Fashion

How Stacey Abrams Is Turning the Tide in Georgia

Whether it’s Biden or Trump in the White House, Abrams has won….

Georgia hasn’t given its 16 electoral votes to a Democratic president since Bill Clinton in 1992. But 28 years later, the reliably red Southern state is poised to go blue, in large part because of the visionary efforts of Stacey Abrams.

The Yale Law School graduate, tax attorney, and former Georgia state representative became a rising star when she ran for governor of her home state in 2018, but she also lost that election under a cloud of racially-motivated voter suppression to Brian Kemp. According to an Associated Press investigation on the eve of the election, Kemp, then Georgia’s secretary of state, mass-canceled more than a million voter registrations between 2012 and 2018, and, in the run-up to the tight gubernatorial race, froze an estimated 53,000 registrations, a majority of them belonging to African-American voters.

When Abrams lost by just 55,000 votes, she told Vogue: “I sat shiva for 10 days. Then I started plotting.”

Abrams had long rejected the oversimplification of her state as solely populated by white conservatives. She’d advocated to turn out and protect the vote in Georgia for years: In 2013, as a member of the state legislature, she created a voter-registration nonprofit called the New Georgia Project, which completed 86,000 new voter applications. But after her 2018 loss, she doubled down and became one of the country’s preeminent voting rights activists, launching the nonprofit Fair Fight to combat voter suppression. Riding the wave of support—celebrity, even—she won during the governor’s race (Oprah and John Legend campaigned for her), Abrams traversed the state, hoping to replicate the electoral feats she achieved in her own bid, in which she tripled Latino, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander voter turnout and doubled youth participation in Georgia. As Vogue noted in its profile of Abrams last year: “She inspired 1.2 million Black Democrats in Georgia to vote for her (more than the total number of Democratic gubernatorial voters in 2014)” and “gained the highest percentage of the state’s white Democratic voters in a generation.”

“We didn’t fail,” Abrams told one consortium of voters. “In the state of Georgia, we transformed our electorate.”

That work continued, to triumphant effect, into 2020. Building on the efforts of New Georgia Project and others, Abrams and Fair Fight registered a staggering estimated 800,000 new voters since 2018 and helped squash suppressive policies like “exact match,” which had required registrations to precisely match voters’ licenses down to the hyphen, or else risk being tossed out. Abrams told NPR on November 2: “45 percent of those new voters are under the age of 30. 49 percent are people of color. And all 800,000 came on the rolls after November ’18, which means these are voters who weren’t eligible to vote for me but are eligible to participate in this upcoming election.”

They all represent an x-factor as the gap between Biden and Trump narrows and Georgia could flip from red to blue, representing part of the path to a Joe Biden victory. In no uncertain terms, if Georgia clinches Biden the presidency, he has Abrams (who had been a reported VP contender) to thank. The Twitterati is already buzzing with suggestions that Abrams should be awarded with a powerful intra-party post. “If she wants it, Stacey Abrams should be the next DNC Chair,” organizer Rachel R. Rodriguez said.

Others noted that Abrams’s story is political Shakespeare for the way she turned her personal electoral loss into a larger victory; the former candidate who personally encountered racially driven voter suppression rising up to make sure that, next time, people of color could vote in historic numbers. “Can Stacey Abrams Save Democracy?” asked the headline of Vogue’s 2019 profile. I think we have our answer.

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Business

Kanye West’s Yeezy Brand Boosts Net Worth to $1.2 Billion

Kanye West, who now goes by Ye, is a well-known artist and entrepreneur who has recently reclaimed his status as a billionaire, with a net worth estimated at $1.2 billion. Much of his wealth comes from his music, but the biggest boost has come from his brand, Yeezy, which has changed the sneaker and fashion landscape. His journey from a famous rapper to a major player in the fashion world showcases his business talent and unique ability to connect with culture, allowing him to create a brand that holds significant financial value.

1. The Rise of Yeezy

Kanye started the Yeezy brand in 2009 through a partnership with Adidas. Over the years, it has become one of the most desirable and trendy sneaker and streetwear brands globally. What sets Yeezy apart is Kanye’s choice to take full ownership of the brand, allowing him to direct its creative vision completely. Unlike many other celebrities who collaborate with existing brands, he aimed to build something new that challenges the fashion industry’s norms.

Yeezy’s designs are noted for their simple yet modern look, and items like the Yeezy Boost 350, Yeezy 700, and Yeezy Foam Runner are now considered iconic. The brand’s success can be attributed to its scarcity, limited releases, and Kanye’s powerful presence on social media. These elements have helped Yeezy reach mainstream popularity, turning it into a symbol of luxury and style.

Check out this article: Kanye West Wants “Wizards Only” For His Yeezy AI Team

2. The Financial Growth of Yeezy

Kanye has achieved a net worth of $1.2 billion mainly because of Yeezy’s impressive profits. After teaming up with Adidas, Kanye struck a deal that allowed him to keep a large slice of the profits, a rare arrangement in celebrity collaborations. As Yeezy has thrived, so has Kanye’s wealth.

In recent years, Yeezy has been valued at around $3 billion, and Kanye is believed to own anywhere from 80% to 100% of the brand. His decision to end his partnership with Adidas solidified his control, ensuring that all profits from Yeezy’s sales go directly to him. The brand’s global popularity, high prices, and limited releases have helped Yeezy dominate the sneaker market and attract wealthy customers.

Yeezy’s shoe collection brings in hundreds of millions of dollars annually, and the clothing line, including oversized jackets and sweatshirts, adds even more value. Fans of the brand, including many celebrities, keep demand high for these stylish and premium-priced items. Yeezy’s success has caught the eye of not just fashion fans but also investors and market experts. Despite some controversies surrounding Kanye’s behavior, Yeezy has consistently generated large amounts of revenue, making it a key part of his wealth.

Check out this article: Kim Kardashian Reportedly Weighing Legal Action to Strip Kanye West of Joint Custody

3. Other Sources of Wealth

While Yeezy is the main contributor to Kanye’s fortune, it’s not his only source of income. His music catalog, which includes influential albums, also plays a significant role. He earns money through licensing deals, royalties from his music, and live performances, providing him with a steady income that complements his profits from Yeezy and other ventures.

Kanye has also invested in real estate and technology, adding to his financial portfolio. Other business projects, like his Donda brand and his earlier work with Gap, have contributed to his wealth, although they haven’t been as successful as Yeezy. His ventures into technology, particularly in artificial intelligence and digital media, could also provide substantial returns in the future.

4. The Power of Kanye’s Personal Brand

A vital aspect of Kanye West’s financial success is the strength of his brand. Known for his bold creativity, outspoken personality, and often controversial statements, he has created an image that resonates with many supporters and critics. This unique presence has only enhanced his cultural influence, making him an important figure in music and fashion.

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Artist Spotlight

How Rare Beauty Propelled Selena Gomez to Billionaire Status

Selena Gomez is a talented entertainer known for her work as a singer, actress, and producer, and she has recently reached an impressive milestone by becoming a billionaire. Much of her financial success comes from her cosmetics brand, Rare Beauty, which has quickly become popular since it launched in September 2020. The brand stands out for its dedication to inclusivity, mental health support, and clever marketing strategies.

1. The Idea Behind Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty was created to challenge traditional beauty standards and celebrate individuality. Selena wanted to build a brand that offered quality makeup while encouraging self-love and acceptance. The name “Rare” is inspired by her third studio album.

A key part of Rare Beauty’s mission is to be inclusive. When it launched, the brand offered an impressive variety of 48 shades of foundation and concealer, catering to many skin tones. The packaging also considers accessibility, making it easier for people with disabilities to use the products.

Check out this article: How Rich Is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in 2025?

2. Smart Marketing and Social Media Success

Selena took full advantage of her large social media presence to promote Rare Beauty. With over 400 million followers on Instagram, she shares her personal stories and shows how to use the products, which helps build a strong connection with her fans. This engagement has created a loyal customer base.

Rare Beauty also effectively utilizes social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, gaining significant attention and making it a popular choice among beauty lovers. One of their hit products, a liquid blush, sold over 3.1 million units in just a year, highlighting the success of their online marketing.

3. Strong Financial Growth

The brand’s financial success has been impressive, generating about $350 million in revenue in 2023, a 50% increase compared to the previous year. By May 2024, Rare Beauty’s value had grown to over $2 billion, showing its strong place in the market.

This financial success has also boosted Selena’s personal wealth. In September 2024, she became a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion, primarily thanks to her ownership of Rare Beauty. At 32 years old, she is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires in the U.S.

Check out this article: Diddy Salutes Kanye West for Unwavering Support in Emotional Phone Call

4. Media Attention and Public Interest

The rise of Rare Beauty and Selena’s billionaire status has been widely reported in the media. A notable article from Bloomberg discussed the brand’s strategies and how they’ve resonated with consumers. The piece received extensive coverage, reaching over 250 media outlets and generating more than 1.8 billion impressions, highlighting the significant impact of her success.

5. A Commitment to Mental Health

In addition to its commercial achievements, Rare Beauty focuses on mental health. The brand has created the Rare Impact Fund, promising to donate 1% of sales to mental health initiatives, aiming to raise $100 million over the next ten years. This effort aligns with Selena’s commitment to mental health awareness, which many consumers appreciate in a brand.

Selena Gomez’s journey from entertainer to entrepreneur illustrates how she combines her values and understanding of the market with a genuine connection to her audience. Rare Beauty’s rapid growth shows a strong demand for inclusive and socially responsible beauty products. Selena’s story highlights the new wave of celebrity entrepreneurs, where authenticity and advocacy are just as important as the products they sell.

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