

Watch as Byron Allen explains the importance of BET Networks being under Black leadership.

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