The 12,141-square-foot Royal Mansion residence at Atlantis The Royal Dubai will open to guests next month.​Looks like the crown jewel of Atlantis The Royal Dubai is Queen B–approved.
This past weekend, the lavish resort hosted a star-studded opening weekend that ended with a one-hour private concert from Beyoncé—who sparkled in $7.5 million worth of jewelry during the performance, which reportedly cost the hotel $24 million—and a spectacular firework display that could be seen from miles away. While the activities brought out A-listers such as Black Panther‘s Winston Duke, Kendall Jenner and Jay-Z, the real star of the show was the stunning Royal Mansion, the lush accommodation where the Renaissance singer resided during the extravaganza. And now you, too, can stay at the insane digs when the property officially opens next month—for $100,000 a night.

Upon your arrival, you’ll be chauffeured through the private entrance of the two-level four-bedroom penthouse. From there, feel free to roam around the 12,141-square-foot space, which includes a private white-and-gold-hued-foyer complete with 100-year-old olive trees and sky-high ceilings that allow an abundance of sunlight to entry the room. The residence is flush with modern details throughout, from the white-marble flooring to the terrace’s wood furnishings to the uniquely vivid chandeliers, that make the ultra-contemporary Royal Mansion feel just as its name suggests.

Not to be forgotten, the swanky four bedrooms, which hold three king-size and two queen-size beds, can accommodate up to nine people and come with their own exclusive Hermès bath products. The primary bedroom, found on the second level, has an en-suite bathroom facing the expansive terrace, so you can soak in the tub while taking in the sights. Don’t worry about checking in at the lobby: With your stay at the Royal Mansion, everything is completed in-room, so you jump right into relaxation. The personal butler service is also on call to cater to any and all your needs, along with 24-hour room service—just in case you get a late-night craving. And you can experience spa-like serenity without having to leave the massive penthouse, since you can choose to unwind in your personal steam room.
Outside, meanwhile, you can lounge in privacy on the 5,123-square-foot terrace that boasts sweeping views of Dubai’s skyline, as well as the Arabian Sea. To escape the city’s famous heat, you can dive into the glistening infinity pool to cool off. You can even choose to have your meals prepped in the outdoor kitchen or eat inside, thanks to the luxe 12-seat dining room. Back indoors, there’s also an entertainment room complete with a library and a bar, if you decide to keep the party at home.

And the hotel itself may be just as awe-inducing as its most luxurious suite. The 795-room property includes the largest jellyfish aquarium in the world, an insane water fountain that “breathes fire” and 17 different restaurants and bars for you to test out, including a few run by Michelin-star chefs.
Sounds like it may be time to plan your next trip to Dubai.
Rates for Atlantis The Royal’s penthouse suite start at $100,000 per night.

​Source: Robb Report

The big, red brick building down the road is where you get your groceries. You have to drive there, past the shiny chrome car dealership, turn left by the green gas station. The yellow fast-food place is your kids’ favorite. It’s in the same block as your grocery store. And that large brown building? That’s where you do your banking and keep your money.
But, as in the new book “The White Wall: How Big Finance Bankrupts Black America” by Emily Flitter (Atria/One Signal Publishers, October 2022), can you get that money out?

Some years ago, while covering her beat as a banking reporter for The New York Times, Flitter tried to follow a lead on a Black man who had been fired from his job at a major financial company. It turned out to be a weak lead, but along the way she met a lawyer who turned her toward a much bigger issue: racism in the financial industry.
Recent polls show that most Americans have no idea that a racial wealth gap exists in the United States. They know nothing about the Black/White gap in family wealth. Neither do they have a clue that Black families fared much worse than whites in the 2008 financial crisis, nor that Black families are struggling again in this post-Pandemic time.

​The truth is, racism thrives in banking institutions where, Flitter says, white bank employees often profile Black customers as “suspicious,” even when those customers have a paper trail of proof for their own money.
Black borrowers are often given inferior service and more wrong information. Flitter also found instances where skin color determined interest rates. Bank customers who are Black aren’t always offered the valuable perks that white customers get. Similarly, insurance companies are not servicing Black homeowners the same as they do white homeowners.

Not even Black business owners escape racism within the financial industry. Not to mention the proportionately low number of Black employees in those institutions, or the sparse number of high-level leaders.
Clearly, says Flitter, “Corporate America has a long way to go.”Pick up your copy of “The White Wall,” hold it tight, and make room on your lap for your jaw. It may be dropping a lot while you’re reading this shocking book.
Or maybe not.

What’s in this book may not be much of a surprise to readers who live this reality every day. Flitter has some words for those readers, starting with this: What you’ve experienced is no anomaly.
She also has words for Wall Street and every large business in the nation, devoting an entire chapter to ideas on how to do better by making financial services more accessible for Black Americans. There’s good news in Flitter’s final words on the ideas she puts forth, and that’s a happy start. But, judging by the many, many stories she shares, readers absolutely could be forgiven for any lingering pessimism.

“The White Wall,” Flitter’s debut book, is a powerful narrative about the demoralizing and dehumanizing actions of an industry that has yet to do away with redlining and other policies of the Jim Crow era (1877-1964) of legally enforced racial segregation.
Yet, the book is easy to read – and, hopefully, put to use – even for the busiest executive. With an essential message that shouts to be heard, it has the potential to create new consciousness.
To paraphrase Flitter, America’s financial system has a long way to go.

Source: The Network Journal

Ashley Little (Founder & Owner) ​- Creating Your Seat At The Table is a online and in print magazine. It was created with the Entrepreneur/ Authorpreneur/ Mompreneur in mind. It is important for us to create and build our own
​tables this international magazine will highlight people who are doing great things throughout the world. https://www.ashleylittleenterprises.com/creatingyourseatatthetablemagazine​

Dr Will Moreland (Founder & Owner) I-Dominate Magazine which focuses on The Speaking Industry - https://www.amazon.com/iDOMINATE-SPEAKERS-MAGAZINE-NOVEMBER-2022/dp/B0BLB9WKY2/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1669340176&refinements=p_27%3ADr.++Will+Moreland&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Dr.++Will+Moreland​

Aziz Gueye Adetimirin (Founder & Owner)  The Network Journal is a quarterly print and online business magazine for Black professionals and small business owners. TNJ is dedicated to educating and empowering its readers -https://tnj.com/

32-year-old Shymane Robinson, an esteemed African-American Attorney and the founder and CEO of True Lawyer, has launched a trademark law firm to help transform communities by helping small businesses gain ownership of their brand and leverage their assets with real estate.
Attorney Robinson is on a mission to help one billion visionary entrepreneurs own, protect, and grow businesses that impact the world through trademarks and leverage their assets with real estate.

According to the USPTO, intellectual property protections account for more than $8 trillion in economic activity. It’s imperative that small businesses have access to gain ownership of patents, trademarks, and copyrights allowing them to gain exclusive ownership and be compensated for their creative inventions and ideas helping to close the wealth gap.
True Lawyer, is the first law firm ever to offer a Trademark Guarantee. Attorney Robinson understands that lack of legal representation contributes to the wealth gap. She comments, "To close this wealth gap, we must focus on ownership. Ownership of businesses, intellectual property, and real property. In an effort to increase ownership and help transform communities by ensuring no brand is left behind, my company offers predictable rates so business owners can plan ahead. In addition, we guarantee that if we clear a trademark and it doesn’t register with the USPTO for any reason, our office will Trademark your next mark at no labor cost to you until you gain ownership of your brand." She is very confident in her Trademark service and is serious about helping business owners become OWNERS of their brands.
With almost five years under her belt as the leader of True Lawyer law firm, Shymane has grown a widely successful national law firm that focuses on transforming communities by helping small businesses gain ownership of their brand and leverage their assets with real estate.
In honor of Women’s Small Business month, True Lawyer law firm has made the official announcement to giveaway (3) free federal trademark applications; a value of over $1,500 each to help women-owned businesses protect their brand. One winner will be announced every Friday starting October 14, 2022.
Please follow True Lawyer's Instagram account @Truelawyer_ to receive more information about this Giveaway and Trademark Guarantee. *Restrictions apply

About the company
Founded by Shymane Robinson, True Lawyer is a Chicago-based trademark and copyright law firm serving clients nationwide. True Lawyer help transform communities by helping entrepreneurs to own, protect, and grow businesses that impact the world. In an age where Black Wealth is reported to be $0 by 2053, True Lawyer has established it self as the go-to outlet for predictable flat-rate legal services ensuring everyone has access to legal. Ownership is the keystone to shortening the wealth gap in the black community. True Lawyer is one of few law firms that offer flat rate services and make legal representation accessible to clients who do not have deep pockets or qualify for pro bono services. Learn more at TrueLawyer.com
About the founder
Shymane Robinson was raised in Chicago, IL. She is an accomplished attorney and real estate investor. She is passionate about helping clients create wealth through ownership of both intellectual and real property, as it’s the keystone to building wealth. As a real estate investor and small business owner Shymane understand the importance of owning real estate or starting a business as the first step to establishing wealth.

Late last week, an attorney for Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, told The Associated Press that a letter was sent to Gap on Thursday (Sept. 15) to terminate the contract between the clothing chain and West’s company, Yeezy

Less than 48 hours since the announcement, rumors began to swirl about the mega mogul reportedly reaching out to smaller, black-owned footwear companies for potential partnerships to merge his clothing and shoe lines. This bold business move would bring more awareness to independent clothing brands while creating a bigger stake in the fashion industry for West.
“I think he came at us because we are vanguards of the culture,” says an anonymous business owner. “With all of his power, influence and wide reach, it’s the last thing that major corporations want. This is huge.”
In 2021, Bloomberg ranked him as the wealthiest Black American, pegging his net worth at $6 billion. Between $3.2 billion and $4.7 billion of that net worth comes from West’s partnerships with Gap and Adidas, according to investment bank UBS. A potential partnership between West and smaller, Black-owned businesses would create a larger share of the fashion market for underrepresented corporations.
“If a deal of this proportion goes through and my company goes into partnership with Ye, there will be a tectonic shift,” says the unnamed source. “This shift takes the power away from our oppressors and puts it back into hands of the people who are the gatekeepers of popular culture.”
According to industry insiders, West is seeking mergers with all Black-owned footwear companies. Sources also say celebrities such as Dave Chappelle, Magic Johnson and former track and field athlete/ professional football player John Carlos (archived for his rebellious Black Power salute on the podium at the 1968 Summer Olympics) are among dignitaries who will reportedly bring their influence to this project.
Companies vying for impending ventures with West include Atlanta-based Nagast Footwear. Launched in 2015, Nagast became the first company to create an internationally successful sneaker line to commemorate the legacy of powerful Black leaders, such as Nat Turner and Marcus Garvey, among others.
Other black-owned businesses that could be included in possible ventures include the nation’s only Black woman-owned fulfillment center Everlasting Love Fulfillment, among many others.
“Kanye is 10, 20 years ahead of everybody,” says the source, “and he’s looking towards us.”

​Vonoi Magazine


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As The Woman King rolls into theaters today, both the film’s cast and its director, Gina Prince-Bythewood, are excitedly anticipating wide audience response to the action, drama, and majesty of the story centered on Dahomey’s Agojie warriors.
It’s a real-life legacy that most audiences frankly aren’t familiar with. The director says telling this hidden history, lost to most American audiences, peels back the curtain of mystery about where we came from and serves as a counter to the lessons we’ve been given on where our story began.
“It really started with this story I wanted to tell, which is about these incredible women that history knows nothing about. So much of what we learned about our history in America is that it began with enslavement, and that’s just not the truth,” Prince-Bythewood tells ESSENCE. “There’s an incredible continent – not that far away – that has incredible cultures. It’s where we came from. It’s where our ancestors came from. So I wanted to tell that story.”

The story of the Agojie’s fierce sisterhood and strong bond comes alive on screen, a translation of the close bond Prince-Bythewood and the cast formed with each other during preparation and filming this project.

“I feel that as the director, it’s my job to foster relationships that are then going to show up on screen,” she says. “So many of us have never had an opportunity to tell a story like this. The responsibility we felt, the connection that so many of these actors felt directly to our ancestors, the desire to get it right, we all shared that, and the work ethic.”
That work ethic saw the cast – and Prince-Bythewood, who joined in out of solidarity – completing intense physical training to get in shape to complete their own stunts and fight choreography for the film.
“That bonded everyone because it was so hard,” the director recalls. “They fed each other, pushed each other, they were competitive in the best way and pulled each other through, and it’s beautiful that that could show up onscreen. ”

“It really all started with Viola [Davis]. All of them wanted to tell this story, they wanted to play these incredible characters, but they wanted to play with Viola.”

Davis, the film’s lead who also co-produced the film through her production company JuVee, mentioned during ESSENCE’s roundtable discussion with the cast, she wasn’t entirely convinced that The Woman King would actually come to pass when the prospect of the film came along. For Prince-Bythewood, the fact that the film is actually hitting theaters today is nothing short of miraculous.
“Every time I watch the movie, the word ‘miracle’ pops into my head,” she says. “It is a miracle that this film is in existence, that it’s about to be put into the world. I’m just excited for others to see it because I know how it makes me feel.”

“I know if I had nothing to do with it how I would feel to finally be able to go into the theater and see a story like this and see myself reflected like this. It’s everything, and I’m just excited.”

Viewers on their way to the theaters this evening should also know to stick around after the initial set of credits. There is a brief, yet impactful mid-credit stinger that speaks calls back to the film’s end, yet also encompasses its message in a poignant manner. For Prince-Bythewood, it was an important addition that tied our past and our present together in a subtle way.
“As a filmmaker, you have a vision. I knew what this film was, but I also knew what it meant for me, as a Black woman. And that is about ‘Say Her Name,'” she reveals. “It’s about honoring the Black women who have been in the struggle, who have died nameless, and it ends with a specific name that embodies our struggle of being invisible, of being unprotected. So, it was a callout in honor of us.”
The Woman King is now in theaters.

Source: Essence

The action film based on the lives of Agojie warriors starring Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis is the top-grossing film at the weekend box office. According to Forbes, The Woman King brought in at least $19 million domestically over the weekend following the premiere on Sept. 16. The film has a nearly all-Black cast and was directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood.

The Woman King also earned an A-plus CinemaScore from audiences and smashed Sony Pictures’ early predictions of $12 million for the opening weekend, earning $6.85 million on Friday (including $1.7 million from Thursday) and $7.15 million on Saturday. The film is expected to top $20 million after Sunday’s sales are tallied.

​The Woman King recounts the tale of the Agojie, warriors who fought European colonizers for the Kingdom of Dahomey during the 19th century in West Africa, and Davis called the film, which is also being called “The Black Braveheart,” her “magnum opus.”

“This is my magnum opus,” said Davis on Twitter. “I’ve never had a role like this before, it’s been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I can’t wait for you to experience #TheWomanKing, now playing exclusively in movie theaters.”
The film also seems to be resonating with audiences and received a 94 percent rating from Rotton Tomatoes with a 99 percent audience score. The film also received an A-plus rating from a CinemaScore poll.

CinemaScore shared the poll on Twitter with a caption congratulating Davis, the cast of The Woman King and Sony Pictures.

The script was written by Dana Stevens and based on a story by actress Maria Bello. The Woman King reportedly cost $50 million to produce and also stars Sheila Atim, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega and Thuso Mbedu. 

Vonoi Magazine