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Majority of NFL First Round Picks Have Black Agents

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Seventeen of the 32 selections Thursday night counted African Americans among their representatives. (More than one agent represents some players.) The scattered remote locations did nothing to diminish the significance of the milestone for a group of elite, mostly under-40, African American agents.

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“People look at a young Black kid and think, ‘What can he really do for me?’ I still get that to this day, to be honest with you, and I’ve been in the business for a while. I think you have a lot of players now who feel they don’t have to go with the status quo.”

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Three years ago, The Undefeated featured Adisa Bakari, a former Division I-AA football player and founder of The Sports & Entertainment Group, a Washington, D.C.-based sports agency that represents some of the top athletes in the NFL and professional boxing.

After three seasons and realizing that a playing career wasn’t in the cards, Bakari mapped out a successful plan to represent athletes.

For African American sports agents like Bakari, the NFL represents a unique opportunity to represent athletes of color.

The most recent demographics show that 70 percent of the NFL’s approximately 1,700 players are black.

Over three days, beginning Thursday, April 23, about 256 young men were selected by NFL teams in the 2020 draft. What’s more, the Washington Post reported that for the first time in NFL history, more than half of the players selected in the first round of the draft were represented by Black agents.

It is the first round that guarantees the new college graduates million-dollar contracts and generation-altering wealth.

Seventeen of the 32 selections Thursday night counted African Americans among their representatives. (More than one agent represents some players.) The scattered remote locations did nothing to diminish the significance of the milestone for a group of elite, mostly under-40, African American agents.

They all say they’ve dealt with what they describe as implicit bias when making their pitches to families of all colors.

“I don’t think families entertained having an African American agent for a long time,” agent David Mulugheta, who led the list with four first-rounders, told the Post.

“People look at a young Black kid and think, ‘What can he really do for me?’ I still get that to this day, to be honest with you, and I’ve been in the business for a while. I think you have a lot of players now who feel they don’t have to go with the status quo.”

The newspaper broke down the agents in their selections (agents and the players):

  • David Mulugeta – Isaiah Simmons, Jordan Love, A.J. Terrell, K’Lavon Chaisson
  • Demarius Bilbo – Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Mekhi Becton
  • Tory Dandy – CeeDee Lamb, Cesar Ruiz
  • Nicole Lynn – Jedrick Wills
  • Rocky Arceneaux – Clyde Edwards
  • Brian Overstreet – Jeff Gladney
  • Stanley Wiltz – Patrick Queen
  • Tracy Latrigue – Damon Arnette
  • Jovan Barnes – Henry Ruggs III
  • Charles Fisher – C.J. Henderson
  • John Thornton – Andrew Thomas

All the contacted agents pointed to the late Eugene Parker as the “godfather” of Black agents who inspired many to pursue careers in the field, the Post noted. Parker, who died in 2016 at age 60, represented Hines Ward, Emmitt Smith, and Walter Jones, among others, and is often described as the first Black “super agent.”

“Eugene set the tone for all Black agents,” Lynn said.

Mulugheta added that “seeing him told a lot of people that you don’t need to be an athlete to stay involved in sports. Growing up, I never saw a Black agent, so that wasn’t something I saw as possible, but once I was leaving college, that’s when I found out about Eugene Parker.”

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How to Use Credit Wisely

(NewsUSA) – As the holiday season approaches, more people are out shopping, searching crowded stores and online promotions for the best discounts, and using their credit cards to pay for it all. But beware the financial dangers of credit use — how you pay for these deals could safeguard your budget or lead to debt. […]
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A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help you guard against costly credit mistakes, paving the way for a financially sound festive season and beyond. Learn more about how to use credit in a way that works for you with the insights below.

Choose Your Credit Card Wisely

Whether you’re shopping for holiday gifts or purchasing necessities like groceries, the credit card you use can make a big difference. There are several factors to consider:

  • Interest Rates. Rates generally run from 21-33%. The standard bank card charges at the low end of the range, and retailer credit cards (those typically with the store’s name on them) charge as much as 33%.
  • Cash Back. Among the best deals are bank cards that offer cash back ranging from 1-4% of your purchase.
  • Rewards Points. Some cards have rewards programs where you earn points that you can redeem for products or services. They may seem attractive but are worthwhile only if you’re actually interested in the rewards offered.
  • Cash Discounts. While retailer credit cards have the highest rates, some offer big cash discounts at the point of purchase. That may be the only time they’re worth using.

Improving Your Credit Score

Boosting your credit score can help you qualify for the lowest available interest rates on auto loans, personal loans and mortgages. If you can, pay the full balance when your credit card bill arrives. But most importantly, never miss a payment. Paying on time not only avoids late fees, but also is a key factor in improving your credit score. The easy way to ensure timely payment is to set up automatic online payments.

A CFP® professional can help you develop other strategies to save money while improving your credit profile, including the following:

Establishing Credit

Lenders offer credit to people with a long and reliable credit history. Most young adults don’t have one. There are various ways to obtain credit, but steer clear of debit cards that claim they can help you build a credit history. When you consider the costs and requirements, they’re usually no bargain. You have better and cheaper options for establishing credit. Here are three of them:

  • Get a secured credit card.
  • If you have a student loan, make sure you’re up-to-date with payments.
  • If you pay rent, ask your landlord to report your on-time payments to the credit bureaus.

The choices we make in managing credit can have a lasting impact on our financial journey. As you navigate the complex credit landscape, remember that CFP® professionals can offer tailored guidance for your unique circumstances. Whether it’s identifying strategic debt payments, exploring balance transfer options or establishing credit responsibly, a CFP® professional can provide a roadmap for achieving your financial goals. Find a CFP® professional today.

The post How to Use Credit Wisely first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Acura ZDX Type S features

LA Auto Show was the venus for the Acura ZDX Type S details.
The post Acura ZDX Type S features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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LA Auto Show was the venus for the Acura ZDX Type S details.

The post Acura ZDX Type S features first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show

LA Auto Show was the venue for the Subaru Forester. This was the most interesting display technologically.
The post Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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LA Auto Show was the venue for the Subaru Forester. This was the most interesting display technologically.

The post Subaru Forester exhibit LA Auto Show first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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