the Money

Facebook May Owe You Money

If you used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you’re eligible to file a monetary claim against Facebook. That’s because Meta–the parent company of Facebook–agreed to settle a class action lawsuit accusing the company of sharing user information without permission in one of the largest data leaks in Facebook history.

The breach reportedly provided access to the social media activity of millions of Facebook users to build voter profiles Cambridge Analytica to aid former President Donald Trump in his 2016 presidential bid.

Here’s what you need to do:

Visit the claim website: https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com and provide your name, address, email, phone and your Facebook user name. Other basic information needed is as follows:

• If you resided in the U.S. between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022

• If you were a Facebook user between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022

• If you deleted your account in that period, the date range when you were a Facebook user

• The payment service you prefer, such as PayPal, Venmo or a prepaid Mastercard

What you stand to receive of the $543.7 million pot that is left over after fees is anyone’s guess. A great deal of that depends on how many of Facebooks 247 million users apply for the claim though by all accounts it is likely to be small.

A final approval hearing for the settlement has been set for September 7, 2023 to decide whether to approve the settlement. Only when that happens will monies would be distributed. Then, of course, you’ll have to pray that Facebook doesn’t appeal the case, which would further delay the settlement.

Byron Allen took out a full page ad in the Chicago Tribune asking Wall Street mogul Carl Icahn to join his fighting the racism against Black America by McDonald’s” given the billionaire’s speaking out against McDonald’s inhumane treatment of pigs.

“Mr. Icahn”, I commend your activism,” the letter begins. “I must ask you to join us in taking another important step against McDonald’s in the fight against their blatant racism against Black America.” The ad goes on to cite multiple instances of racist treatment.

Allen filed a $10 billion lawsuit against McDonalds, accusing the fast food chain of failing to advertise equitably with Black-owned media, spending just $5 million of its $1.6 billion annual advertising budget on African

American-owned media.

Said Allen, “This is about economic inclusion of African American-owned businesses in the US economy. McDonald's takes billions from African American consumers and gives almost nothing back. The biggest trade deficit in America is the trade deficit between White corporate America and Black America, and McDonald's is guilty of perpetuating this disparity."

The case was set to go to trial this month.

LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Sets New Milestone

LL Cool J has entered into a multi-year first-look deal with Paramount Global for his Rock the Bells global platform, a radio station and web platform that also provides provides Hip-Hop lovers with a single global destination for content, commerce and experiences. The platform–which recently received a $15 million funding round–will include scripted and unscripted feature film. It is also likely to live stream the rapper/actor’s upcoming Rock the Bells Festival set for August in Queens, New York, where LL Cool J was raised.

“Hip-Hop is an art form that many people doubted from day one, but our culture continues to rise to higher heights! I’m honored that Rock the Bells is leading this resurgence of timeless Hip-Hop, while simultaneously bridging the generations,” said Rock The Bells Founder and CEO LL Cool J.” I’m so excited about all of the amazing things we have planned for the community, fans and brands! This is just the beginning.”

Serena Williams Expands Business Empire

Serena Williams is proving not only to be an ace in tennis but in business as well with investments in more than 60 startups through her firm Serena Ventures. The 41-year old tennis superstar–who also owns a stake in the Miami Dolphins–is added yet another business to her portfolio with the launch last month of 926 Productions, a multimedia production company aimed at empowering women and diverse voices.

“With the launch of 926 Productions, we aim to elevate female and diverse voices through content that speaks to everyone. I’m so excited to begin this next chapter of my career alongside Caroline [Currier], a woman who understands the art of storytelling and is passionate about evoking the entertainment industry in new directions. I look forward to collaborating with her and developing unique projects that inspire audiences across all platforms,” said Williams of the startup that has already aced a first-look TV deal at Amazon Studios.