What is it?
 
The Opportunity Zone program was created to revitalize economically distressed communities using private investments rather than taxpayer dollars.
 
That doesn’t sound that bad; they want to help the hood, right?
 
Nah, I wouldn’t go that far.  I’ll keep this example simple.  If you bought Amazon stock at $200 and decided to cash out now at $1900, you would get hit up for capital gains tax on that $1700 profit.  But now, you can invest it into an Opportunity Fund and pay ZERO taxes if you leave it in there for ten years.  So, your earnings will be making more profits without paying taxes… Who needs the Cayman Islands anymore??
 
Can we buy back the block?
 
There’s an opportunity to use the system to rebuild neighborhoods Nipsey style.
 
Most cities have tax incentives and assistance; we just need access, information, and execution.  Below is an example of tools to help in Atlanta, GA.

• Financial Incentives (new market tax credits, social trust funds, Tax Increment Financing)
• Workforce training so that the advantage of the “new jobs” during the revitalization
• Keep your house with Owner-Occupied rehab programs or buy a home with down payment assistance.
• Small business loans, Atlanta leverage loan fund, developer loan assistance.

IDEA: We need to put all of the incentive and assistance programs in a database that’s searchable by criteria.
 
Read more here (est. read time 12 mins)
 
 

"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."

— Martin Luther King Jr.

After Elon Musk made his bold predictions of producing a fleet of “robo-taxis” by the end of next year, Ford decided to make its ambitious move in the electric car space.  Ford agreed to invest $500 million in the Plymouth, Mich. based startup named Rivian.  Rivian was just in the headlines in February for raising $700 million led by Amazon.  Rivian essentially raised over $1 Billion in 12 months.
 
The crazy part is that Rivian just showed the vehicle for the first time in late 2018 at the LA Auto Show.  There are strategic benefits for both Ford and Rivian with this round of funding.  Ford’s stock has been down 9% since Jim Hackett became CEO two years ago.  Ford is expected to give Q1 earnings today, so we’ll see if their announcement from yesterday moves the market.  Rivian gets the advantage of Ford’s 116-year knowledge base on scaling manufacturing and delivering cars on time (slight shot fired at Elon).  All in all, I can’t wait to see what kind of vehicles $1 billion produces.

Takeaway: Listen, I don't work on Wallstreet, so I'm not going to tell you what to do with your money, but my money is going to start doing more research around other companies that support the autonomous vehicle industry. Ford stock jumped a little bit today, and it'll be interesting to see what they report tomorrow. 

Read more here (est read time 4 mins).
 

“Innovation is the calling card of the future."

— Anna Eshoo

I saw a lot of posts on IG celebrating 420, the great green rush of cannabis continues to boom and is expected to be a legal $20 billion industry by 2020.  There’s not a shortage of people trying to get into this industry, but there is a shortage of people trying to get prisoners out for petty possession charges.  Ben and Jerry’s is here to help.  Yes, the ice cream company.
 
The day before 420 they posted an article “This 4/20, Let’s Be Blunt About Justice."  In partnership with Color Of Change, they started a campaign to help sell Congress on expunging records and giving pardons to anyone whose only crime was the possession of marijuana.  Cities like San Francisco and Seattle are already taking action, but we can do more. 
 
#FACTS

• 2001-2010 more than 8 million weed arrest (88% for possession)
• Blacks were 3.73 times more likely to be arrested than whites
• Legalization hasn’t slowed arrests or racial disparities
  • Alaska, black people are being arrested ten times more than whites
  • DC four times more
  • Colorado three times 

But meanwhile, you have companies like Medmen, Canopy Growth, and Acreage Holdings that are printing money.  Acreage Holdings even convinced the former Speaker of The House, John Boehner, to join the board.  He may have changed his position on marijuana, but his mind is still in the same place it was while in office.  He said “I don't have any regrets at all," Boehner said. "I was opposed to the use of it. The whole criminal justice part of this, frankly, it never crossed my mind."

Read more here (est read time 3 mins)

"There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of justice."
 

— Montesquieu
 

Positive Stress
 
Have you ever heard of eustress?  I hadn’t until a couple of days ago.  Its suppose to help you work through stress in a more positive way.  As an entrepreneur, your stress levels naturally fill all facets of your life from family, health, and business.  If you’re an entrepreneur, you should be willing to try anything to keep you going, including positive stress.  Here are some tips from the article.

• Reframe the physical symptoms
• Harness the power of stress (that old saying “What doesn’t kill me…)
• Focus on what you can actually change

Read more here (est read time 7 mins).

The deepest fear we have, 'the fear beneath all fears,' is the fear of not measuring up, the fear of judgment. It's this fear that creates the stress and depression of everyday life.
 

— Dean Kamen

How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.

— Robert G. Allen

Black Entrepreneur Teaches Youth About Business Through Board Game

Entrepreneurship education prepares students to identify and address challenges and opportunities.  This allows them to apply those skillsets to whatever they want to do in the future. 

Learn more here.