Bernard's Flow of Thoughts

It’s that time of year, where we all ignore the fact that the Major League Baseball postseason is nonsense. Baseball starts drinking on Oct. 1, and when it wakes up in the first week of November, the smoke alarm is going off and there’s a horse in the bathtub. There’s no rhyme or reason to it, but we’re supposed to pretend like we can predict winners and losers at the trade deadline. Heck yeah, we’re supposed to pretend like we can predict winners and losers at the trade deadline. It’s fun. So even though you might be from the future and laughing at my simplistic analysis, just know that I’m more interested in being fun than right. Which is good, considering this won’t be right. Thought the Astros should have traded for Yu Darvish instead of Justin Verlander last year, for example. Hey, it could have worked, you don’t know. But you clicked, so I’ll write. Here are the winners and losers from the 2018 MLB trade deadline : Rays Acquired : Tommy Pham, Austin Meadows, Tyler Glasnow,...

It’s no secret that black women entrepreneurs are making major boss moves . And today, culture can go beyond just a buzzword for a campaign or a debate on authenticity—it can be something to embrace to capture a unique niche , fill a market void, and find expanded success. Claudine Moore is one entrepreneur who knows more than a thing or two about that. She has successfully led  C Moore Media (CMM) , a New York-based, international strategic communications firm, since 2010, providing specialized services for global clients. Before launching CMM, she worked in public relations for brands and agencies including Ralph Lauren, McCann Erickson (MRM), and Hill+Knowlton Strategies, and though the experience was great for her career, she wanted to be able to cater to a region she’d grown to wonder about and admire as a child. “My parents were Pan Africanists, so from an early age I have had an interest in Africa,” she says. “To fully enjoy your career, [I know that] you have to align i...

We are hearing more and more about African Americans taking a seat at the tech table but it is something to be said when that person is only 13-years-old. Meet Iddris Sandu, the young tech maven that started his career when he was barely out of middle school. Black Enterprise caught up with Sandu and discussed how he broke into the industry, the smart store he conceived for Nipsey Hussle, and what moves he’s currently making at these tech corporations. How did you break into the industry at such a young age? At the age of 13, I understood what the future of mobile applications would come to represent. Apple was pioneering the mobile space with their App Store. This marked an important mark in the history of consumer products because it would allow regular individuals to identify and provide solutions that other individuals could use. We read that you partnered with  Nipsey Hussle , to create  The Marathon Clothing Store, a smart store that allows customer...

There will be powerhouse women in the director’s chairs of your favorite NBC shows thanks to a new initiative. NBC Entertainment recently announced the inaugural class of a program called  Female Forward , and the initiative is set to increase the presence of women calling the creative and production shots for top shows. “We’ve proven time and again that our pipeline programs discover undeniable talent who bring a fresh point of view to their work, and our first Female Forward class is no exception,” said Karen Horne, NBC Entertainment’s VP of programming and talent development and inclusion, in a news release. “Diversity in the director’s chair encourages inclusion at every echelon of a production, and our hope is that these 10 women will join the ranks of other women directors who have exponentially affected change by opening doors for those who follow them not only in their field, but across our industry.” The finalists will be working on series including Brooklyn Nine-...

A video went viral this week after a black man angrily confronted former White House press secretary Sean Spicer at a bookstore. The video shows Spicer seated, signing copies of his new book at a bookstore in Middletown, Rhode Island. A black man standing a few feet away suddenly calls out to him and says, “Remember you tried to fight me?” Others in the store start chuckling—perhaps thinking the two were engaging in playful banter. Then the man says, “But you called me a nigger first” and the crowd’s mood instantly changes. The black man in the video is Alex Lombard. He is accusing Sean Spicer of calling him the n-word and with trying to attack him when they both were high school students at Portsmouth Abbey, a boarding school in Rhode Island. In an interview with Black Enterprise , he goes into detail about his memory of Spicer, his subsequent conversation with the former press secretary after the incident, and why he felt the need for the confrontation. “The first week I was [a...

There’s nothing quite like the Nike swoosh. If you’re like me, then you’re constantly thinking about when to get your next pair of Nike shoes and how to get the best deals from the sports retail giant. Well my friends, here’s your perfect chance to pounce on a really good deal and pick up some new Nike merch, Whether you’re looking for back to school gear, an upcoming birthday gift, or just something to splurge on, this deal will be right up your alley. Nike is offering an extra 20 percent off on select styles through Aug. 4. Use Promo Code: HOT20 at checkout and you’re good to go! The deal helpfully runs through Saturday, so you’ll have all week to check out the options and add them to your shopping carts. Nike doesn’t have sales very often, so if there’s one time where you might consider buying something from them, this should be the moment. There’s a wide array of options, but here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve seen so far and what’s standing out. Details : Price include...

Cardi B, J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, “Bodak Yellow” producer J. White and several other individuals won big by selecting a 50-year-old sample to catapult “I Like It” to the top of the Billboard 100 this summer . Given the extensive time gap, there was potential for a serious generational divide with Pete Rodriguez, the Bronx-born Puerto Rican bandleader whose 1967 hit “I Like It Like That” has helped today’s kids go crazy in the clubs. The 86-year-old artist heard about Cardi’s creation through his grandchildren … via text message. “My kids and grandkids called me and texted me about it,” Rodriguez told Entertainment Weekly . “We recorded [the original] in 1967, so it’s come a long way. I wasn’t aware of Cardi, but my kids and grandkids were. They were all excited; they’re fans.” Like Rodriguez, Cardi was also born in the Bronx and champions her Latin heritage, which was good enough for the boogaloo artist. “I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but I’ve watched some of her videos n...

The Pittsburgh Pirates have played their way back into the playoff race with a 13-3 record over their last 16 games. The Pirates can put a small dent into Chicago’s lead in the NL Central with wins in their two-game series against the Cubs starting this Tuesday night. Pittsburgh is a +105 home underdog in Tuesday’s series opener at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. Jameson Taillon will take the hill for the Pirates squaring off against Chicago ace Jon Lester and the Cubs at -125 on the road. Chicago Cubs at Pittsburgh Pirates When: Tuesday, July 31, 7:05 p.m. ET Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Betting Line / Total: Chicago -125 / 8 Runs Cubs at Pirates OddsShark Matchup Report Pittsburgh Pirates The Pirates settled for a disappointing 2-2 series split against the New York Mets over the weekend after failing to score a run in a 1-0 loss on Sunday. Even with the disappointing result, Pittsburgh hasn’t lost a series since losing two of three in a July 6-8 ...

Walking through the doors of the Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, Virginia, feels less like checking into a hotel than akin to visiting an old family estate in the countryside. Equestrian touches everywhere allude to the horse country provenance of the region, the lush garden surroundings tucked into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains entice you to sit for a spell on one of the overstuffed window seats, and the library is stocked with classic books befitting the quaint historic town—or with a chess set and a roaring fire, if you prefer. It’s no accident that the resort feels welcoming and homey in the most luxurious way. The personal stamp of owner Sheila Johnson and her exquisite attention to detail are everywhere. “I knew what I wanted my clients to feel when they came through the door. It’s welcome home, welcome to my home,” Johnson says. “And in every single one of our resorts, I want to be able to project that and have the Sheila Johnson thumbprint on every one ...

Drake is continuing to dominate the Billboard charts. Drizzy’s latest album, Scorpion , held on to its No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200 for the fourth week in a row. The OVO head honcho’s position atop the chart helped give Hip Hop a heavy presence in the Top 10. Six of this week’s Top 10 albums come from Hip Hop artists, including Post Malone and Cardi B . Elsewhere on the chart, The Internet scored a Top 30 debut with their new album Hive Mind . 88rising also managed to crack the Top 100 with the release of the collective’s Head In The Clouds compilation. Drake Remains On Top Although Drake has some tough competition coming in August, July has been all about Drizzy on the charts. For the fourth week in a row, his Scorpion album secured the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. Scorpion beat out its closest contender, Post Malone’s Beerbongs & Bentleys , by over 100,000 total album equivalent units for the week. Drake’s double LP moved 184,286 units with just under 15,00...

Cardi B, J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, “Bodak Yellow” producer J. White and several other individuals won big by selecting a 50-year-old sample to catapult “I Like It” to the top of the Billboard 100 this summer . Given the extensive time gap, there was potential for a serious generational divide with Pete Rodriguez, the Bronx-born Puerto Rican bandleader whose 1967 hit “I Like It Like That” has helped today’s kids go crazy in the clubs. The 86-year-old artist heard about Cardi’s creation through his grandchildren … via text message. “My kids and grandkids called me and texted me about it,” Rodriguez told Entertainment Weekly . “We recorded [the original] in 1967, so it’s come a long way. I wasn’t aware of Cardi, but my kids and grandkids were. They were all excited; they’re fans.” Like Rodriguez, Cardi was also born in the Bronx and champions her Latin heritage, which was good enough for the boogaloo artist. “I’ve been out of the loop for a while, but I’ve watched some of her videos n...

There will be powerhouse women in the director’s chairs of your favorite NBC shows thanks to a new initiative. NBC Entertainment recently announced the inaugural class of a program called  Female Forward , and the initiative is set to increase the presence of women calling the creative and production shots for top shows. “We’ve proven time and again that our pipeline programs discover undeniable talent who bring a fresh point of view to their work, and our first Female Forward class is no exception,” said Karen Horne, NBC Entertainment’s VP of programming and talent development and inclusion, in a news release. “Diversity in the director’s chair encourages inclusion at every echelon of a production, and our hope is that these 10 women will join the ranks of other women directors who have exponentially affected change by opening doors for those who follow them not only in their field, but across our industry.” The finalists will be working on series including Brooklyn Nine-...

Alphonso Davies is heading to Bayern Munich in January, and Vancouver Whitecaps will fetch the biggest transfer fee in MLS history to part with him . The numbers are pretty eye-catching on their own, without much context — $13.5 million up front, with the potential to rise to $22 million, is a massive fee for a 17-year-old. But given Bayern Munich’s transfer history, it’s an incredible endorsement of his skills and potential. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and the big English clubs might throw $20 million at a high-upside prospect without batting an eyelash, but it’s slightly out of character for Bayern, who are the biggest bargain hunters among the teams that could realistically win the Champions League in the next couple of seasons. Bayern will occasionally pay up for a player if they think he’s a can’t-miss prospect or is the missing piece for a Champions League contending team. Renato Sanches has been a big miss so far, but Bayern is right more often than they’re wrong when they ma...

There’s nothing quite like the Nike swoosh. If you’re like me, then you’re constantly thinking about when to get your next pair of Nike shoes and how to get the best deals from the sports retail giant. Well my friends, here’s your perfect chance to pounce on a really good deal and pick up some new Nike merch, Whether you’re looking for back to school gear, an upcoming birthday gift or just something to splurge on, this deal will be right up your alley. Nike is offering an extra 20 percent off on select styles through August 4 Use Promo Code: HOT20 at checkout and you’re good to go! The deal helpfully runs through Saturday, so you’ll have all week to check out the options and add them to your shopping carts. Nike doesn’t have sales very often, so if there’s one time where you might consider buying something from them, this should be the moment. There’s a wide array of options, but here’s a quick rundown of what we’ve seen so far and what’s standing out. Details : Price include...

Azealia Banks recently slammed MTV’s Wild ‘N Out  after some jokes allegedly made her cry at a recent taping. Now, comedian DC Young Fly has identified himself as the source of the tears. During the Miami stop of his 85 South Show with Karlous Miller and Chico Bean, DC and his fellow comedians recounted the story of Banks’ tears at the Wild ‘N Out taping. According to the cast members, the incident occurred while the comedians were playing a game called “So Petty.” Chico Bean said DC made a joke about how Nick Cannon really wanted Cardi B but had to settle for “Azealia Banks’ lil’ ugly ass.” This allegedly prompted her to go off on DC, who promised to save his response for the “Wildstyle” portion of the show. “First of all, I didn’t know who she was,” DC explained. “I just knew she talked about people online. I always wanted to say something to the bitch, but I didn’t know who the fuck the bitch was. So, I got the bitch on the show.” He continued, “She said something about ...

Azealia Banks recently slammed MTV’s Wild ‘N Out  after some jokes allegedly made her cry at a recent taping. Now, comedian DC Young Fly has identified himself as the source of the tears. During the Miami stop of his 85 South Show with Karlous Miller and Chico Bean, DC and his fellow comedians recounted the story of Banks’ tears at the Wild ‘N Out taping. According to the cast members, the incident occurred while the comedians were playing a game called “So Petty.” Chico Bean said DC made a joke about how Nick Cannon really wanted Cardi B but had to settle for “Azealia Banks’ lil’ ugly ass.” This allegedly prompted her to go off on DC, who promised to save his response for the “Wildstyle” portion of the show. “First of all, I didn’t know who she was,” DC explained. “I just knew she talked about people online. I always wanted to say something to the bitch, but I didn’t know who the fuck the bitch was. So, I got the bitch on the show.” He continued, “She said something about ...

Bronny James mania has officially arrived. With his famous father in the stands, LeBron James’ oldest son spent the weekend playing in front of massive crowds with his grassroots team in Las Vegas. Even though he’s only entering eighth grade, it’s clear Bronny is already a certified basketball celebrity. The scene at a game on Thursday night became so chaotic that it had to be canceled. In a small high school gym that was over capacity, a man in a Michael Jordan jersey started heckling LeBron. A scuffle broke out between two adults and officials decided to call the game before it tipped off. You will be hearing a lot about Bronny in the coming years. This is what you need to know. When was Bronny James born? One site lists his birthday as Oct. 6, 2004 . That means he’s 13 years old right now as he enters eighth grade in Los Angeles. This would put him in the high school class of 2023. Where does Bronny James go to school? Nothing has been announced yet, but Gary Payton created ...

The Seattle Seahawks parted ways with defensive tackle Malik McDowell on Thursday, just over a year after the team picked him in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft . McDowell never took a snap or donned a Seahawks uniform before an ATV accident in July 2017 caused injuries that ended his rookie year before it ever began. The details of his injury were never revealed, but over a year later, the Seahawks still weren’t ready to medically clear the lineman. McDowell will now have to hunt for another NFL team willing to give him a chance. For the Seahawks it’s another bad pick in a string of poor draft choices in recent offseasons. McDowell was the first pick Seattle made in 2017, putting him in an underwhelming group. Seahawks first draft pick last six years: Malik McDowell, Germain Ifedi, Frank Clark, Paul Richardson, Christine Michael, Bruce Irvin, James Carpenter — Danny Kelly (@DannyBKelly) April 16, 2018 In that group: Three left as free agents (Carpenter, Irvin and ...