According to Forbes.com, from July 2006 – July 2007 there are 10 African Americans that made major bank, there are some surprises, but more surprising is who didn’t make the list.
#1. Oprah Winfrey – $260 million
#2. Tiger Woods – $100 million
#3. Jay-Z – $83 million
#4. 50 Cent – $33 million
#5. Kobe Bryant – $33 million
#6. Shaquille O’Neal – $32 million
#7. Michael Jordan – $31 million
#8. Will Smith – $31 million
#9. Beyonce – $27 million
#10. LeBron James – $27 million

Ok at this point everyone knows Oprah tops not only this list, but most list that include money go-getters. But every time I read the numbers she’s making it’s crazy motivation for me. So here they are, at last check she was worth $2.5 billion, and the $260 million is annual, yeah the average out to about $712,000 a day. So are you motivated too?

Tiger Woods was no surprise either, he’s been at it for most of his life and anytime you combine hard work, dedication and persistence its hard to lose. At 15 he was quoted as saying, “I’m not out just to be the best black player. I want to be the best golfer ever”. Making $100 million, made him the wealthiest athlete of all time. So there you have it.

I’ll be getting to 50 in a following post, but you’ve got to love the 1, 2 punch of Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Carter, with a household income of $110 million, what, how crazy is that? How many dudes can tell they partner, man my girl made what you made last year? Love, Love that couple.

MJ must’ve had a hellava agent because he’s in the ranks after being retired for how many years now? and his wife taking half. That’s some great negotiations while your on top of your game.

A couple honorable mentions include; Dwight Freeney, of the Indianapolis Colts, became the highest-paid defensive player receiving $30 million. Boxer Floyd Mayweather, collected $50 million. Both of which was collected after the deadline.

I’m surprised Mr. Media, Diddy Combs isn’t listed and is Bob Johnson not considered Hollywood because he has much moola right? I also thought Tyler was in the running but maybe that’s next years list. I wonder if once on the list, is it a goal of these celebs to make it the next year? Just wondering.

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For the last two years and two months former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell has called the Federal Penitentiary home, but after serving Atlanta for eight years he was charged in March 2006 with racketeering and bribery charges, even though he was acquitted of them he was convicted of tax evasion. It had been long stated, on the hush of course, that the bidding process on business projects were rigged in City Hall and the only way to win a contract with the City of Atlanta was to slide Campbell some cash flow on the low. According to the gov-ment, Campbell received more than $160,000, mostly in cash and did not pay taxes on it. Yes that right, you have to pay taxes even on illegal money. He was sentenced to 30 months but after claiming he was an alcoholic, he qualified for the same substance abuse program that Mike Vick got short time for. But we all know Vick really was a weed head, Campbell on the other hand wasn’t, and when prosecutors found out he would be released in 22 months they protested like crazy. After they proved he was no alcoy, he was given 4 more months to serve.

But as of Friday, Campbell was a free man, well he still has a year probation. But since he is a convicted felon he’s no longer licensed to practice law so hopefully he stashed away some of them funds he accepted for a rainy day.

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Ok, everyone knows I fully support our rockstar presidential candidate, Barack Obama but even if I didn’t after reading his plans for assisting small business owners, I would have to change my mind. Besides John McCain still hasn’t said exactly what he would do differently, If I hear that speech about getting our economy going again, I’ll scream. He’s yet to say how. Obama on the other hand, has generated several plans on what he feels OUR economy needs to survive and below I detailed out what he’ll do to assist small business owners if, when he’s elected as the First Black President of the United States. So all you self-employed, entrepreneur, contractors whether full or part time business owners listen up and than go VOTE!

According to the Washington Post and Obama’s Small Business Rescue Plan:
Barack Obama has proposed a plan of tax cuts and loans for small businesses hurt by the current credit crisis. In recent months, two-thirds of U.S. banks have tightened their lending standards for loans to small businesses, thus thousands of small firms are unable to access the credit they need to pay workers, produce products, or finance inventories for the upcoming holidays, usually the most important sales season. And after supporting the recent $700 billion financial market rescue legislation to prevent a financial and economic catastrophe, he feels a temporary program is needed to help Main Street as a complement to what has already been done for Wall Street. The financial market rescue plan is designed to unfreeze credit which will indirectly benefit small businesses, Obama recognizes that small businesses need direct and immediate access to capital now, he feels his proposal of a $5 Billion Small Business Rescue, will do just that. Some key aspects to his plans are:

1. A Nationwide Emergency Lending Facility for Small Businesses, this one is a iffy for me because the SBA has a history of not granting loans to African Americans, so a revamping of that organization may have to take place for this to work properly. He’s requesting a Disaster Loan Program, which is
designed to offer affordable, fixed- rate loans to small firms to meet operating expenses, undertake needed short-term investments, or to refinance debt. Loans should be available on an expedited basis, so that firms can access the credit needed to meet their operating expenses immediately

2. Strengthen Small Business Programs Targeting Women, Service-Disabled Veterans, and Minorities:
he’ll strengthen programs that provide access to capital and contracting opportunities to minority- and women-owned businesses, implementing a contracting program to create greater opportunities to do business with the gov-ment: a program originally signed into law by my first fave President Bill Clinton, but has yet to be implemented by the Bush Administration.

3. Create a National Network of Public-Private Business Incubators: Business incubators facilitate the critical work of entrepreneurs in creating start-up companies. They offer help designing business plans, provide physical space, identify and address problems affecting all small businesses within a given community, and give advice on a wide range of business practices. He plans to invest $250 million per year to increase the number and size of incubators in disadvantaged communities throughout the country.

4. Cut Taxes for the Majority of Small Businesses: He believes that we need to reduce burdens on small business owners, many of whom are struggling to succeed in the midst of our economic crisis.
Unlike McCain, he propose direct tax cuts for small businesses, including zero capital gains for
investments in small businesses and a new 50% tax credit for businesses that offer health care to their
employees. Obama will provide a $1,000 Making Work Pay tax credit to 95 percent of workers and
their families, which will help individuals with small business income, including the country’s more than 20 million self-employed individuals. And because the Obama plan preserves existing tax rates for families making less than $250,000 a year, nearly 99 % of small business owners won’t see any tax increase under the his plan.
Check out www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/obamasmallbusinessrescueplan.pdf to get more details on his plan of action.

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In a statement released last week, the gov-ment is pretty much begging taxpayers to take money off their hands. They are holding on to $163 million in stimulus checks and $103 million in tax refund checks, thus approximately 383,000 taxpayers are missing out on some much needed cash flow. It seems the address the IRS mailed the checks to were incorrect and need updating. If you moved after filing your tax return, you have to contact the IRS to change your address, gov-ment checks are not forwarded regardless of whether you have a change of address form with the post office or not. I know in these times, it seems highly unlikely that anybody would leave money floating around but normally the IRS gets stuck holding checks when an incorrect address is given or there’s a divorce, child support or other court issues. There are several ways to fix this little problem and to get your check in the mail. You can simply call 1-866-829-1954 or visit www.irs.gov or “Where’s my Refund” or “Where’s My Stimulus”.
There is a deadline for the stimulus checks, November 28, 2008 because by law they have to mailed by December 31, 2008, the average check is $583 and the average tax refund check is $988. So get that money.

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Word on the street is that by Mike Vick accepting a plea with the state of Virginia for the same dog fighting charges he’s already serving time for he could be getting out as early as early next year. Making him ready to play by next season. I know one thing I sure hope so! I know Arthur Blanks says he doesn’t want him back as a Falcon but I don’t believe him. Vick brought too attention and money to a losing team, it’s estimated that the Falcons are worth $730 million. I agree with the masses that he isn’t the brightest athlete, maybe the sexiest, but I mean who risk millions, his contract for the Falcons alone was $130 million for 10 years, numerous endorsements and a signing bonus for $37 million, The Falcons tried to get back $20 million of that but was told no way, Vick gets to keep it simply because the man did play five seasons and he earned it, but who risk so much on loser friends and dog fighting. Come on, I know VA is not the biggest state but I’m sure there’s more to do there than torture animals.

As far as being in playing conditions, he been playing in football in the slammer, and we all know street ballers and as good if not better than professionals. According to Arthur Blanks, who Vick’s been writing, I’m sure to beg for forgiveness, since he been in the FED, he wash dishes for $.12 and hour and play ball to pass time, and to be fair he quarterbacks for both teams. Which is wise cause he don’t want to make them criminals hurt him bout losing a game of touch football. Can you imagine I bet those dudes are on top of the world, being able to play ball with Vick that’s crazy. Anywho, I’m keeping my fingers and toes crossed that he’s out soon.

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Richard Pryor is “The King of Comedy” in my household, my son swear he’s a comedian and is crazy about Richard Pryor, I had to literately hide “Live On the Sunset Strip” from him, it was ridiculous he wouldn’t stop watching it. I mean seriously how many times can a person die laughing at the exact same jokes, really? Anywho, although he left us with a legacy of memories and funny movies, he also had drama with the tax man and is this week’s tax situation breakdown.

Richard Pryor had a tumultuous career that included selling comedy albums, acting, writing and performing stand up. The history of is career is inspiring yet saddening, he was a brilliant and confused man, that brought joy to many but just could not overcome his own personal demons. He had a different upbringing than most, his grandmother owned a string of brothels, his mother prostituted, and his father was a pimp but still, they raised him to be honest, polite, and religious.

After starting his comedy career being safe and imitating comedians like Bill Cosby, he snapped at a Vegas show, and walked off stage in the middle of his act. It wasn’t the comedian he wanted to be, he went underground and played only small black clubs. But his prior works had earned him enough to be in the scope of the IRS, and in 1974 he was convicted of tax evasion for not filing taxes from 1967 – 1970 and spent 10 days in jail. By the late 60s, he had a $100 a day cocaine habit, he told the judge he forgot to pay and the judge replied next time you won’t forget.
The amount he owed or repaid has not been disclosed. But after serving his time, Pryor being the ultimate entertainer went back and gave a benefit concert for 300 inmates in the jail. One of my fave quotes from Richard Pryor is: “I believe the ability to think is blessed. If you can think about a situation, you can deal with it. The big struggle is to keep your head clear enough to think”. Check out www.richardpryor.com for more on his legacy and to hear his comedy.

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It may come to surprise you just how involved the IRS is in everything that goes on. The BET Hip Hop Awards was held in Atlanta this weekend and plenty celebs came through to celebrate. Check out the red carpet (or black carpet) whichever you prefer, pics below.For entertainers award show are highlights in their careers, they get recognition for all the hard work they put into their craft, their fans get to see them all dolled up, and of course they party like crazy at the after parties. But another plus for award show has been the goodies celebs receive for presenting or performing at the show. These Gift Bags are given by the organization as a Thank You, and they can sometimes be worth as much as $100,000. They fill them with trips, designer clothes, jewelry and the latest gadgets, like ipods, cell phones , you name it, it could be included in the bags, all for the FREE FREE.

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The daughters of Rev Run, have parlayed their newly found wealth into another gig. Angela & Vanessa Simmons, creators of “Pastry” a female athletic shoe line will be followed as they travel from Los Angeles to NewYork handling business, they’re trying to evolve the teen friendly line into a more grown up, young adult brand. Both ladies have blossomed into fullfledged entrepreneurs us followers of Run’s House saw these ladies turn and idea into a million dollar business overnight it seems. Vanessa stated they came up with the idea while trailing their father to trade shows trying to market his Run Athletics merchandise. They realized their were no athletic shoes geared toward fashion forward females and first approached their father who advised them to create a plan and than pitch the idea to their rich uncle Russell Simmons (The Godfather of Hip Hop), who could more than afford to finance a small business for his nieces, thus born “Pastry”. It must be nice to have millionaire relatives you could borrow a little something from, how can you not succeed? Even with the backing of their father and uncle, the girls stated they still have to put in major work to make the company a success because of their connections people expect otherwise. By December 2007, less than a year after debuting, it was reported the shoes sold more than $15 million, making these ladies millionaires and proving to their family, they were worth the risk. Look out for the new products being added to their line, pastry boots, handbags and apparel. Love, love, love these girls!!

Check out pics from their 1 year anniversary of “Pastry”

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Say it ain’t so, Is Evander really broke? or just playing that game the wealthy play to keep what little money they have left. They’ll move to Florida and file bankrutpcy in a heartbeat. Florida’s laws arer much more lenient than other states, when it come to filing bankrutcpy, foreclosures, repo and paying off financial judgments. Too bad for “The Real Deal” he built a 54,000 square feet house in Fayetteville, that’s almost 1¼ acres of house. Well I’m sure maintaining it, is what has happen to all that money he made knocking fools out. Well the house, his 11 children, 3 wives and countless baby mama didn’t help either. Ok let’s do the math, let me warn you the numbers are staggering and it’s crazy to me how a person can have sooo much dinero and then less than 10 years later have financial difficulties as he put it.

Evander grossed over $248 million in his career, From 1996-99, he made $107 million but that was around the same time he was playing games with his second wife, Janice, talking bout he couldn’t remember whether they were still sleeping together or not, ya ok. And since he married her on a whim with no prenup she took at least half of that $107 million. Do you remember now, Champ? When he built his legacy, it cost $1.2 million a year just to live in water, power, security, housekeepers, gatekeepers and lawn edging, that was in 1997, so we’ll just double that figure today. There’s no way he’s still paying what he paid 11 years ago. I’m sure he’s paying alimony for his other two wives, and people I couldn’t even come up with the number of baby mamas but I know he’s still getting their hair and nails did. Well except for the one that’s reporting all this. She’s pissed and if he doesn’t come up with thousands by Friday he’s going to jail. Holyfield has 10 other children, and it’s believed his child support payments are at least $500,000 annually. He’s tried a couple businesses that failed and is being sued for $550,000 by a landscaping company, at the same time he’s 45 years old and not has capable of drawing a payday fight for megabucks. His last big payday was in 2003 for $5 million, where he loss. So all this equals why he’s still trying to fight at 45 years old. But I guess the one good thing is that the IRS hasn’t added their name to the list of collectors so I guess he at least paid his accountant.

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