CEO of @semafor, Former CEO of Bloomberg Media / Atlantic Media / The Atlantic / The Week, and Founder of Quartz / Breaking Media / New Economy Forum
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Articles by Justin B. Smith
Congressional District 22 candidate Kaysia Earley says legal experience and community service prepared her to fight for South Florida
Democratic congressional candidate Kaysia Earley says her campaign for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District is built around a philosophy she has carried from the courtroom into the community: Leaders must know how to serve before they can lead.
Angie Nixon Says Her Community Organizing and Legislative Experience Can Bring ‘People Powered’ Leadership to the U.S. Senate
Florida state Rep. Angie Nixon does not describe herself as a traditional politician. She calls herself a community organizer and public servant who wants working families to have a direct role in shaping federal policy. During an interview on That Part Podcast, Nixon said the person voters see on the campaign trail is the same wife, mother, small business owner and organizer her family and community see every day. “I don’t consider myself a politician,” Nixon said.
Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell Says His Community Roots and Business Experience Can Bring ‘Real Leadership’ to Florida’s 20th Congressional District
For decades, Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell has been known as a Miami hip hop pioneer, businessman, youth football coach and outspoken defender of free expression. Now, he wants voters to see another side of his legacy: a community builder prepared to represent Florida’s 20th Congressional District in Washington. During an interview on That Part Podcast, Campbell said his path into politics did not begin with a campaign.
Dr. Rudolph Moise Says His Medical, Military and Business Experience Can Bring ‘First Class’ Leadership to Florida’s 24th Congressional District
Dr. Rudolph “Rudy” Moise has spent decades moving between examination rooms, military service, business and community work. Now, he says that experience has prepared him to represent Florida’s 24th Congressional District. During an interview on That Part Podcast, Moise described himself as a Haitian immigrant who came to the United States with little more than a determination to build a better life. He went on to become a physician, attorney, entrepreneur and retired Air Force Reserve colonel.
Florida U.S. Senate Voter Guide: Meet the Candidates in the 2026 Special Election
Florida voters will head to the polls Aug. 18 to select the Democratic and Republican nominees in the state’s 2026 special election for the U.S. Senate. The statewide race follows the resignation of former U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who left the Senate after becoming U.S. secretary of state. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed then-Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to temporarily fill the vacancy in January 2025. Moody is seeking to retain the seat but faces three challengers in the Republican primary.
Florida Congressional District 20 Voting Guide: Meet the 2026 Candidates
Florida’s 20th Congressional District is entering a pivotal election season, with Democratic, Republican and independent candidates seeking to represent communities across Broward and Palm Beach counties. The Aug. 18, 2026, primary is about more than deciding who advances to the general election.
Florida Congressional District 22 Voting Guide: Meet the 2026 Candidates
Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District is entering a pivotal election season, with Democratic and Republican candidates competing to represent communities across Broward, Collier, Hendry and Palm Beach counties. The Aug. 18, 2026, primary is an opportunity for voters to decide who they believe is prepared to address the issues affecting their everyday lives, including affordability, property insurance, housing, health care, education, immigration and public safety.
State House District 108 Candidate Daphne Campbell Says Experience and Accessibility Remain at the Center of Her Campaign
The former state senator discusses her return to the campaign trail, her legislative record and why she believes House District 108 needs experienced leadership in Tallahassee. Former State Sen. Daphne Campbell says her decision to run for Florida House District 108 is driven by a continued commitment to serving the community she has represented throughout her career.
Miami Gardens City Council Seat 2 Candidate Paul Wilson Says Protecting Quality of Life Starts with Investing in the Next Generation
The lifelong Miami Gardens resident discusses community pride, public service and why he believes thoughtful leadership can help shape the city’s future. For Paul Wilson, running for Miami Gardens City Council Seat 2 is about giving back to the city that helped shape his life. During an interview on the Can We Talk Podcast by Hy-Lo News, Wilson described his campaign as one rooted in community, legacy and a commitment to preserving the quality of life for residents across Miami Gardens.
Miami-Dade County School Board District 1 Candidate James Wright Says Students Deserve Stronger Academic Support and Greater Community Investment
The educator and community advocate discusses improving student achievement, supporting teachers, and strengthening partnerships between schools and families. James Wright believes the future of Miami-Dade County begins in its classrooms.
Shevrin Jones says Affordability, Healthcare and Accountability are at the Center of his Bid for Florida’s 24th Congressional District
The state senator discusses his path from the classroom to public office, his legislative record and why he believes affordability, healthcare and transportation are the defining issues facing South Florida. Florida Sen. Shevrin Jones says his campaign for Florida’s 24th Congressional District is rooted in the same commitment to service that first led him from the classroom into public office.
Jean Monestime seeks Florida’s 24th District Seat with a Focus on Economic Opportunity
The former county leader says expanding economic opportunity, protecting immigrant communities and a lifetime of public service have prepared him to represent South Florida in Congress. Former Miami-Dade County Commission Chairman Jean Monestime says his bid for Florida’s 24th Congressional District is less about returning to politics and more about continuing a lifetime of public service. “The seat itself didn’t pull me back.
Congressional Candidate Kendrick Meek Jr. says South Florida Needs a New Generation of Leadership to Tackle Affordability Crisis
The candidate for Florida’s 24th Congressional District discusses carrying a family legacy of public service, his federal policy experience and why he believes younger leadership is needed to address housing costs, transportation and immigration. Florida’s 24th Congressional District candidate Kendrick Meek Jr. says voters shouldn’t mistake his age for inexperience.
State Senate District 34 Candidate Christine Sanon-Jules says Education and Community Advocacy have Prepared her to Serve in Tallahassee
The Democratic candidate discusses her background as an educator, her commitment to public service and why she believes District 34 needs leadership rooted in the community. For Christine Sanon-Jules, public service has always been centered on education, advocacy and creating opportunities for families.
Joy L. Jackson Brings 51 Years in the Classroom to Crowded Miami-Dade School Board District 1 Race
The retired educator and pastor says student attendance, teacher retention, stronger parent support, and renewed confidence in public schools would anchor her service. After 51 years inside Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Joy L. Jackson says she is not finished serving students, families or educators. The recently retired teacher and pastor is now running for the open District 1 seat on the Miami-Dade County School Board. Jackson is one of eight candidates on the Aug.
Rod Mack Says His Community Roots and Financial Experience Can Bring ‘Real Leadership’ to Miami Gardens Council Seat 4
The youth football leader and finance professional laid out plans for safer neighborhoods, responsible development, stadium traffic relief and long-delayed improvements at Myrtle Grove Park. For Roderick “Rod” Mack, the race for Miami Gardens City Council Residential Area Seat 4 is personal. He grew up in the city, attended local schools, and built much of his public identity around mentoring young people through youth football.
Mykita Cherry-Prime Centers Housing, Education, and Accessibility in Bid for Miami Gardens Council Seat 4
The veteran educator says years of community advocacy, not election-season promises, are the foundation of her campaign. Mykita Cherry-Prime wants voters to see her as more than a candidate appearing during election season. The longtime educator and community advocate says she has spent years doing the work and intends to bring that same consistency to Miami Gardens City Council Residential Area Seat 4. Cherry-Prime is one of three candidates seeking the nonpartisan seat in the Aug.
Angela Wynter Says Listening, Affordable Housing and Small-Business Growth Will Guide Her Miami Gardens Council Seat 4 Bid
The longtime business owner and educator laid out a neighborhood-focused platform built around development, cleaner streets, traffic relief and accessible leadership. Angela Maria Wynter says leadership begins with listening. The Jamaican-born small business owner, educator and longtime Miami Gardens resident is asking voters to send her to City Hall, where she says she would focus on affordable housing, neighborhood cleanliness, public safety and growing the city’s business base.
Partner View / Hyundai’s Euisun Chung on scaling American investment Original
Leadership in View The global economy is entering a period in which many of the most consequential decisions are being made inside companies rather than governments. From supply chains and energy systems to the future of mobility, global CEOs are navigating forces reshaping the world economy in real time. I recently sat down with one of the leaders helping shape that future.
Orange Blossom Classic Kickoff Press Conference Sets the Tone for 2026 Match in Miami Gardens
March 25, 2026 was a day filled with community, culture, and opportunity as the Orange Blossom Classic returned to center stage with its official kickoff press conference at the Miami Gardens Municipal Complex. The morning opened with remarks from Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris, who set the tone by welcoming guests, teams, and stakeholders into the city with pride and purpose. “I welcome you all to the city of Miami Gardens.
Guest notebook: The case for professional local government management in Alabama - Birmingham Business Journal
"With so many incredible professional local government managers ready and willing to serve their communities – has the council-manager form of government not taken off in Alabama," a guest columnist asks.
Goodwin Advises FalconX on Expansion of Global Derivatives Footprint with Acquisition of Arbelos Markets
The Goodwin Technology M&A and Digital Currency & Blockchain teams advised FalconX on its acquisition of Arbelos Markets, a trading firm specializing in crypto derivatives. FalconX operates FalconX Bravo Inc., the first CFTC approved swap dealer focused on cryptocurrency derivatives, and this acquisition further reinforces FalconX’s commitment to expanding its derivatives business and strengthens its position as one of the largest crypto derivatives dealers in the market.
Two Years of Semafor
When we announced on January 1 of 2022 that we planned to launch a new global news organization, it sounded a bit crazy — even to us. Skeptics, reasonably, questioned our grandiose goals: To fight polarization in a divided era and to bring a global lens to a splintering world — not to mention building a thriving business in a gloomy industry.
Lessons from the "Crush!" iPad Pro Ad
Hugh Grant called the commercial a "destruction of human experience," while Reed Morano, director of The Handmaid's Tale, advised Apple to "read the room." While members of the creative audience questioned the originality of the concept, drawing comparisons to an ad for LG's Renoir 8MP camera-phone. Even brands like Arcade1Up and Samsung took the opportunity to poke fun at Apple's misstep, with Samsung's response ad highlighting that "Creativity cannot be crushed".
Should Charitable Donations Be Tax Deductible?
Associate professor of humanitarian studies and business at Royal Roads University Charitable tax deductions largely benefit wealthy people and businesses. These days fewer Canadians are making small charitable donations, with older and wealthier donors offsetting this. The top individual donors in Canada have incomes over $150,000. They need the financial boost offered by tax breaks not nearly as much as people who don’t have money to give in the first place.
Welcome To The Post-Social Media Era In News
A year ago, we set out to invent a new global news brand designed to address the three big pain points in global news — bias and polarization, information overload, and the lack of global perspectives. We also talked then about building for a world after social media. That has arrived quicker than we expected.
There is a tradition of drag in the military
As has been amply documented elsewhere, the very same conservatives suddenly and alarmingly concerned about drag story times have been awfully quiet about the many veterans among them, most of whom have either dressed in drag or had brothers-in-arms do it for morale and entertainment. (Think World War II theater performances in which men would dress as women.) I know, because I’m an initiated and accepted chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy (though hardly conservative).
2022 Year-End Tax Planning
CONTRIBUTED BY JUSTIN SMITH, CPA ALABAMA — With 2022 quickly coming to an end, the time has come to prepare for the upcoming tax filing season and consider any last-minute moves to help put you in the best position possible. April 18, 2023, is the tax filing deadline. It can be extended through Oct. 15, but extending your filing deadline does not extend your payment deadline.
How Many Kids Does DMX Have? The Truth About DMX's Children And His Surprising Net Worth
The hip-hop world was rocked by the recent news that DMX went into a vegetative state. The Grammy-nominated rapper has suffered from drug addiction throughout his career. He’s also had some public legal battles, landing him in jail multiple times. As another challenging chapter unfolds, many fans are wondering about DMX’s children. How many does he have, and how has a rollercoaster life impacted DMX’s net worth? Gossip Cop did some digging to uncover the truth about DMX’s kids and net worth.
The Truth About Kelly Clarkson’s Divorce
Kelly Clarkson made reality TV history when she won the first-ever season of American Idol back in 2002. Since then, she’s achieved a ton of success as a singer and host of her own daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show. For seven years, the Grammy award-winning singer had a picture-perfect life with music manager Brandon Blackstock. But over the last year, Clarkson’s divorce has clouded her world.
Are my small business expenses deductible?
Contributed by Justin Smith, CPA Many taxpayers own small businesses, either as fulltime jobs or possibly as side hustles to their regular employment. If you fall into either category, you need to understand the basics of what is and is not deductible for a small business. First, many business owners will report income and expenses on Schedule C, which attaches to Form 1040.
Impassable Fears, by Gravetemple
If you like Gravetemple, you may also like:
Small business tax deadline is March 15
By Justin Smith Many taxpayers own and operate small businesses as a full-time job or as a side job to make extra money. April 15 is well known as Tax Day, but many other dates are relevant as well. The due date for filing taxes (but not paying them) can be extended to Oct. 15, but the Partnership and S Corporation deadline is March 15 (and can be extended to Oct. 15). If you file as a Sole Proprietor for your small business or side gig, the normal April 15 deadline still applies.
Put your tax refund to work for you
By Justin Smith The Internal Revenue Service reported approximately 49.8 million returns have been filed through the end of February, which tracks similarly to the same period in 2019. Of the returns filed to date, 37.4 million will receive refunds worth $117 billion, and averaging $3,125 per return. Further, 35 million of the 37 million returns filed have elected for a direct deposit.
Tax credits boost your refund
By Justin Smith Tax credits are different, and often more valuable, than tax deductions because they are actual reductions in your income tax due. For example, a taxpayer in a 12% marginal tax bracket only reduces his tax bill by $120 with a $1,000 deduction. A taxpayer with a $1,000 tax credit reduces his tax bill by the full $1,000. Child Tax Credit One of the most family-friendly tax benefits is the Child Tax Credit.
Key tax deductions for this year’s returns
By Justin Smith The 2019 standard deduction increased to $12,200 for single filers, $18,350 for heads of household and $24,400 for married filers. The standard deduction is an amount of money, based on your filing status, that you earn “tax free” each year. The IRS has increased those amounts again for 2020, so fewer taxpayers will itemize their deductions going forward. However, millions of taxpayers will still itemize deductions.
Key documents to maximize your 2019 refund
By Justin Smith The 2020 tax filing season has opened! The Internal Revenue Service expects more than 150 million returns will be filed this year, and almost 75% of those are likely to receive a tax refund. The IRS indicated that the average tax refund in 2019 was $2,869, and statistics should be published soon to provide information on what 2020 tax refunds look like.
Individual mandate is gone, the new deal with Form W-4
By Justin Smith The 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act repealed the penalty for not having medical insurance all year (the “individual mandate”), but it did not go into effect until 2019. That means there is no tax penalty to be paid this year if you were not covered! The 2018 penalty was $695 per adult and $347.50 per child on your tax return, or 2% of your annual income (whichever was greater).
Tax considerations for self-employed individuals
By Justin Smith I have many clients who are either fully self-employed or have a side business in addition to their fulltime job. If you fall into this category, you may have special tax considerations that may enhance your tax return’s complexity. The IRS generally considers taxpayers to be self-employed if they carry on a trade or business as a sole proprietor or independent contractor (as opposed to an employee), are a member of a partnership or conduct a part-time or side business.
Your child should invest in a Roth IRA
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer Parents desire to leave their children better off than they were themselves. That simple wish has long been part of the American dream. Most of us will spend many years and decades building wealth, with the hope of having enough remaining at the end of our lives to leave to the next generation. However, there is a simpler way to build your kids’ wealth – a Roth IRA.
Year End Tax Planning Tips and Information
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer With 2019 nearly over, it’s time to prepare for filing your taxes. Let’s look at a number of tax tips that you should keep in mind before the year draws to a close. First, defer bonuses or other income into 2020 if possible. The additional income may push you into a higher tax bracket and increase your tax bill. Also, the IRS adjusts tax brackets slightly upward each year to account for inflation.
A student’s voice: Violence is a crisis for black teens in Alabama.
Opinion Updated Oct 09, 2019; Posted Oct 09, 2019 By Justin Smith | Volunteer Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America As a student gun safety activist, I have been heartbroken by the series of shootings that have injured high school students like me in the past month. Those shootings remind us of a fact that we don’t talk about enough: In Alabama and across the country, gun violence has a disproportionate impact on children and teens of color.
Compact by design: riding the VAT threshold
If you’re a believer in the importance of entrepreneurism there’s something distinctly depressing about the idea of businesses deliberately limiting their growth to avoid breaching an arbitrary target. And yet that’s exactly the kind of behaviour the UK’s VAT regime promotes. As forum user STDFR33 once put it: “If you can't sell more, sell less, and remain under the threshold.” The UK’s VAT registration threshold, at £85,000, is the highest in the European Union.
Tax season wrap-up: It’s never too early to start planning for next year
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer As this year’s regular tax filing season wraps up (don’t worry late filers – Lee County residents still have until July 31, and you have until September 15/October 15 for business/personal returns), there are several key items to think about to get ready for next year. First, as I wrote last week, make the best use of your options if you owe money to the government.
Inspiring girls to pursue the sciences
It was wonderful to see, in your April 2 Neighbors section, an above-the-fold photograph of the Boonsboro High School Physics Olympics team who had recently won first place in competition. Joyfully, I observed that three of the five olympians are young women. The photo and their achievement is a bracing reminder of the critical but too often unheralded contribution of women in STEM studies and career fields.
How you should handle large tax bills: don’t ignore your taxes; they aren’t going away
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer No one likes to hear they have a large tax bill due at the end of the year. As an accountant, I do not look forward to communicating large tax bills to a client. However, once your tax return is prepared, completed and filed with a payment due, you have several options available for consideration. The first option is to pay the full amount due in a single payment.
Lee County receives tax filing deadline extension
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer President Donald Trump recently approved a declaration naming Lee County as a disaster area after the severe weather and tornadoes that devastated our area on March 3. In line with that declaration, the Internal Revenue Service announced it would postpone tax filing deadline for individuals and business owners in Lee County. The normal filing deadline for individuals is April 15 (with a six-month extension until Oct. 15 upon request).
How will you spend your tax refund? Consider your windfall to be found money; invest it strategically
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer The Internal Revenue Service reported that 67.7 million individual tax returns have been filed through March 8. Of those, approximately 53.4 million tax returns had a refund. To date, $161 billion in refunds have been issued averaging $3,008 per return. Interestingly, the IRS reports this is nearly unchanged from 2018, when 55.3 million refunds were issued, totaling $166 billion and averaging $3,004 per return through the first week of March.
Self-employment business tax considerations: don’t miss out on tax deductions for business owners
By Justin Smith For the Opelika Observer Do you own a small business, either as your full-time job or as a side hustle? If so, taxes for your business are generally covered under self-employment tax laws. The IRS defines a trade or business as an activity carried out with the objective of making a profit. You do not actually have to make a profit in order to be in a trade or business as long as there is a profit motive, with the reasonable expectations of profits at some point in the future.
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