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Shelton Jackson “Spike” Lee has made an indelible mark on the landscape of American cinema. With groundbreaking films like “ Do the Right Thing” (1989), “ Malcolm X” (1992), and “ BlacKkKlansman” (2018), Lee has provoked thought and dialogue on pressing societal issues. His directorial prowess has earned him critical acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “BlacKkKlansman” in 2019. So, with all his cinematic success, what is Spike Lee’s net worth in 2025? Let’s take a look at his achievements and the numbers that have made Lee one of the most recognizable movie makers in the industry. From Atlanta Roots to Brooklyn Living Born on March 20, 1957, in Atlanta, Georgia, Shelton Jackson Lee was the eldest child of Jacqueline Carroll, an arts and literature teacher, and William James Edwards Lee III, a jazz musician and composer, per TV Insider . During Lee’s early years, the family relocated to Brooklyn, New York, settling in the Fort Greene neighborhood. It...
This year, Morehouse College’s A Candle in the Dark Gala shattered expectations, raising an unprecedented $6.8 million for scholarships that will directly impact the lives of current and future students. As one of the most prestigious fundraising events, the gala in Atlanta, GA, celebrates Morehouse’s legacy and its unwavering commitment to empowering young men and strengthening the community. Among the evening’s most compelling moments was the heartfelt address from Rashaun Williams, a Morehouse alum, investor, and philanthropist, who is a 2025 recipient of the Bennie Award and recognized as a Trailblazer. He spoke about the institution’s transformative role in his life. Williams, who has built a career investing in emerging businesses and supporting economic empowerment, credited Morehouse with stepping in when he needed guidance, structure, and a sense of belonging. “Morehouse was my first investor. You’re looking at the return on investment that you get when you invest in...
Dave’s Hot Chicken is considering a sale that would bring the company’s valuation to nearly $1 billion. The popular fast-food chain, founded by Dave Kopushyan, Arman Oganesyan, Tommy Rubenyan, and Gary Rubenyan, has locations in states such as Arizona, Massachusetts, California, Missouri, and Texas. In total, the chain has over 250 locations worldwide, per Reuters. It all started in 2017 with a $900 investment that led to the restaurant’s grand opening as a pop-up in an East Hollywood, CA, parking lot, its website mentions. Its menu features chicken tenders and sliders with spice levels ranging from Lite Mild to Reaper. Sides include fries, mac and cheese, and kale slaw. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DavesHotChicken (@daveshotchicken) The company’s business model appears to be a success with each franchise earning on average $2.19 million in revenue (AUV) per year, according to Sharp Sheets. In total, its locations generate an estimated $1 billion in total annual...
Google has pulled a recent 2024 Olympics ad after being accused of promoting the use of AI technology in place of creativity. In an ad titled “Dear Sydney,” a father narrates his journey to using the platform to help his daughter write a letter to U.S. hurdler and sprinter Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, who just so happens to be her favorite athlete and inspiration, CNBC reports. While Google maintains that its AI chatbot Gemini is used solely to enhance or even jumpstart its users’ creativity , many social media users dragged the company following the ad’s airing, citing that it promotes too heavy a reliance on technology. “We believe that AI can be a great tool for enhancing human creativity, but can never replace it,” said a spokesperson for Google in an official statement following the incident, per CNBC. “Our goal was to create an authentic story celebrating Team USA.” Shelly Palmer, a professor of advanced media at Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications,...
Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has taken the creative industry by storm, but a new bill has been introduced to protect creators’ rights. U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) introduced the Nurture Originals, Foster Art, and Keep Entertainment Safe Act of 2024, or the NO FAKES Act, on July 31. According to a press release shared by Coons, the bill was created “to protect the voice and visual likenesses of creators and individuals from the proliferation of digital replicas created without their consent.” “The NO FAKES Act would hold individuals or companies liable for damages for producing, hosting, or sharing a digital replica of an individual performing in an audiovisual work, image, or sound recording that the individual never actually appeared in or otherwise approved – including digital replicas created by generative artificial intelligence (AI),” per the release. “Everyone...
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been the bedrock of Black communities since the founding of Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, which is credited as the nation’s first HBCU. Since then, hundreds more HBCUs have been founded with the intent of serving Black students during times of deep segregation and racism. Although the world has become more progressive since then, the need for these institutions has proven to be vital community pillars — not just for Black students but for the world. With notable alums like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Kamala Harris, Toni Morrison, Stacey Abrams, and Thurgood Marshall from various HBCUs, these institutions produce noteworthy people who impact the world across different industries. Every year, the U.S. News & World Report releases a list of the nation’s top colleges and universities. The publication also ranks HBCUs according to a specific methodology that uses “quantitative and qualitative measures that education experts...
Morgan Freeman is a beloved actor , producer, and public figure who has been an instantly-recognizable figure in the entertainment industry for over five decades. The velvet-voiced thespian has given such landmark performances in his day that he’s often associated with god himself, simply because he portrayed the larger-than-life role in the 2003 movie “Bruce Almighty.” According to Celebrity Net Worth , Morgan Freeman has amassed an enormous fortune of more than $250 million. While this nest egg is impressive by any measure, it’s especially incredible as Freeman comes from very humble beginnings, and has lost multi-million dollar figures in disputes such as his 2010 divorce. Any way you slice it, Morgan Freeman’s net worth paints a compelling picture of his longevity, creativity, and resilience, and solidifies his position as an inspiration to us all. Now that the long-standing GOAT of voiceover narration has just celebrated his 87th birthday, this seems like as good a time as any...
An accountant took advantage of Kenan Thompson’s glory days at Nickelodeon. During an interview on “The Breakfast Club” podcast, the comedian recalls his experience with an accountant who went sour between 1999 and 2000, leading him to go broke and lose $1.5 million. “I’ve been blessed to continue working, but I had a bad accountant, and it came to the light around ’99, around 2000, which was really bad timing ’cause that’s right when I left my consistent gig. So, then I went into being an adult actor for hire, and that is very hit and miss,” Thompson said. He was introduced to the accountant by his mother, as the man had previously helped her with her taxes. The pair had given the accountant power of attorney, which would permit him to act on their behalf on a temporary or permanent basis, according to the American Bar. “We gave that dude power of attorney when we shouldn’t have. I was a kid and my mom was trying to protect me,” Thompson mentioned. “He had helped her out of her and...
The passing of a loved one comes with a rollercoaster of emotions, from being hit with grief to becoming overwhelmed with creating funeral plans. The ordeal can be quite strenuous for many families, but what if it didn’t have to be? Following the tragic loss of her father, Jessica McGlory launched Guaranteed, a tech-enabled hospice-care startup. On the premise that death is the only thing in life that’s guaranteed, the founder and CEO created the company to transform how society handles the ultimate fate. The goal is better preparation when it comes to taking necessary actions and managing the emotional experience. Guaranteed uses frictionless technology to provide direct, at-home patient care in Los Angeles, CA, and New York, NY. An additional standout feature is that the company not only looks after its patients but also their families, who receive their own personal plan of care. Investors have gravitated to the mission behind Guaranteed as it has raised nearly $10 million to...
Some voices are immediately recognizable once you hear them. On that list, you’ll likely find people like Morgan Freeman, Samuel L. Jackson — and, of course, Wanda Sykes. The familiarity of these people’s gifts is what makes them household names, and Sykes has held it down for decades. To this day, she continues to entertain people with her versatility as a voice actor, comedic chops, and acting prowess. Sykes is a Virginia native and graduate of Hampton University. Although Wanda Sykes graduated with a bachelor of science degree in marketing, she launched her stand-up career in Washington D.C. during a Coors Light Super Talent Showcase, according to PBS. Her career would soon take off as a writer and on-screen talent for HBO’s “Chris Rock Show.” Sykes would then go on to star in several other television shows and movies that include “Pootie Tang,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Black-ish,” and her recent endeavor, “The Upshaws” on Netflix. The comedienne’s hard work and talent earned her...
When you think of “The Cosby Show,” one of its promising actors who comes to mind is Geoffrey Owens. Playing the character of Elvin Tibideaux marked his television debut. The actor made recurring appearances from season two up until its end in season eight in 1992. The Brooklyn native’s path into acting started when he became involved in theater while attending the High School of Performing Arts. Following his gig on “The Cosby Show,” Owens went on to feature in numerous films and shows such as “Law & Order,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and “Blue Bloods.” But within his successful career, what was once an opportunity of a lifetime became a turn in his journey. Once the Bill Cosby scandal hit the media, TV Land was one of the multiple networks to pull reruns of “The Cosby Show” from its schedule. The dent in the actor’s income from the loss of TV royalties pushed him to find a consistent job at the time, so he decided to work at Trader Joe’s. While working in his new...