Gulf Coast Urban Spectrum

Urban

Access To Capital Remains A Problem For Most Black Businesses

By: Kevin Michael Briscoe

By Kevin Michael Briscoe By many accounts, access to capital has stunted the ability of minority business owners to maintain cash flow and cover operating costs. In fact, more than half of black business owners polled in a recent national survey cite lack of access to cash as the main...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordMegashia Jackson’s mother battled drug addiction. A babysitter burned more than 50% of her body with scorching water. Classmates made her suffering worse by tormenting her about the scars that would mar her for life. Jackson was clever enough to turn the jokes back on them, honing her...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordShaun King is among the most decorated football players in Tulane University history. He led the Green Wave to an undefeated 12-0 record in 1998, including a Liberty Bowl victory over Brigham Young University — and set an NCAA Division I-A single-single record for passing efficiency. Thanks to...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordBack when street hustlers and killers called him “Glaze,” the crack cocaine king of New York was among the most feared men walking the streets of new York. But in 1990 the enforcer for a drug kingpin from Queens pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges that put him...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordAt 15 years of age, Schea Cotton was a bona fide basketball star. When he famously held his own as a teenager while working out with hoops legend Magic Johnson, it only solidified that he was head and shoulders above anyone else in his age group. NFL Hall-of-Famer...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordProfessional boxer Abner Mares (31-3-1) conquered three divisions en route to becoming a four-time world champion. His exciting fighting style made him a must-see-tv fighter, and he quickly became a fan favorite. The former Olympian is proving to be the goods outside of the ring as well. Not...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordBoxing legend James Toney predicts a “vicious” outcome in a potential bout between him and former heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson. Toney concluded his legendary boxing career with 77 wins, including winning more than 50% of his bouts by way of knockout, accentuating his moniker “Lights...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordJason Lee’s grit, determination and unwavering passion have made him one of Hollywood’s most sought-after entertainment visionaries. The entrepreneur has been CEO, event producer and brand ambassador for more than a decade. His sideline as celebrity relationship connector for The Conglomerate Group included big names like Chris Brown,...

By: James King

By James King BRONX, New York — New York police officers fatally shot a black man in his Bronx apartment in April 2019 after a taser failed to subdue him. Sixteen months later the Bronx District Attorney announced investigators found no criminality in Kawaski Trawick’s death. On Nov. 17, DA...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordArguably one of our generation’s best fighters, undefeated (26-0) welterweight boxing champion Errol Spence Jr. was riding high after defeating Shawn Porter in 2019. He couldn’t have known he was on a path that nearly ended his life. Just a month later, photos surfaced of Spence’s demolished vehicle....

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordR&B legend Donell Jones wants his fans to know he’s no longer in the clutches of debt, addiction, a smoking habit and other vices that affected him throughout his career. His new album “100% free!” is exactly that: 100% free. Jones will release it to his fans in...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordLenny Williams launched his solo career in 1974 with “Pray for the Lion.” In April 2020, a full 46 years later, he’s still making records. His latest studio album, “Fine,” is his 18th. Few recording artists have shared Williams’ consistency and longevity. Best known for his 1975 hit,...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordBrandon Marshall ate defensive backs for lunch during his 13-year NFL career. The 6’5″ former All-Pro receiver conquered entire defenses. Now he aims to conquer the podcast and fitness lanes. Growing by leaps and bounds, I AM ATHLETE is in its second season. Other former NFL standouts—Chad “Ochocinco”...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordMario Barrios (26-0-0 with 17 KOs) remained undefeated on Halloween night with a knockout of Ryan Karl (18-3-0 with 12 KOs) in front of a Showtime pay-per-view audience. The WBA 140-pound champ stopped Karl in the sixth round on what may have been the card of the year....

By: Joseph Hammond

By Joseph Hammond London — Despite the fact that the Los Angeles Dodgers won a World Series in Texas and the Los Angeles Lakers just won an NBA title in Florida, Brooklyn’s Mike Tyson will soon fight what may be his final match in Los Angeles. Former heavyweight champions Mike...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordEmmy Award-winning director/producer Eric Drath is known for capturing stories about the entertaining sport of boxing. His 2010 film “Assault In The Ring” captured an Emmy for Outstanding Sports Documentary. Drath has since produced other acclaimed films, including “No Mas,” which revolved around the controversial ending of the...

By: Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey

By Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey It’s 100 years since Dr. Meta Loretta Christy became the first black woman in America to graduate from what is now the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. And just two years ago Dr. Ashley Roxanne Peterson, now 26, graduated from the same school as the youngest...

By: Percy Crawford

By Percy CrawfordIt all started in a church choir in Birmingham, Alabama for Rekeshia Bennett. There she honed her skills and fulfilled her spirit, becoming proficient at her craft at an early age. Church choirs have produced some of our greatest musical talents, and Bennett seems to be no exception....