Blackout Day 2020 Buying from Black-Owned Businesses Here's a List to Get Started

If you're wondering why #BlackoutDay2020 is trending, allow us to fill you in ... and then point you in the right direction to partake.

YouTuber Calvin Martyr is credited with launching the unofficial retail holiday, which is in full swing right now -- namely, Blackout Day. It's all about supporting Black-owned businesses, exclusively, today all across the country ... to show solidarity with the Black community.

This is an idea that's been discussed a lot recently, with some notable people -- like Killer Mike, for example -- encouraging folks in the African-American community to get on board.

Basically, the philosophy is this ... the best way to affect real change, while also lifting up Black people at the same time, is to use the power of the dollar and spend it strategically. As they say, money talks in this country, right? Blackout Day 2020 is the mobilization of that principle.

Killer Mike
"I'M MAD AS HELL"
WSB-TV 2 Atlanta

Now, if you're unfamiliar with what Black-owned businesses are out there and wondering where to start -- we got you. As it turns out, there's plenty from which to choose.

We'll start with national brands and then hone in for more niche markets and products. To start off, we'll highlight AJ Crimson Beauty and Black Girl Sunscreen.

Both companies sell products with darker-skinned customers in mind, but that doesn't mean their stuff is just for Black people either. So, with that in mind, you can browse their wide selection of goods online, or you can pop into a store that carries their line in person.

Let's get to the grub -- because there are TONS of Black-owned food brands you can support too. For canned goods, health food and other fundamentals ... you can hit up Glory Foods, A Dozen Cousins, Iya Foods, EXAU Olive Oil, Neilly's, or Yolele Foods to fill your needs. When it comes to clothes, Milano Di Rouge features some unique styles.

For snacks, look no further than Pipcorn, Symphony Chips, Sol Cacao or Oh-Mazing Granola. If you're a coffee drinker -- Blk & Bold or Red Bay Coffee will wake you right up.

Of course, the marketplace is vast -- and Black business owners have their foot in tech, finance, hair care and beyond. If you look, we're sure you'll find what you need.

Usain Bolt, Kasi Bennett Reveal Baby Daughter's Name Olympia Lightning Bolt!!!

Olympics legend Usain Bolt and his girlfriend, Kasi Bennett, have revealed the name of their baby daughter ... and it may be the most perfect name EVER!!!

Olympia Lightning Bolt.

Come on, does it get any better than THAT?!?!

Baby Bolt was born back on May 17 -- but the couple decided to finally go public with the name on Tuesday while celebrating Kasi's 31st birthday.

Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.

In an emotional bday IG post to Kasi, Usain wrote ... "I want nothing but happiness for u and will continue to doing my best keeping a smile on ur face."

"Now we have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt I look forward to what the future will bring for us but be reassured that I will be the ROCK for this family."

33-year-old Bolt and Bennett have been together for about 7 years now ... and the sprinter had previously shared his excitement about becoming a #GirlDad.

Congrats!!! And, welcome to the world, Olympia!!

Also, CAN YOU IMAGINE IF SHE BECOMES A SPRINTER AND COMPETES IN THE OLYMPICS!

OLYMPIA LIGHTNING BOLT FOR THE WIN!!!

(No pressure though, seriously).

Philly Bar Owner Pulls Gun on Man, During Mask Argument ... Cops Investigating

Bike Lock Dispute
TAKING IT TOO FAR
@Dj__Torney/Twitter

The owner of a Philadelphia bar claims he pulled his gun on a man during a heated confrontation because he thought the guy was reaching for a gun, but apparently ... it was just a bike lock.

It went down Sunday night in the Old City neighborhood, where you see the owner of the Infusion Lounge, Jamie Atlig, pointing his weapon right at the man ... who begins to walk away.

According to witnesses, the man on the sidewalk was yelling at customers for not wearing masks or social distancing, and then things got political with Atlig.

The man allegedly said, "You can have your MAGA privilege," and the owner replied by saying "Trump 2020," and pulling his gun.

Atlig told FOX29 ... he felt threatened because he saw the man reaching for a black, metal object that looked like a gun -- which witnesses say was a bike lock.

Jamie Atlig told FOX29 ... he felt threatened because he saw the man reaching for a black, metal object that looked like a gun -- which witnesses say was a bike lock.
JUSTIFYING THE SITUATION
FOX 29

Still, Atlig insists he was in the right, saying ... "He came across and came to attack me. I’m the actual victim in this situation."

The bar owner's lawyer adds ... "He owns a business. He was being threatened as well as his patrons. He pulled out his duly licensed firearm. He diffused the situation. He put the firearm away." Atlig claims he's been receiving death threats since the video went viral.

Philly PD tells us they've opened an investigation into the incident.

Kanye West Approved to Build Mega-Mansion in WY 52,000 Square Feet for Fam of 6!!!

Kanye West just got official approval to start building a new monster of a home on his ranch in Wyoming (the lakeside one) -- and by the sound of it, he's got a lot of work to do.

TMZ obtained the building and zone permits Ye and co. filed in Cody, Wyoming, which were just signed off on over the past couple months. According to his plans, the guy's got a 10-bedroom mansion in mind ... and then some.

Like we said, Ye's paperwork says he plans to build a single-family residence -- the primary one he'll use for him, Kim and the kids -- which will replace the set of lakeside cabins and dwellings currently there. Kanye estimates the crib will be about 52,000 sq. ft!!!

Speaking of massive square footage, he also filed docs seeking permission to build TWO underground garages at 10,000 sq. feet a pop. He got the OK on those plans as well.

On top of that, it appears Kanye plans to construct two new lake houses on top of ones that are there right now.

It's funny -- the docs say if he needs a new septic system for any of this work .. he's gotta get wastewater permits before breaking ground. Bathroom needs get special attention. 😅

Anyway, it looks like Kanye's settling in even more up there on the prairie -- but unclear if this means a full-blown, permanent move is in the stars. Probably not.

At any rate, here's hoping this construction job moves a little faster than the one undertaken at their Hidden Hills compound, which took years to complete. Good luck!

Floyd Mayweather Charging $999 For Cameo Vids ... 'Most Expensive Celeb' On Site

UPDATE

12:20 PM PT -- Floyd may need to raise his asking price -- because Caitlyn Jenner charges MORE than him on Cameo!

UPDATE

Caitlyn's current rate is $2,500 -- which makes her the most expensive celeb on the platform. Wow, Floyd's first "L."

Want a personalized shout-out from Floyd Mayweather?? Hope you've got an extra GRAND laying around -- 'cause TBE is charging $999 for Cameo vids!!!

Floyd joined the popular site this week ... and in true Money Mayweather style, he claims he's now "the most expensive celeb" on the app.

So, what exactly does a thousand bucks get you from Floyd? Mayweather says he'll provide customizable messages -- both for personal and commercial use -- at "an affordable rate."

Some of the examples ... Floyd says he can give birthday shout-outs, motivational messages and even boxing tips!!

"I want to be the first celebrity to make a million dollars on Cameo," Floyd said.

Mayweather says the Cameo signup is all part of a partnership with Stardam, a company that helps facilitate celeb endorsements for businesses.

In other words, if you own a burger stand and want Floyd Mayweather to make a custom video talking about how he LOOOVES your food, he'll do it -- for a price.

And, Stardam claims Mayweather is available for green screen vids ... which should make for some interesting clips down the road.

By the way, if you're wondering how Floyd's Cameo price compares to other big-name sports celebs ... it appears to be the most by a pretty good amount.

NFL legends like Ray Lewis and Brett Favre charge $300 per vid ... while boxing legends like Mike Tyson ($300) and Roy Jones Jr. ($199) are cashing in at a much lower rate than Floyd as well.

OneUnited Bank Black-Owned Bank's Biz is Booming ... Helping Folks Amid BLM Movement

OneUnited Bank -- which boasts being America's largest Black-owned bank -- is growing even larger along with the Black Lives Matter movement ... and helping folks in need.

The bank's CEO, Kevin Cohee, tells TMZ ... the numbers are in for June, and they're pretty stunning. Cohee says OneUnited boosted its customer base by 50 percent in the last month alone, and saw a record 50 million deposits into various accounts.

One of those customers is Kammeo Bennett, a mother of 7 who was working as an Uber driver when the coronavirus hit. The pandemic sent her income to a screeching halt one day, but the bank helped her get back on her feet.

Kammeo needed money to support her family and reached out to a few banks about a PPP loan, but didn't follow through with an application until she found OneUnited Bank, which, as a black-owned institution, made her feel more comfortable as a black woman.

Bennett ending up being the first OneUnited customer awarded a PPP loan. She says she couldn't believe it when the bank called, and says the loan was her saving grace.

Cohee says there's an increased demand for the bank's services across the board, and website traffic was up 100 percent in June compared to all of last year!

We're told the boost in biz has resulted in OneUnited doubling its social media team, and increasing its customer service reps by 50 percent since March.

Though the surge in OneUnited's numbers coincides with a month in which Americans took to the streets to protest racism and police brutality, Cohee says the wheels were set in motion before the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns.

Cohee attributes the rise in business beginning in March to some new technology rollouts that made online banking at OneUnited easier. It also had a hit with its Harriet Tubman debit card a month earlier.

However, the CEO says after the news of Ahmaud Arbery's slaying and the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers ... the Black community began focusing on supporting Black business more, including the bank.

Cohee says the institution is founded on engaging in the social activism that people want to support ... and that's the major reason for the spike.

As for that activism ... OneUnited is supporting Blackout Day 2020 on July 7, an economic boycott urging people to support Black-owned businesses exclusively.

Carole Baskin Ca$h Me On Cameo But Missing Husband Topic's Off-Limits!!!

Carole Baskin's is making a FORTUNE recording personalized messages, but fact of the matter is she's also left TONS of dough on the table ... 'cause she's turned down lots of requests from people who want her to talk about her missing and presumed dead husband.

Carole tells TMZ ... she's gotten over 600 Cameo requests so far, but along the way, she's had to decline requests from people who are trying to get her to talk about the fate of her missing husband.

She tells us, "I decline their requests to say things that would make fun of my husband's disappearance because that was such a tragic time in my life, and in that of those who loved him."

Joe Exotic's nemesis from the hit Netflix docuseries, 'Tiger King,' tells us she doesn't think the people making those requests are doing it to be mean spirited, but regardless of how long it's been, talking about her missing husband's a sore subject.

As we've reported ... Jack "Don" Lewis hasn't been seen since August 18, 1997. It's still an active cold case even though he was declared legally dead 5 years after his disappearance. Nobody was charged in his death ... but theories have been spinning like crazy since 'Tiger King' aired, with hardcore Joe Exotic fans pointing the finger at Carole. She's repeatedly denied having anything to do with Don's disappearance or death.

The sheriff in charge of the investigation has told TMZ he knows Don is dead and believes there reason to be suspicious of Carole, although he says she's not a suspect at this time.

Carole Baskin
THE ROUGH CUT
CAMEO

That, apparently, hasn't stopped people from not only asking Carole -- who charges $200 per request -- to talk about her missing husband but also editing Cameo videos to make it seem like she's incriminating herself. TBH, the videos are terribly edited. Watch for yourself. A Cameo video talking about someone saying "I do" for their wedding was edited to make it seem like she admitted guilt in Don's demise.

BTW, if ya saw her Cameo videos when she debuted on the platform last week, you may have noticed some of the bizarre videos that literally made no sense. Carole's got an explanation: "People ask me to say some really bizarre things that are clearly inside jokes for them and their friends, so I do, with the exception of saying things that I found to be hurtful in the 'Tiger King' series."

Bidet Company We'll Pay You $10k Just To Poop!!!

This summer job is the s**t ... a bidet company is offering $10,000 for one lucky person to spend their summer testing a toilet paper alternative, and sharing the journey with all.

Here's the dookie deal ... all ya gotta do to get the dough is be able to poo, analyze and document your daily bowel movements, and share your fecal findings on social media.

The $10,000 gig comes with an exec title -- Vice President of Fecal Matter -- that'll definitely stand out on your resume. Now, it's not for everybody ... ya gotta have at least 21 years on-the-job John experience, and a very open-bathroom-door policy.

The 3-month consulting position is with TUSHY, which fashions itself as a modern bathroom brand revolutionizing the way people poop with different kinds of bidets.

All applicants must submit a video and, we gotta say ... good luck matching Ashley K.'s skills. Still, we're told applications are already pouring in ahead of the company's July 10 deadline. Makes sense ... much like opinions, everyone's got one.

It ain't just straight poop, though ... the VP will also be tasked with interviewing others about their toilet habits, testing TUSHY products against the competition, and prodeuce-ing video content for social media.

Good luck and remember, ya gotta be #1 to talk ✌🏽!!!

Dana White Usman Vs. Masvidal NOT for BMF Belt ... 'That's a One and Done!!!'

Dana White BMF Belt
ONE BELT ONLY
TMZSports.com

Sorry, Kamaru Usman ... your UFC 251 fight against Jorge Masvidal will NOT be for the BMF title -- so says Dana White.

Of course, Jorge won the BMF title in his UFC 244 (Nov. 2019) victory over Nate Diaz -- with UFC spending a TON of cash (around $50k) to get a special championship belt made.

Jorge hasn't fought since ... and now that he's finally getting back in the octagon, everyone wants to know if he's putting that belt on the line!

In fact, Usman -- the reigning UFC welterweight champ -- recently told us how BADLY he wants that belt.

But, bad news for Kamaru ... Dana says it ain't happening.

"It's not on the line," White tells TMZ Sports ... "Usman wants it to be on the line so bad, he will not stop texting me saying, 'I don't understand why this belt isn't on the line! This guy's running around saying he's the BMF champ!'"

"[Kamaru's] like, 'I wanna squash it all. [Masvidal's] not gonna win my title and I'm gonna take his BMF belt!'"

"Believe me," Dana says ... Usman has not stopped terrorizing me about this."

White says the BMF title fight was a "one and done" -- so, basically ... it's been retired.

There's a lot more ... Dana also tells us how he was able to put the Usman vs. Masvidal fight together so quickly after Gilbert Burns dropped out due to a positive COVID-19 test -- and if he ever considered using Colby Covington as a replacement fighter.

The whole thing goes down on July 11 at UFC 251 on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi ... and White tells us, he's so excited about the location, he's looking to buy a house there!

Dana White Fight Island Forever
WE'LL BE BACK
TMZSports.com

White says he's planning to return to "Fight Island" for more UFC events after the initial 4-event run in July ... and confirms it will be a regular location for the UFC for years to come.

Ya gotta watch the video ... White even tells us about the FOOD in Abu Dhabi, and it sounds pretty incredible.

"I Don't Wanna Know" Singer Mario Winans 'Memba Him?!

South Carolina singer Mario Winans got a taste of fame when his smooth vocals and shirtless music video for his single, "I Don't Wanna Know," took the public by surprise in 2004 and even hit #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts ... opening the doors for his debut album, "Hurt No More."

Bad Boy artist Winans was accompanied on his hit single by none other than Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Fun-sh Fact: "I Don't Wanna Know" is a sample of the 1996 Fugees song, "Ready or Not," ... which was a sample of Enya's 1987 song, "Boadicea."

Guess what he looks like now at 45 years old.

Missouri Assault Sucker Punch on Dancer Gets Man Charged with 2 Felonies

Sucker Punch 7/3/20
ZERO HUMANITY
Michael Crank Curry/Facebook
UPDATE

3:54 PM PT -- The victim's mom, Stephanie Hagler, tells TMZ ... she hopes once Moore's arrested, nobody posts his bail. In a perfect world, Moore wouldn't get bail. That being said, she says, "I appreciate the police department for taking the case so seriously, and I know my son appreciates it too. I don't think I will feel any relief until he is arrested. As of now it's just words on paper there hasn't been any real consequence."

UPDATE

The man who shot the video, Micheal Curry, tells us Moore MUST be arrested because "anyone who's willing to hit a kid like that, there's no telling what they're going to do next."

The scumbag who sucker punched a 12-year-old boy dancing on a sidewalk has been charged with 2 felonies, but cops are still searching for him.

Cedric Charles Moore Jr. has been charged with felony assault in the second degree and felony child endangerment in the first degree due to the age of the victim and the violence of the act ... according to cops in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Cops say they were able to ID Moore after seeing video footage of the unprovoked attack that went down Friday a little after 11:30 PM. Cape Girardeau PD says officers have been to Moore's home and various other locations he is known to frequent, but they're getting no cooperation from the his friends and family.

When they do find him, Moore's bail's already set at $50k cash only.

Cops also released Moore's mug shot from a 2017 booking in hopes the public can help locate his whereabouts.

And, then there's this ... the CGPD says the public's "understandably expressed a desire to see Moore charged with a hate crime" but they say "this charge would only apply if the assault was categorized to a lesser degree, which would not be in the best interest of seeking true justice for the victim."

Originally Published -- 3:28 PM PT

Bubba Wallace Lands Beats By Dre Endorsement Deal Company Defends Driver Against Trump

NASCAR's Bubba Wallace just inked a huge endorsement deal with Beats By Dre ... and the company is already stepping up to defend the driver against President Trump.

The audio company -- which already has superstars like LeBron James, Serena Williams and Odell Beckham on its roster -- made the announcement official on Monday ... and wasted no time going to bat for its new athlete.

"We weren’t going to announce this until later this week, but hate cannot win the day," Beats said on Twitter.

Of course, POTUS publicly went after Wallace on Monday ... saying he wants the driver to apologize for the noose "hoax" that sparked an FBI investigation.

Beats added ... "No one should ever be asked to apologize for standing up for what’s right ...We are proud to welcome (Bubba Wallace) to the Beats by Dr. Dre family."

As for Wallace ... he made it clear he wasn't going to give in to Trump's demand ... and instead sent an encouraging message to the younger generation looking to follow in his steps.

ATL Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms I Tested Positive for COVID-19

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who's become a prominent leader during quarantine and a potential Biden VP, says she's contracted the coronavirus ... without a single warning sign.

Mayor Bottoms shared her diagnosis Monday afternoon, saying ... "COVID-19 has literally hit home. I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive."

As you know ... Mayor Bottoms was super outspoken about flattening the curve at the start of the outbreak, and then butted heads with Georgia Governor Brian Kemp over when to reopen the economy.

She actually urged ATL citizens to stay home in quarantine when Kemp gave the go-ahead to reopen Georgia.

Keisha Lance Bottoms MAY 28, 2020
MAKE MASKS APOLITICAL
TMZ.com

Rumored to be on the shortlist of potential Joe Biden running mates, Mayor Bottoms also decried the issue of masks becoming a political symbol and urged folks in her fair city to use common sense and good judgment to safely navigate the pandemic.

Mayor KLB is married with 4 kids ... so presumably, the whole fam has a long 14 days of isolation ahead. She hasn't said if anyone else in her household has been tested.

Patrick Mahomes Agrees To 10-Year, $503 Mil Extension ... With K.C. Chiefs

UPDATE

3:18 PM PT -- Mahomes' agent, Leigh Steinberg, says the deal is even BIGGER than $450 million ... coming in at a staggering HALF A BILLION DOLLARS!!!!

UPDATE

The QB will make $503 MILLION if he sees it to the end, according to Steinberg ... making the contract the largest in sports history.

UPDATE
UPDATE

1:03 PM PT -- The numbers are in ... and Mahomes is slated to make $450 MILLION on the extension, according to Schefter.

UPDATE

The ESPN reporter says $140 million of it is guaranteed in the case of injury ... but there are NO ties on the deal to salary cap percentage, as was initially believed.

Chiefs fans, rejoice ... Patrick Mahomes ain't going anywhere for a LOONG time -- the superstar QB reportedly just agreed to a historic 10-year contract extension with K.C.!!!

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the 24-year-old and the team reached a deal Monday ... although dollar figures have yet to be discussed.

But, the big question ... will this be the NFL's first $400 MILLION DEAL?!?!?!

The proposed contract would lock him into K.C. through the 2031 NFL season.

This is obviously a big deal ... the extension could be one of the most eye-popping in sports history -- with many believing Mahomes could command right around $40 MILLION per year on the deal.

Of course, Pat's deserving of every penny ... the dude has already established himself as one of the NFL's all-time greats, already winning an MVP award and a Super Bowl in just 2 seasons as a starter.

Mahomes' numbers in those years are insane ... in just 30 starts since taking over the QB reigns from Alex Smith, he's logged over 9,000 passing yards and 76 TDs to just 17 interceptions.

In fact, Mahomes has been so good ... Chiefs legend Willie Roaf told TMZ Sports previously he's Tom Brady-esque; while former K.C. head coach Dick Vermeil has told us Pat's got G.O.A.T. potential.

Originally Published -- 12:15 PM PT

Trump Supporters Who Painted Over 'BLM' Mural ID'd by Cops, Charges on the Table

Trump Supporters, BLM Mural
HUE STINK
ViralHog
UPDATE

2:09 PM PT -- The MAGA couple who painted over a 'BLM' mural in the Bay Area have been found by the police -- who now say their fate is in the hands of local prosecutors.

UPDATE

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... Martinez PD tracked down the Trump supporters and they had a chat. We're told they were not arrested, as the alleged misdemeanor crime didn't take place in the presence of an officer. They did take down their account, however, and now ... we're told the case has been turned over for possible prosecution.

UPDATE

We're told the Contra Costa D.A. there will have to decide whether they want to pursue potential vandalism charges. Because these two weren't arrested, though, their identities are currently being withheld.

A pair of Trump supporters quickly ruined the work of residents in a Bay Area town that got the OK to paint a Black Lives Matter mural -- and now, cops would like a word.

This went down Saturday in the city of Martinez, CA -- where a large mural reading "BLM" was stenciled and filled in with paint by the people there in front of their local courthouse -- something city officials approved and even advertised as a community-led holiday event.

The painting of the mural was scheduled from 9 AM to 3 PM, but not too long after folks there finished up the job ... these two boneheads rolled up and did a paint job of their own.

The woman here -- who appeared to be rocking a MAGA-themed shirt -- started applying black paint over the letters with a roller ... she began with the B and then moved on to the L in a sloppy rush -- as people around them started to film and get in their face about it.

She had a man with her who was definitely wearing Trump 2020 gear -- and he was standing by and filming the encounter himself, getting into shouting matches with bystanders and telling them they were brainwashed, and that racism was a liberal hoax. Seriously ...

The witnesses got footage of their truck as well as their license plate. Eventually, the couple scrammed before they could finish their defacement ... things were getting heated.

Now, Martinez Police says they're looking for these two and plan to arrest them for defacing the mural ... which, again, was a city-sanctioned thing. Sounds like they might be facing a simple vandalism charge -- the cops were hesitant to call this a hate crime quite yet.

And, of course, Twitter was quick to label them the newest "Karen" and "Kevin" -- but we'll just resort to calling them Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumbass. Probably more accurate.

Originally Published -- 7/5 12:43 PM PT

Central Park 'Karen' D.A. Cites Her for False Report

Central Park Woman May 25, 2020
HE'S "THREATENING" MY LIFE!!!
Facebook/Christian Cooper

Amy Cooper -- the notorious Central Park "Karen" who called the police to lie and say a black man was attacking her -- is now facing criminal prosecution for it.

Manhattan D.A. Cy Vance Jr. just announced his office has initiated a prosecution of Cooper for "Falsely Reporting an Incident in the Third Degree."

Cooper has been issued a court date for October, and Vance added ... "I would like to encourage anyone who has been the target of false reporting to contact our Office. We are strongly committed to holding perpetrators of this conduct accountable."

As you'll recall ... Amy retaliated against a black man named Christian Cooper (no relation) back on Memorial Day after he, a bird watcher, complained that her dog was off-leash ... in violation, he felt, of a law requiring dogs to be on-leash in Central Park from 9 AM to 9 PM.

Her response, which Christian caught on video, was to threaten to call NYPD and "tell them there's an African-American man threatening my life" ... and she did.

The vid went viral, and despite Amy issuing an apology, she was fired from her job at Franklin Templeton ... which stated, "We do not tolerate racism of any kind."

Amy also briefly lost custody of her rescue dog seen in the video but got it back 10 days later after it was evaluated by a vet and found to be in good health.

If convicted of the false reporting charge -- a misdemeanor -- Amy faces a max sentence of up to 1 year in jail.