By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Nickelodeon is letting kids’ voices be heard this election season with the return of its Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” poll and a brand-new special debuting Monday, Oct. 28. Beginning today, kids can cast their vote for who they want to be the next president at kidspickthepresident.com. The results of the poll will be revealed during the half-hour special, hosted by Nate Burleson (CBS Mornings, NFL Slimetime, The NFL Today) and his 14-year-old daughter, Mia Burleson (NFL Slimetime). The Kids Pick the President “Kids’ Vote” is an informal non-scientific poll, meant for entertainment purposes only.

The Kids Pick the President special will premiere Monday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), on Nickelodeon and be available day and date on Paramount+, Nickelodeon YouTube, Nick.com and the Nickelodeon Pluto TV channels (Nick Pluto, 90’s Kids TV, Totally Teen). The special will also be available the following day on Nick On Demand.

“The opportunity to host the Kids Pick the President special, alongside my daughter Mia, has opened up our whole family to conversations about the importance of standing up for what we believe in and the power of democracy,” said Nate Burleson. “As parents of three, it has always been a priority for me and my wife Atoya to teach our kids that their voices matter—that they not only need to get involved, but stay involved with the issues and topics they care about.”

“We believe kids of all ages deserve to be seen and heard, and we’re proud of the role that our Kids Pick the President initiative has played in elevating their voices around important issues in their lives for the last nine election cycles,” said Jean Margaret Smith, Senior Vice President,  Nickelodeon Public Affairs. “Through the personal stories of the families featured in the Kids Pick the President special, we hope to empower kids to champion the causes they care about, and inspire them to impact change in their communities and beyond.”

After kids cast their vote for who they want to be the next President of the United States at kidspickthepresident.com, they can download an “I Voted” badge, and learn more about the candidates and electoral process. To further support family conversations in the home, Nickelodeon has partnered with NAMLE (The National Association of Media Literacy Educators) on a guide to provide information and resources for parents around media literacy that will also be available on the site.

Told from a uniquely kid-led POV, the half-hour Kids Pick the President special will platform the issues young people care about most in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Kids from all sides of the political spectrum will share their personal stories and opinions on topics, including the economy, future of AI and technology, and health.

Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President is part of Our World, the brand’s global prosocial initiative to inspire kids and provide them with tools to activate their individual and collective agency. Nickelodeon’s Our World is supported by a coalition of partners, including 4-H, Afterschool Alliance, Ashoka, The Aspen Institute, Association of Children’s Museums, ChangeX and Jack & Jill of America, Inc. Caregivers and kids can access resources and more information at www.nickourworld.com.

Kids Pick the President is produced by Nickelodeon Productions and overseen by Ashley Kaplan, Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon Unscripted & Digital Franchise Studio; Paul J Medford, Vice President, Unscripted Current Series; Luke Wahl, Vice President, Unscripted Creative; and Jana Blumenthal Vice President, Production. Luke Wahl and Ben Plumier serve as Executive Producers.

Over its 45-year history, Nickelodeon has built a legacy of addressing important social issues and galvanizing kids through thoughtful initiatives and programs. Whether encouraging kids to be agents of change through The Big Help and Together for Good; encouraging them to get active through the Let’s Just Play grants program and Worldwide Day of Play; educating kids about the electoral process and its significance through Kids Pick the President; showcasing tangible steps kids can take to help the environment through The Big Green Help; celebrating kids and teens who are going above and beyond to help others through the Nickelodeon HALO Awards; or preparing preschoolers for Kindergarten through Beyond the Backpack, Nickelodeon has inspired millions of kids across the globe to take action to improve their communities, their lives and the world around them.

Nickelodeon, now in its 45th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon is a part of Paramount’s (Nasdaq: PRA, PARAA) global portfolio of multimedia entertainment brands.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES – Twenty years after sparking a national dialogue on systemic inequality, Tavis Smiley has updated and released “The Covenant with Black America.” The recently released book, “The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later,” maintains the book’s original sense of urgency while weaving in a powerful blend of historical insights and contemporary voices. Initially published in 2004, “The Covenant with Black America” quickly became a  No. 1 New York Times bestseller by critically addressing the issues facing America’s Black community and pushing the nation to confront deep-rooted disparities with extraordinary determination.

“The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” revisits and updates the hard-hitting social commentary of its original version. The new edition intertwines the original essays with powerful new contributions from today’s leading voices. Despite notable progress, disparities in health, housing, justice, and economic opportunities continue to impact Black communities disproportionately.

“At this critical time in our history, we must confront the forces of extremism and extend the rich tradition of deep democracy in America as we expand justice, equity, and freedom for all,” stated Tavis Smiley. “The new edition provocatively covers today’s most pressing issues and offers tangible solutions to some of this country’s most persistent problems.”

The book’s ten covenants serve as a call to action and a reminder that the path to equality is far from over. Each of the original covenants has been updated with the latest data and analysis, revealing both the progress and the troubling persistence of inequality.

“Most importantly, the new edition includes a poignant essay on the alarming rise of homelessness within our community, where Black men have become the predominant face of this epidemic in America,” added Smiley.

With a fresh foreword by Rev. William J. Barber, II and a special afterword by the esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni, “The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” is a testament to the enduring spirit of advocacy and a beacon of light and hope for future generations.  The book invites us all to partake in the crucial work of reshaping America into a more equitable society, echoing the timeless truth that our collective liberation uplifts our nation.

“The Covenant with Black America: 20 Years Later” is now available at local bookstores and online. For more information about this anniversary edition, please visit Hay House Publishing or contact Matt Klink, matt@klinkcampaigns.com.

About Tavis Smiley:

Tavis Smiley is a host and managing editor of the nationally syndicated radio program and podcast “Tavis Smiley,” which is produced and distributed by SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. Tavis has authored or edited more than 20 books and has received numerous awards for his work championing the causes of equality and justice. In 2024, Smiley received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, he received the highest honor in the talk radio industry, the coveted “Freedom of Speech” award, and presently appears on the “Heavy Hundred” list of the “100 Most Important Talk Radio Show Hosts” in America. Since June 2021, Smiley has served as Chief Visionary Officer for his radio station, KBLA Talk 1580, where he continues to lead national conversations on systemic inequality and social justice.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Recently, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus released its new corporate accountability report, “What Good Looks Like”: A Corporate Accountability Report on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – a first-of-its-kind report to hold Fortune 500 companies — across all sectors — accountable to their diversity, equity, and inclusion commitments and racial equity investments post-George Floyd.

The new report commissioned by the CBC finds that the majority of Fortune 500 companies that responded to a survey by the CBC remain committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace despite right wing attacks in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action in the landmark Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in June 2023. Since the ruling, diversity initiatives have come under attack in corporate America, on college campuses in nearly 30 states, and in federal programs and venture capital firms for Black and minority businesses, despite research from institutions such as the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, which proves that 78 percent of Americans agree that corporate America should reflect the racial diversity of the American population, and McKinsey & Company showing that companies with racially diverse executive teams outperform their peers in profitability by 39 percent.

The report analyzes corporate diversity practices based on data shared with the CBC aggregated by industry according to the Global Industry Classification Standard  (GICS) and the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Of the Fortune 500 companies reflected in the GICS data, a majority have made progress to their commitments to workplace diversity and racial equity.

The report further outlines 12 Best Practices and innovative approaches (or “What Good Looks Like”), taken by companies across various industries to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their workplaces and beyond, which the CBC hopes corporations will use as a standardized tool to strengthen, magnify, and expand diversity, equity, and inclusion practices across industries

The report comes nearly 10 months after the CBC issued its corporate accountability letter in December 2023 in response to the ongoing attacks on diversity initiatives in the private sector. The letter urged corporate America, particularly those in the Fortune 500 who made public pledges to diversity and racial equity post-George Floyd, to stand firm in their commitments and to update congressional members on the progress of their commitments.

Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford offered the following quote:

“The CBC commends corporate leaders who have overwhelmingly reaffirmed their company’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in their business practices and operations, and those who believe, like most Americans, that diversity is a business and talent imperative. We cannot allow a handful of right-wing agitators to bully corporations, and this report offers corporate America a guide to strengthening their diversity practices. This report is the initial step in a strategic effort to ensure the tools of economic opportunity are protected as we work to advance our Black wealth and economic prosperity agenda in the next Congress to close the Black-white wealth gap in America.”

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By BlackPR Wire

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, the second annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF), announced its 2024 festival dates, November 8 – 10th  and  the premiere of the 2024 HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100. (2024 HBCU First LOOK 100)

The HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100 is a curated collective of notable HBCU alumni who are inspiring the next generation of content creators across film, television, and digital platforms. This year’s list includes MSNBC President Rashida Jones (Hampton University); former NFL player and sports commentator Shannon Sharpe (Savannah State University); actress and singer Fantasia Barrino Taylor (Central State); actors Lynn Whitfield (Howard University),  Anthony Anderson (Howard University) and Keisha Knight Pulliam (Spelman College); film, network and studio executives, directors, and producers Will Packer (Florida A&M University), Spike Lee(Morehouse College), Aisha Summers Burke (Howard University), Robert Boyd (Morehouse), and Risha Archibald (Lincoln University); award-winning hairstylist and makeup artist Mia Neal (Jackson State University); stage and media influencer K. J. Rose (Florida A&M University); and many more. The 100 list honorees are invited to “pay it forward” by posting their “I Aspire” message highlighting a movie and/or person who inspired their career and use the hashtag #IAspire2024.

The HBCU First LOOK “I Aspire” 100 list was inspired by the inaugural 2023 HBCU First LOOK Film Festival and Initiative which highlighted the rich culture and diverse talent within the HBCU community.

Following in the footsteps of its inaugural year, which featured a star-studded presentation of the Obamas’ Netflix film, Rustin, the 2nd Annual HBCU First LOOK Film Festival (HBCUFLF) will take place on November 8-10, 2024, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. This year’s HBCU First LOOK Film Festival’s theme: “A Celebration of Black Cinema X Activism will highlight some of Hollywood’s most influential classic films and HBCU alums in arts and entertainment who have built bridges for the next generation.

HBCU First LOOK App will be the one stop source for festival activations that include the announcement of three grand prize winners of the HBCU First LOOK Film Challenge; panel discussions and masterclasses with entertainment industry leaders and filmmakers, film screenings; with interactive Career & Vendor Lounge.

Sponsors and media partners include AARP, Café Mocha Network, HBCUGO.TV, Howard University Department of Television + Film, Howard University Television (WHUT), Howard University Radio Network, and HBCU SiriusXM Channel 142.

For more information, visit HBCUFirstLook.com.

About HBCU First LOOK Film Festival

The HBCU First LOOK Film Festival is inspiring a new generation of minority talent in the film, television, and broadcasting industry by teaching HBCU students practical skills to improve their craft, creating places to showcase their work, and connecting executives and students to a pipeline of talent and career opportunities.

About Miles Ahead Entertainment & Broadcasting

Miles Ahead Entertainment (MAE) is a woman-and minority-owned, MDOT/WOSB certified, global multicultural agency specializing in strategic planning, social media marketing and virtual events, talent acquisition management, concierge sponsorship engagement. Subsidiary Miles Ahead Broadcasting has produced award winning broadcast television and audio productions Café Mocha Radio & TV and Salute Her Awards. MAE’s principal, Sheila Eldridge, is a Howard University, Cathy Hughes School of Communications graduate and has been recognized with NAACP Image Awards, Women In Media Gracie Awards, Telly Award and Living Legends Foundation ‘Entrepreneur’ Award, to name a few.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Washington, D.C. — Climate Power is announcing the launch of its Black Engagement Program, dedicated to advancing conversations about the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Black communities nationwide. A key part of the campaign will be educating Black voters about the stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris’ historic climate record that holds Big Oil accountable and Trump’s dangerous pro-polluter Big Oil agenda.

For the past four years, Climate Power has worked to lead the climate narrative, protect climate progress, and build the political will for more climate action. This work has meant reaching key groups most impacted by the climate crisis, like Black and Latino voters. Through timely research, polling, earned and paid media campaigns, Climate Power has paved the way to make the connection between climate change and its impact on communities of color. 

With an investment of over $10 million, Climate Power’s Black Engagement Program is running a culturally competent and impactful earned and paid media political communications campaign that seeks to ensure climate change and clean energy issues become a key driver for Black voter mobilization in the upcoming 2024 election. 

“Climate change extends beyond the environment and touches nearly every part of Black life in America,” said Markeya Thomas, Climate Power’s Senior Advisor for Black Engagement. “Black communities have long been the bearers of environmental degradation and climate impacts, and we know that Vice President Kamala Harris has a history of delivering on climate progress, from creating environmental justice taskforces to taking on Big Oil for polluting our communities, and casting the deciding vote for the Biden-Harris administration’s clean energy plan. 

“We want to set the record straight. The only way we can protect the climate progress that’s cleaning our air and water and fighting the climate crisis is by stepping up. Another four years of Trump would be a disaster for our climate, especially for communities like ours.”

According to recent data, 62% of Black voters across battleground states consider climate change and clean energy to be important factors when voting for the next president. Recognizing the urgency of addressing these concerns, Climate Power is committed to amplifying the voices of Black communities and ensuring their priorities are at the forefront of the national conversation.

In addition to the Black Engagement Program, Climate Power launched Climate Power En Acción in 2023, an expansion of its political communications operation tailored specifically to Latinos. These initiatives reflect Climate Power’s unwavering dedication to building public support for strong climate policies and holding climate deniers and their oil and gas lobby allies accountable.

Please visit this link to learn more about Vice President Harris’ climate record.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON – The National Park Service today (July 24) awarded $10,670,000 to 15 projects in eight states as part of the Historic Preservation Fund’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities grant program, which focuses on the repair of historic structures on the campuses of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

“It’s vital for America’s HBCUs to preserve their vibrant history, ensuring that the places and the events that happened there are not forgotten,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “I’m proud that the National Park Service can support this locally-led stewardship.”

This year’s grants will support the preservation of sites like Simmons College’s Steward Hall, Delaware State University’s Hope House, and Cheyney University of Pennsylvania’s Melrose Cottage.

• Simmons College, the sole private HBCU in the state of Kentucky, will rehabilitate Steward Hall, one of two remaining buildings built during the college’s peak period in 1924. The architect and builder Samuel Plato is a celebrated Black architect who also graduated from Simmons College. The grant funds will be used to rehabilitate windows and doors as well as provide foundation repairs and tuckpointing.
• The Delaware State University (DSU) Downtown campus in Dover, Delaware, will rehabilitate a pre-1885, three-story frame building with Queen Anne architectural features including a mansard roof and an expansive porch. Originally owned by Wesley College, the building was acquired by DSU in 2021. The rehabilitation of the building will address the building envelope, interior water damage, and mold remediation. The rehabilitated building will be named the Hope House and provide social services for students and the community.
• Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, will rehabilitate Melrose Cottage, a cottage that dates to around 1785. The building served as the university president’s house from 1913 to 1951, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The rehabilitated building will become the admission team’s hub and a welcome center for campus tours. Funding will provide repairs to the electrical systems, a fire suppression system, and address accessibility issues. 

Congress appropriated funding for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grant Program in FY2023 through the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). The HPF uses revenue from federal oil and gas leases on the Outer Continental Shelf, assisting with a broad range of preservation projects without expending tax dollars, with the intent to mitigate the loss of nonrenewable resources to benefit the preservation of other irreplaceable resources. 

Established in 1977, the HPF was authorized at $150 million per year through 2024 and has provided more than $2 billion in historic preservation grants to states, Tribes, local governments, and nonprofit organizations.

Administered by the NPS, HPF funds may be appropriated by Congress to support a variety of historic preservation projects to help preserve the nation’s cultural resources. Other HPF grant programs managed by NPS fund preservation of America’s premier cultural resources and historic places in Underrepresented Communities, as well as sites key to the representation of Tribal Heritage, African American civil rights, and the History of Equal Rights in America.

For more information about NPS historic preservation programs and grants, please visit nps.gov/stlpg/

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Washington, DC — Guns are by far the most common weapon used to kill Black homicide victims in America according to Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2022 Homicide Data, a new study from the Violence Policy Center (VPC). The study shows that in 2022 there were 13,466 Black homicide victims in the United States and that 87.4 percent of these victims were killed with guns. Black Americans represented 13.6 percent of the U.S. population that year yet accounted for 54.1 percent of all homicide victims.

“The toll gun homicide exacts on Black men, women, boys, and girls is a national shame that demands action. The resulting devastation ravages families, friends, and communities. The purpose of this report is to help support advocates and organizations working to stop this lethal violence while continuing to educate and engage the public and policymakers on the need to address this ongoing crisis,” states VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann.

The report is based on 2022 WISQARS mortality data from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The study details homicide rates for 2022, the most recent year for which comprehensive national data is available. This is the 18th year the Violence Policy Center has released the study. To see past editions of the study, click here.

In addition to national data, the annual study also ranks the states according to their Black homicide victimization rates and offers additional information for each of the 10 states with the highest Black homicide victimization rates.

In 2022, the 10 states with the highest Black homicide victimization rates were: Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Louisiana, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, and Mississippi.

This is the 16th year in a row that Missouri has ranked either first or second in the nation for Black homicide victimization. Despite already having the highest Black homicide victimization rate in the country, in the last decade CDC data reveal that the Black homicide victimization rate in Missouri more than doubled, increasing from 30.7 per 100,000 in 2013 to 65.7 in 2022.

For the entire UNITED STATES, the study finds that in 2022:

• There were 13,446 Black homicide victims in the United States. Black Americans represented 13.6 percent of the U.S. population, yet accounted for 54.1 percent of all homicide victims.
• The majority of Black homicide victims in the United States were shot and killed with guns (87.4 percent or 11,750 out of 13,446). There were 696 victims killed with knives or other sharp instruments.
• On average, more than 36 Black Americans died each day from homicide, of these, 32 were known to have died from gun homicides.
• The Black homicide victimization rate in the United States was nearly four times the overall national victimization rate and nearly seven times the white homicide victimization rate. In 2022, the black homicide victimization rate was 29.0 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall national homicide victimization rate was 7.7 per 100,000. For whites, the national homicide victimization rate was 4.2 per 100,000.
• Of the 13,446 Black homicide victims, 11,528 (85.7 percent) were male and 1,918 (14.3 percent) were female.
• The Black male homicide victimization rate in the United States was more than four times the overall male victimization rate and more than eight times the white male homicide victimization rate. In 2022, the homicide victimization rate for Black male victims was 50.5 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for male homicide victims was 12.3 per 100,000 and the rate for white male homicide victims was 6.2 per 100,000.
• The Black female homicide victimization rate in the United States was nearly three times the overall female victimization rate and nearly four times the white female homicide victimization rate. In 2022, the homicide victimization rate for Black female victims was 8.2 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for female homicide victims was 3.0 per 100,000 and the rate for white female homicide victims was 2.2 per 100,000.
• For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 76.5 percent of Black victims (3,202 out of 4,184) were killed by someone they knew. The number of victims killed by strangers was 982.
• For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 80.9 percent (4,028 out of 4,977) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 53.9 percent (2,172 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

At the same time, the firearms industry, looking to expand beyond its shrinking base of white male gun owners, has focused its marketing efforts on Black, Latino, and Asian Americans. If successful, such efforts can only increase gun death and injury in these communities (see the 2021 Violence Policy Center studies How the Firearms Industry and NRA Market Guns to Communities of Color  and How the Firearms Industry Markets Guns to Asian Americans).

Previous versions of the VPC report used exclusively FBI SHR data to describe Black homicide victimization. In January of 2021, the FBI changed the way crime data are collected in the United States, which negatively impacted the reliability of such data from some states. As a result of the incomplete nature of state-by-state SHR crime data for 2022, using these data for ranking the states is not possible. In order to continue examining state-specific Black homicide victimization rates and offering state rankings, this report utilizes CDC WISQARS data to describe victim demographics and weapons used at both the national level and the state level for the 10 states with the highest Black homicide victimization rates. To offer further detail on Black homicide victimization in the United States, FBI SHR data are used to describe the victim and offender relationship and homicide circumstances at the national level. The Violence Policy Center hopes that at some point in the near future FBI crime data will once again be sufficiently robust to allow for a more complete analysis of the data.

The age-adjusted rates published in this report were calculated by the National Center for Health Statistics. The rates are calculated by dividing the number of Black homicide victims by the Black population and multiplying the result by 100,000. This result is then weighted according to the U.S. standard population. 

More information about how rates are calculated can be found at: https://wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/help/ucd-expanded.html#Age-Adjusted%20Rates.

The full study is available at https://vpc.org/studies/blackhomicide24.pdf.

Past editions of the study are available at https://vpc.org/revealing-the-impacts-of-gun-violence/black-homicide-victimization/.

***

The Violence Policy Center is a national educational organization working to stop gun death and injury. Follow the VPC on X/Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. 

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Debutante balls have traditionally been associated with a particular kind of coming of age: that of teen girls who are well-to-do and, for the most part, white. A newly revived Black debutante ball in Canton, Ohio, uses the cotillion experience as programming for Black girls, many of whom live below the poverty line.

“The Debutantes,” which premiered this summer at the Tribeca Film Festival, presents three young “debs” — Teylar Bradley, Amelia Boles and Dedra Robbins — as they grapple with what it means for them to come of age and mark that transition.

Director Contessa Gayles wanted the documentary to celebrate Black girlhood before it slips away. For these debutantes in training — who reflect on the pressure of paying bills, familial tensions and discovering themselves in a world where they feel judged — that transition appears to come all too soon.

“I know a lot of times Black girls in particular are adultified at a young age,” Gayles said in an interview. “It kind of doesn’t allow us the opportunity to live fully in our girlhood and then to make that transition, and then have that transition be celebrated.”

The documentary was co-produced by NBC News Studios, which, along with NBC News, is owned by Comcast.

The young women of the 2022 Stark County Debutante Cotillion were the first group in decades to take part in the rite of passage ceremony after Black women in Canton began holding cotillions in the 1970s.

Gayles used traditional documentary vérité, archival footage and video blogs that the debutantes themselves filmed to capture the girls’ experience being presented to society. These personal videos, of the girls driving to work or dancing with friends, were part of allowing them to have control over their own narrative, Gayles said.

Gayles also created scenes of the debutantes posed on sets that reflected their inner worlds and dreams — with Boles as a pageant queen waving to crowds in a parade, Robbins in a garden of butterflies, and Bradley filmed through the lens of a refracted kaleidoscope. These “dreamscape worlds,” as Gayles described them, serve as the backdrop in the film for the debutantes’ existential contemplations of what it means to be a Black girl and a Black woman.

In “The Debutantes,” Gayles said she incorporated archival footage to stage an “intergenerational dialogue between the older generation and the current generation of Gen Z girls.”

As the film opens, black-and-white archival footage rolls of young Black girls in the 1970s, curtseying before society. In the background, a clip of Toni Morrison’s 2004 commencement speech at Wellesley College announces the girls’ coming of age. “There is nothing, believe me, more satisfying, more gratifying than true adulthood,” she says. “The adulthood that is the span of life before you.” The earnest moment is punctuated by a video of the girls joyfully doing a TikTok dance.

In a community where the tradition of debutante balls skipped a generation, Gayles said the girls’ lack of familiarity with cotillion allowed them to decide what parts of the traditionally exclusionary experience served them and what parts challenged their sense of self.

The quintessential presentation of the debutante by male escorts, for example, drew the criticism of those in training. At waltz lessons, their faces twisted when the dance instructor told their male dance partners, “It’s like you’re holding a delicate flower.” During the traditional debutante dance between father and daughter, Robbins, who does not have a relationship with her father, wondered why she couldn’t share that moment with her mom instead.

Gayles captured an intergenerational conversation in which cotillion co-chair Nicole Bush candidly addresses the heavily gendered components of the debutante ball. While Bush recognized that times are changing, she said she struggled to “rethink” tradition. “That would make a better program for us, I know it would, to the community. But it’s just not within my values system; I’m old-school,” she said.

By creating this dialogue, Gayles said she wanted to start a conversation at the intersection of class, race and gender — a debutante experience that is distinct from its white counterparts and explores what it means to come of age as a Black girl.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Tuskegee, Alabama — The Tuskegee University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Mark Brown ‘86 as the university’s 10th president and chief executive officer. Dr Brown’s selection is the first time in Tuskegee’s nearly 143-year history that an alum will lead the university. He will begin his tenure on July 1. 

The Board of Trustees approved the retired Air Force Major General’s nomination after several talented leaders stepped forward to succeed Dr. Charlotte P. Morris, the university’s ninth president.

The university announced the retirement of Dr. Morris last fall after almost 40 years of service. At that time, the search firm Storbeck developed a committee of university representatives at all levels – trustees, faculty, staff, alums, and students – to develop the confidential process to review candidate applications and participate in interviews.

“The Board of Trustees conducted a thorough search process, considering candidates from across the nation, and was impressed by Dr. Brown’s vision, expertise, and passion for higher education,” said Norma Clayton, Chair of the Tuskegee Board of Trustees. “Working with the Board, we are confident that he will provide a clear vision, direction, strong leadership, and guidance  to evolve and grow the university.”

Dr. Brown’s extensive executive experience includes the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business,  and the Robert and Edith Broad Academy for Urban School Superintendents, now hosted at the Yale School of Management.

An educational leader

Dr. Brown, who received his bachelor’s from Tuskegee in accounting, earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Troy University, a Master’s of Strategic Studies from the Air Command and Staff College, a Master’s in National Security Strategy from the National War College, and his doctorate in Education from Baylor University. His experience in education is varied and distinguished.

While a Major General in the Air Force, Dr. Brown served as Deputy Commander of Air Education and Training Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. AETC recruits, trains, and educates Air Force personnel. His command included the Air Force Recruiting Service, two numbered Air Forces, and two fully accredited graduate and doctoral degree-granting universities: Air University and the Air Force Institute of Technology. AETC operates more than 1,400 trainer, fighter, and mobility aircraft, 23 wings, 10 bases, and five geographically separated groups. The command trains more than 293,000 Airmen annually, with approximately 60,000 active-duty, Reserve, Guard, civilian, and contractor personnel.

After retiring from the Air Force with 32 years of service, Dr. Brown expanded his educational service as the chief operating officer of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Federal Student Aid, which had a lending portfolio of $1.7 trillion equivalent to that of the nation’s five largest consumer lending banks. As COO, he was responsible for all of the nation’s Title IV funding.

Most recently, he has served as president and chief executive officer of the Student Freedom Initiative based in Washington, D.C. The Student Freedom Initiative is the vision of billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith after his historic gift to eliminate the student loan debt of the Morehouse College class of 2019.

As the first President and Chief Executive Officer, he and his staff provide four components to 63 HBCUs, which also includes two Tribal Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions. The capabilities include agreements to fund any educational attendance requirements beyond what is paid for through Federal programs, such as Pell Grants, Work-Study, and Federal Student Loans. SFI is also focused on elevating the communities around its school by providing critical resources such as access to high speed broadband, cybersecurity upgrades, affordable living spaces and solar energy.

“I am grateful and humbled by the Board of Trustees, Faculty, Alumni, Students, Community Leaders, and all of Mother Tuskegee for the opportunity to return home to lead our University into the second quarter of the 21st Century,” said Dr. Brown. “Thanks to the leadership of Dr. Morris, I am convinced that Tuskegee is well positioned to continue its global impact by producing students ready for leadership in our rapidly changing world, yet grounded in the journey of our forefathers. Gwen and I can’t wait to get started!”

Building a distinguished career

Dr. Brown was commissioned through the Tuskegee University Air Force ROTC program in 1986. He served in comptroller, command, and staff positions at all U.S. Department of Defense levels, including two assignments as congressional liaison to the United States House of Representatives.

His global experience includes serving in the Philippines, Spain, England, Turkey and Iraq. In addition, he has commanded four times at ascending levels, deploying in support of operation Provide Comfort, and served as the Assistant Executive Officer for the 17th Air Force Chief of Staff. He was also the Financial Management Senior Military Assistant in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Chief Financial Officer for Air Force Materiel Command, responsible for a portfolio greater than $60 billion, 38 percent of the Air Force budget.

Leadership for Tuskegee’s future

“The Board’s nomination reflects our confidence that Dr. Mark Brown is the right leader to sustain and enhance Tuskegee University’s momentum as one of our nation’s top universities,” said Trustee and alum Jonathan Porter, who chaired the search committee.  “Dr. Brown has the right combination of experience and innovative thinking that will propel TU to the next level nationally and globally.  I appreciate his commitment to serving his alma mater and his dedication to improving the lives of its students.”

A statement from the Board of Trustees said:  “On behalf of the entire Tuskegee family, we extend a warm welcome to Dr. Brown and his family. We look forward to working together toward the success of the university and the broader Tuskegee community.”

Dr. Brown is married to Gwendolyn Jackson Brown, his wife of 33 years. They have two adult children, Mark II and Michael.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Atlanta, GA — Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated is proud to announce that it will host its 84th Conclave in Tampa, Florida, from June 27 to July 2. This highly anticipated event will bring together thousands of fraternity members, dignitaries, celebrities, and community leaders for a time of fellowship, development, and community service with a focus on activism, philanthropic efforts, youth mentoring, recognizing the fine arts, health and wellness, and celebrating decades of social action. 

The conclave serves as Omega Psi Phi’s biennial convention, designed to address fraternity business, and plan the future direction of the organization. For this year’s conclave, due to the unique social and political times we are in, the primary purpose of the gathering has been expanded, and the 84th Grand Conclave has been labelled as a “Conclave with a Purpose.” 

Our goal in Tampa is to reassert our leadership as Omega men by providing a forum where ideas, activities, and tools to shape a more equitable future on both the local and national levels can be discussed, leveraged, and amplified. The event will offer a plethora of activities including, but not limited to: 

• Community Forum: To educate and empower the community by increasing understanding of how legal/legislative changes, both proposed and implemented, impact their lives.
• Voter Registration Education and Mobilization: A state-wide voter registration initiative has been implemented focused on individuals who have been historically underrepresented.
• Book Drive: Collect and distribute books focused on African American history and culture through small libraries set up in several urban communities and through relationships with local organizations, schools, and businesses.
• Silent March and Rally: A visible and symbolic effort intended to demonstrate disapproval of policies implemented that limit civic engagement, negatively impact equity, and alter the accuracy of the historical record.

Our intention in Tampa is to be visible, vocal, and deliberate in communicating and demonstrating our position as community leaders and offer strategies to make a change. 

About Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.: 

Omega Psi Phi was founded over 113 years ago at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by three undergraduate students and their faculty advisor. They sought to address the racial hostilities of the day and find ways to uplift the Black community.       

Today, the Fraternity’s membership stands upward of over 200,000 in more than 700 undergraduate and graduate chapters throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It was the first black-male Greek-letter organization founded on the campus of a historically Black university. If you would like more information about the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, we encourage you to visit, www.oppf.org.

For more information about the 84th Conclave please visit our website or contact:

~ Dallas Thompson, Special Assistant to the Grand Basileus at: dgthompson584@gmail.com 

Note to editors: Photos from the event and additional information are available upon request

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK, NY — On Wednesday, June 19, at 7:00 p.m., the Healing of the Nations Foundation in association with Carnegie Hall presents a free Juneteenth Celebration event in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Juneteenth honors the beginning of our nation’s true independence—the freedom for all members of the reunited nation after the American Civil War. More than 400 years after the first enslaved African people were brought to the North American colonies, the fight for justice and equity continues. For a fifth consecutive year at Carnegie Hall, the Juneteenth event recognizes this historic day of freedom with a powerful program celebrating justice, peace, and love.

Hosted by Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr., Senior Minister Emeritus, Riverside Church & President and Founder, Healing of the Nations Foundation and featuring Broadway star Norm Lewis as the Master of Ceremonies, the special evening of commentary and performance include guest artists Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Gregory Porter, acclaimed composer, conductor, producer, and pianist Damien Sneed, visionary actor, singer, and writer Daniel Beaty, versatile conductor, arranger, and pianist Joseph Joubert, celebrated vocal ensembles Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble and The Adrian Dunn Singers, and more. Honorees this year include American politician, diplomat, and activist Ambassador Andrew Young and Healing of the Nations own Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. and wife Bettye Franks Forbes.

“On this third anniversary of the national holiday of Juneteenth, our nation, and our civilization face multiple crises.2024: The Year of Justice, Peace, and Loveis the theme for our celebration. I challenge us, as a nation and society, founded on enduring democratic ideals, to embrace this theme as our north star for healing.” says Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. “As we gather in Carnegie Hall and around the nation for a joyous celebration, we should join our ancestors in their song of hope to bring better days ahead for this nation and all nations of the earth.”

Tickets for this year’s celebration are free and will be available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street beginning on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. There is a maximum of 4 tickets per person permitted at pickup. Inquiries about ticket availability can also be directed to CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800. Tickets are also available online at www.juneteenthus.info. Group ticket requests can be arranged by emailing richard.wicg@gmail.com.

Reverend Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr. is the recipient of fourteen honorary degrees, including D.D. degrees from Princeton University, Trinity College, Colgate University, and University of Richmond. In 1996, Newsweek recognized Reverend Forbes as one of the twelve “most effective preachers” in the English-speaking world. Union Theological Seminary named him the first Harry Emerson Fosdick Adjunct Professor of Preaching in 1989, the same year he was installed as fifth senior minister of Riverside Church in New York City. His installment rendered him the first African American senior minister of one of the largest multicultural and interdenominational congregations in the United States. Following his address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, Forbes led an interfaith rally and demonstration at Riverside Church as part of the Church’s Mobilization 2004 campaign. In 2007, he formed the Healing of the Nations Foundation, a non-partisan, non-profit, national ministry of healing and spiritual revitalization.

Program Information
JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
All American Freedom Day 2024: The Year of Justice, Peace, and Love

Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
Wednesday, June 19, 2023 at 7:00 PM
Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr., Host

Norm Lewis, Master of Ceremonies

Gregory Porter, Vocals
Damien Sneed, Piano & Vocals
Daniel Beaty, Actor & Vocals
Joseph Joubert, Piano
Ebony Ecumenical Ensemble
The Adrian Dunn Singers
The Black Iris Project
New Jersey Youth Symphony
Helen Cha-Pyo, Conductor

with Honorees
Ambassador Andrew Young
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. James A. Forbes Jr.

Presented by the Healing of the Nations Foundation in association with Carnegie Hall.

Lead support for Carnegie Hall Citywide is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation and the Hearst Foundations.

Additional support provided by Northwell Health, Official Healthcare Partner of Carnegie Hall.

Ticket Information

Tickets are free and will be available at the Carnegie Hall Box Office, 154 West 57th Street, beginning on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:00 a.m. Tickets are also available online at juneteenthus.info. Questions about ticket availability can be directed to CarnegieCharge at 212-247-7800.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Washington, DC — Recently, When We All Vote launched the Culture of Democracy Tour, a summer of action to register, educate and engage thousands of voters and volunteers. The Culture of Democracy Tour brings voting to popular culture through events, sweepstakes, campaigns, voter registration drives and more in partnership with the organization’s thousands of volunteers and partners. 

More than 200 partners have joined When We All Vote’s Culture of Democracy Collective — a network of leading national and community organizations, including sports, corporate and entertainment partners, committed to registering, educating and mobilizing voters. Members include Essence, BET, Lyft, Girls Inc., NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Global Black Economic Forum, Lime, the Divine Nine National Pan-Hellenic Organizations, VoteRiders and the Executive Leadership Council, as well as major sport teams like the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Atlanta Dream, Dallas Wings, Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Mystics, New England Revolution, Houston Dynamo and more. 

“At a time when fewer young people are identifying with political parties, the work of nonpartisan organizations like When We All Vote has never been more critical,” said Beth Lynk, executive director of When We All Vote. “Through the Culture of Democracy Tour this summer, we will bring voting to the culture and meet voters where they are — transforming how they view and participate in democracy and taking this momentum to the biggest stop of all: the ballot box.” 

Culture of Democracy Tour

When We All Vote’s Founder and Co-Chair Michelle Obama continues to be a trusted voice in the political space. She will use her voice throughout the tour to engage eligible voters. 

More than 40 million Gen Z’ers will be eligible to vote in November, and almost half are people of color,  including 8.8 million Latinos and 5.7 million Black youth. 71 percent of the people who registered with When We All Vote in 2020 were young people and people of color, with a turnout rate of 83 percent — surpassing the national average by nearly 20 percentage points. With reports of lower voter enthusiasm dominating the narrative, the Culture of Democracy Tour is critical to remind voters of their power and encourage voter participation. Highlights include:

• Events: When We All Vote will join some of the summer’s biggest events and celebrations to register voters, including: 

• The Roots Picnic in Philadelphia, PA, on June 1 and 2
• Blavity House Party Music Festival in Nashville, TN, on June 14 and 15 
• Essence Festival of Culture and the Global Black Economic Forum’s Summit and Conference in New Orleans, LA, between July 4 and July 7
• National Days of Action and Volunteer Mobilization: Hundreds of volunteers will host voter registration drives and get their communities registered and ready to vote: 
• Pride Month voter registration drives throughout June
• Juneteenth Weekend of Action June 19-23 
• The Voting Rights Act Anniversary on August 6 
• Digital Campaigns: When We All Vote will engage voters around the issues motivating them most through campaigns with partners, such as: 

• Digital and in-person activations with sports leagues and athletes
• Digital campaigns around key issues for voters, including reproductive rights, climate change and the state of the economy 

• A back-to-school campaign as a part of the My School Votes program for high school students throughout August
• New partnerships with celebrity talent and brands

Culture of Democracy Collective

The more than 200 members of the Culture of Democracy Collective will register voters through their platforms. For example: 

• Lyft will offer discounted rides to the polls during primaries, early voting and on Election Day across the country, as well as help riders, drivers and team members register, prepare to vote and understand voting ID requirements
• Lime will share voter registration deadlines and offer free e-bike and e-scooter rides to polling locations on Election Day
• Amalgamated Bank will promote voter registration in branches to help inform their customers and employees about the elections and encourage them to vote
• Essence and the Global Black Economic Forum will register and mobilize voters and protect democracy
• The Executive Leadership Council will convene Black business leaders to mobilize around voter education and registration in both the workplace and in their local communities 
• Clare V. will release a VOTE t-shirt in support of When We All Vote
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and other organizations in the Divine Nine will mobilize their membership around Juneteenth to register people to vote 
• Drag Out the Vote will encourage the community to register voters for Pride Month
• State Voices will help galvanize their large network to host Parties at the Polls
• Southern Poverty Law Center will register voters through statewide campaigns in Alabama and Mississippi 

Earlier this year, When We All Vote laid out its three-pronged strategy for 2024: 1) register at least 500,000 Americans to vote; 2) reach and mobilize 5 million voters to cast their ballots; 3) change the culture around voting with partners and celebrity co-chairs and ambassadors.  

ABOUT When We All Vote: 

When We All Vote is a leading national, nonpartisan initiative on a mission to change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.

In 2020, When We All Vote ran a robust, multifaceted campaign and reached more than 100 million people to educate them about the voting process and get them registered and ready to vote. The initiative also led in voter education, registration, and volunteer engagement and as a result, 512,000 people started or completed the voter registration process, and nearly 500 media, corporate, and nonprofit partners joined its efforts.

Michelle Obama launched When We All Vote in 2018 and is joined by fellow Co-Chairs Stephen Curry, Becky G, Selena Gomez, Tom Hanks, H.E.R., Liza Koshy, Jennifer Lopez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Megan Rapinoe, Shonda Rhimes, Bretman Rock, Kerry Washington and Rita Wilson.

When We All Vote is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) organization, and works with Civic Nation Action, a 501(c)(4). Learn more here.

ABOUT Civic Nation:

Civic Nation is a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Online for All, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote. Learn more here.

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By BlackPR Wire

(BlackPR Wire) – Before nearly 800 delegates and hundreds of observers, Bishop Tracy S. Malone, resident bishop of the East Ohio Conference, recently took the mantle as the new president of the Council of Bishops (COB) of The United Methodist Church. In so doing, she became the first Black woman in the history of the global denomination to ascend to the pinnacle of episcopacy leadership.

Bishop Malone accepted the gavel from outgoing President Bishop Thomas Bickerton to a standing ovation at the General Conference of The United Methodist Church, which is taking place at the Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.

“I am honored to serve as the President of the Council of Bishops in the midst of these challenging and hope-filled times in the life of our beloved United Methodist Church,” she said.  “Fresh winds of God’s spirit are moving across the Church and creating missional pathways for the next visible expression and witness of The United Methodist Church.”

Bishop Malone was elected as president during the COB meeting at Lake Junaluska in November last year.  She will lead the COB for two years.

“I stand here tonight hope-full, encouraged, grateful, and excitedly expectant,” Bishop Malone said as she received the gavel at a COB meeting April 20, “for what God will do through my leadership and through our leadership together as we trust in God’s provisions for the now and the emerging next expression of The United Methodist Church.”

Bishop Malone said at that meeting that she is offering nothing less than herself to the ministry of leading the COB.

“I am prepared to bring all of who I am and my gifts, wisdom, and experience to my role as President of the Council of Bishops and to my leadership and role in the Church,” she said.

Bishop Malone, who was elected bishop in 2016, added that she has “unshakable confidence” in how the bishops will lead the “whole church,” she said.

She will lead a COB leadership team that includes Bishop Ruben Saenz, resident bishop of the Central Texas and North Texas Conferences, as president-designate; Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, resident bishop of the South Carolina Conference as secretary; and Bishop Thomas J. Bickerton of the New York Conference as the past president of the Council.

The other members of the COB leadership team are Bishop Gregory V. Palmer, resident bishop of the West Ohio Conference, who will become new executive secretary; and Bishop Hope Morgan Ward and Bishop Rosemary Wenner as new co-ecumenical officers. The executive secretary and ecumenical officers begin their four-year terms on September 1 of this year.

“We celebrate what God has done and what God is doing as we, together as a Council, lead and help to shepherd this beautiful, beloved United Methodist Church into its next expression, God’s vision for God’s Church,” Bishop Malone said.

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By BlackPR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) will host its 61st National Convention October 9 -13, 2024, in Baltimore, Maryland. Convention activities and event workshops will take place in the Baltimore Convention Center and the host hotel will be the Baltimore Hilton.

“We are proud to bring our convention to Baltimore, further investing in the local economy while enjoying all that the city has to offer,” said National Chair, Dr. A. Lois Keith. “Our biennial conventions are an opportunity for us to engage our constituency from across the country and discuss topics that are pertinent to anyone invested in the well-being of our communities. In a city as culturally diverse as Baltimore, it is the perfect place for NCNW to convene and strengthen our coalition of national women’s organizations while discussing strategies to combat racism, sexism and other systems hindering women and girls. I am excited for what this convention will bring and look forward to seeing all of our NCNW sisters in Baltimore.”

“Considering the city’s rich history, waterfront attractions, and the overall cultural hub that makes Baltimore the northeastern epicenter that it is, the decision to host this year’s convention in ‘Charm City’ was a simple one,” said President and CEO Shavon Arline Bradley. “Baltimore’s beautiful Inner Harbor and convention center creates the perfect environment for our members, affiliate organizations and supporters to convene to discuss social and economic justice issues impacting Black women and girls. We are not only excited to visit Baltimore but also equally thrilled to build lasting relationships with city and state officials and the surrounding community that extend long after our convention ends.”

The organization’s biennial national convention is a meeting of the voting body, members and affiliates of NCNW to conduct business as well as a convening of Black women and their allies to discuss issues pertaining to Black women, their families, and communities. With the local and state government being led by Mayor Brandon Scott, the youngest mayor in the city’s history, and Governor Wes Moore, the country’s only Black governor, NCNW is excited to conduct its business in a dynamic city that represents the positive potential of the future of our nation.

Convention registration opened on May 9, 2024.

NCNW is an “organization of organizations,” composed of 330 campus and community-based sections and 37 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities.

Join our mailing list at ncnw.org to receive convention updates and follow us on all social media platforms for more information in the coming weeks.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – NICE CROWD, in partnership with Events DC, is thrilled to announce the return of the Because They’re Funny (BTF) Comedy Festival, a three-day event dedicated to amplifying BIPOC comedic talent. Following its acclaimed debut in 2023, which USA Today named One of the Top 10 New Events of The Year, BTF is back for its second annual installment from September 27-29, 2024, across The Wharf’s venues with performances and events at The Anthem, Pearl Street Warehouse and more.

A spinoff of the American Black Film Festival, BTF aims to propel a new generation of stand-up comedians to stardom and showcase content in the comedy genre that features people of color. In 2023, the BTF festival garnered a tremendous response, drawing more than 5,200 attendees and 1,000 submissions for the showpiece “Breakout Comedian of the Year” competition. Last year’s winner, Alfred Kainga, was signed by Innovative Arts talent agency and is currently on a national tour. The event also included notable talent such as Tommy Davidson, Yvonne Orji, DC Young Fly, Donnell Rawlings and Nicole Byer.

“After witnessing the tremendous success of last year’s festival, we’re inspired to adopt a more community-centric approach,” said Jeff Friday, founder of NICE CROWD and visionary behind BTF. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Events DC and honored to enrich this year’s festival with a local charitable aspect deepening our engagement with the community that surrounds and uplifts us.”

“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome the Because They’re Funny Comedy Festival back home to Washington, D.C., the best city in the world for entertainment, culture, and more,” said Events DC President and CEO Angie M. Gates. “The inaugural festival was a tremendous success and became one of the top 10 new festivals of 2023. This year, I am excited to build upon that success and showcase the best comedic talent within the BIPOC community to residents and visitors from across the country.”

New this year, the 2024 festival kicks off with the “Comedy Cares for DC” event, a VIP showcase and charity roast. This event underscores BTF’s mission to deploy comedy as a force for good.

Over three days, BTF will showcase a dynamic array of talent with headline acts, rising standup comedy stars, master classes, lively panels, networking opportunities and BTF’s flagship “Breakout Comedian of the Year” competition, offering a life-changing $10,000 grand prize and the opportunity for the winner to secure representation by a top Hollywood talent agency.

The call for submissions is now open to comedians across the nation and passes are currently available for purchase. Headliners and comedy lineup to be announced early this summer.

2024 BTF partners and sponsors to date are the presenting partner Events DC, and programming partners DC Improv and LAFF MOBB.

To learn more, please visit www.becausetheyrefunny.com.

About NICE CROWD

NICE CROWD is a pioneering entertainment company at the forefront of the live events industry. Its passion lies in curating and promoting immersive festivals and live experiences that celebrate the rich diversity of BIPOC talent. By spotlighting exceptional artists and cultural innovators, the company aims to create vibrant and inclusive spaces that resonate with audiences globally.

To learn more about NICE CROWD, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

About Events DC

Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for Washington, D.C., delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation’s capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the LEED Gold-certified Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District’s hospitality and tourism economy and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus (RFK Campus), including Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, Festival Grounds at RFK Campus, The Fields at RFK, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and the Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. Events DC manages Gateway DC, R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center and Entertainment & Sports Arena all conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com and find us on social media – Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Events DC), and Twitter (@TheEventsDC) — and on our new hub for on-demand event programming on GATHER by Events DC at www.gatherbyeventsdc.com.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK, N.Y. — Nationally renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump has been named by Forbes as one of America’s Top 200 Lawyers for 2024.

The inaugural list of America’s Top 200 Lawyers highlights the finest practitioners in the profession—lawyers with stellar track records in their specialties, those who have broken barriers to emerge as leaders in their fields, and attorneys most respected by peers and clients.

“It is a great honor to be included on the Forbes list of America’s Top 200 Lawyers for 2024, among so many incredible attorneys,” said Crump. “While, as a profession and as a society we have come a long way, there is much more work to be done and progress to be made. We must not take our feet off the brakes until there is equal justice and opportunity for all Americans.”

Crump has handled high-profile civil rights cases, including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and Tyre Nichols. In addition to civil rights cases, Ben Crump Law handles everything from class actions and mass torts to personal injury and environmental lawsuits.

Crump receives hundreds of requests a day for representation, but the civil rights cases he’s become famous for constitute only a small fraction of his practice. Crump is leveraging his legal brand to build a thriving nationwide business by partnering with firms in other jurisdictions on a variety of cases.

In 2021, The Benjamin L. Crump Center for Social Justice at the St. Thomas University College of Law was created. The center, housed within one of the most diverse law schools in the country, will train the next generation of lawyers and social justice engineers.

ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW

Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.

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Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON — Rap artist, civic leader and activist Killer Mike—winner of three 2024 Grammy Awards®—will join the National Symphony Orchestra in a new, original orchestra program. The evening-length concert will feature new arrangements from Killer Mike’s critically acclaimed album “Michael,” led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke. This will be the orchestra’s first self-produced collaboration with a rap artist since its concert with Common in 2017.

“Michael,” Atlanta rapper Killer Mike’s sixth solo album and his first in over a decade, was awarded Best Rap Album last month at the 2024 Grammy Awards®. The album was hailed for its “musical adventurism” by Slate and for its “startling depth and warmth” as it reflects on his personal journey.

The National Symphony Orchestra has a long history of artistic innovation, collaborating with artists across genres. Most recently, the NSO’s collaboration with Maxwell sold out the Kennedy Center Concert Hall for four consecutive nights, and the orchestra has pushed the boundaries of orchestral music by performing with luminaries such as Nas (2014), Kendrick Lamar (2015), and Common (2017). 

Additionally, recent collaborations with artists Bob Weir and the Wolf Bros, Audra McDonald, Anoushka Shankar, Pharrell, Black Girls Rock, Jacob Collier, Laufey, and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds and his Declassified series, underscore the orchestra’s commitment to diverse and boundary-pushing programming.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets ($49–$169) are available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at kennedy-center.org, and via phone through Instant Charge, (202) 467-4600; toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

PROGRAM LISTING

Killer Mike & The Mighty Midnight Revival with the National Symphony Orchestra

Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
Kennedy Center Concert Hall

Steven Reineke, conductor
Killer Mike
The Mighty Midnight Revival
National Symphony Orchestra 

Killer Mike will join the National Symphony Orchestra in a new, original evening-length performance. The concert will feature new arrangements from Killer Mike’s critically acclaimed album “Michael,” led by Principal Pops conductor Steven Reineke.  This will be the orchestra’s first self-produced collaboration with a rap artist since its concert with Common in 2017.

Artists and performances are subject to change.

FUNDING CREDITS

The NSO Pops Presenting Sponsor is AARP.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) hosted the Divine Nine Sororities, The National Council of Negro Women, The Links Incorporated, The Black Women’s Agenda and The National Coalition of 100 Black Women at the White House. During this event, MBDA memorialized Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with each organization to collaborate on advancing the growth of women business enterprises. 

“The Minority Business Development Agency is excited to collaborate with these women-led organizations to break down barriers and expand opportunities for Black women,” said Eric Morissette, performing the delegated duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development. “As the fastest growing demographic of entrepreneurs, women of color continue to be a driving force for the nation’s economy. The Biden-Harris Administration, the Department of Commerce, and MBDA are committed to matching their drive with the resources and opportunities they need and deserve.”

The event featured a roundtable discussion with each organization’s leadership that examined the challenges women entrepreneurs face related to access to capital, starting and scaling businesses, and access to contracts and networks. MBDA’s alliance with these organizations aims to provide solutions, resources, and opportunities for economic empowerment.

The Department of Commerce’s mission is “to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities.” Through this historic collaboration with the Divine Nine sororities and other national women’s leadership organizations, the MBDA continues to ensure economic prosperity for all American business enterprises.

About the U.S. Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA):

The Minority Business Development Agency is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises. For more than 50 years, MBDA’s programs and services have better equipped MBEs to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally, nationally, and internationally.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) TORRANCE, Calif. — The countdown is on to the 35th Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC), the nation’s premier academic competition for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). After advancing from the HCASC national qualifying tournaments held in February, the top 32 HBCU student teams will compete in the National Championship Tournament at American Honda’s corporate campus in Torrance, California. The winning school will earn the HCASC National Championship title and a portion of the more than $500,000 in institutional grants provided by Honda. Fans can stream the exciting HCASC National Championship finals at 3 p.m. PDT April 11 –12 at HCASC.com.

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program that celebrates HBCU academic excellence and showcases the best and brightest minds from HBCUs across the country. The 32 teams, composed of four students from participating schools, will go head-to-head in a battle of scholastic skill, quickly answering questions on a range of topics including history, science, math, pop culture, and more.

“The Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has provided a national stage for generations of talented HBCU students to display their impressive academic capabilities and the rich culture of HBCUs,” said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Honda is proud of our longstanding commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of leaders by providing HBCU students with the tools and experiences they need to live their dreams.”

HCASC challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge, with the opportunity to gain lifelong learning skills, including leadership, collaboration, and sportsmanship. Participating students also can build camaraderie with students from other HBCUs and gain networking and mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni, volunteers, and Honda associates. Additionally, Honda offers development seminars to help prepare students for success after graduation.

The 2024 HCASC participating HBCUs are:

Since its inception in 1989, HCASC has supported the success and dreams of over 175,000 HBCU students. This year, Honda will provide more than $500,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs, with many of the schools utilizing the grants to fund student scholarships. The winning team will receive $100,000 from Honda.

HCASC also is part of the Honda ‘Drive the Legacy’ initiative that celebrates the company’s longstanding commitment to HBCUs and their communities. The unparalleled HBCU marching band showcase, Honda Battle of the Bands (HBOB), will return live to bring the energy in 2025. In addition to these beloved programs, Honda is a proud partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and UNCF to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.

To follow the teams’ road to the HCASC National Championship, visit the HCASC Facebook,  Instagram, and X.

Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities

For 35 years, Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students through initiatives including the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These programs provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for HBCU students, including meeting and networking with peers from other HBCU schools. Honda has impacted the lives of more than 250,000 students and awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry, and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships. Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing-related fields.

Learn more at https://www.honda.com/community/diversity-reports.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility

For more than 60 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its customers and associates live and work. Honda’s mission is to create products and services that improve lives while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety and community.

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.

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By Black PR Wire

LOS ANGELES – The joint venture between CBS Studios and the NAACP is developing a new daytime drama for the CBS Television Network.

The series, titled “THE GATES,” follows the lives of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community. 

Michele Val Jean, who has written more than 2,000 episodes of daytime dramas and won multiple Daytime Emmy and WGA Awards for her work on “The Bold & The Beautiful” and “General Hospital,” will serve as writer and showrunner. Val Jean will also be an executive producer alongside Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner. “THE GATES” will be produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP production venture in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble.

“THE GATES will be everything we love about daytime drama, from a new and fresh perspective,” said Sheila Ducksworth, president of the CBS Studios NAACP venture. “This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television. With multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, THE GATES will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.”

Continued Ducksworth, “I’m excited to develop this project with CBS and P&G, two of the longest and most passionate champions of broadcast and daytime television, and the NAACP, whose enduring commitment to Black voices and artists is both powerful and inspiring. I also want to thank CBS’ George Cheeks, NAACP’s Derrick Johnson and P&G’s Marc Pritchard for their personal involvement and support to take our next step forward with THE GATES.”

The CBS Studios’ production venture and development deal with the NAACP was established to help elevate a diverse range of voices as well as increase the visibility of Black artists on broadcast and streaming platforms in an ever-evolving media landscape.

About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum has announced an exciting lineup of new initiatives for Women’s History Month March 2024 that will further the museum’s mission to make women’s history more visible. These initiatives mark an important step as the museum enters the next phase of research and programming that will eventually inform the collection and a physical site in Washington, D.C.

The museum’s headline program for Women’s History Month will be “Becoming Visible,” an interactive digital exhibition launching March 8 on International Women’s Day. The exhibition will invite audiences into the work of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum that spotlights how women’s histories have been recorded, remembered, lost and recovered.

Five remarkable stories of women from the past will come to life through objects from the Smithsonian’s collection, archival records, recorded interviews and original illustrations and animations. Curators will narrate each of the five stories, alongside an introduction narrated by actress, designer and producer Rosario Dawson, who serves on the museum’s advisory council. The exhibition will demonstrate how women’s history is often obscured or forgotten—and the critical need to uncover these stories to create a more accurate and inclusive record of American history.

The lack of women’s representation in major databases is another key obstacle to ensuring women’s history is not lost as less than 20 percent of biographies on English-language Wikipedia are about women. To confront this issue, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum will host a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon March 27 where attendees will edit and create Wikipedia articles about the women represented in “Becoming Visible,” among others.

“This Women’s History Month we are excited to introduce audiences to the future of what will truly be the first national museum to honor American women’s history,” said Melanie Adams, interim director of the museum. “While our museum is still in its early stages, we are already activating our digital platforms, championing new research and engaging the wider Smithsonian community to begin the critical work of making women’s history fully visible. We invite everyone, from all backgrounds and walks of life, to collaborate with us as we build a museum that will inspire generations to come.”

The museum’s other initiatives throughout Women’s History Month include the launch of the Spotlight Program that will invite filmmakers to collaborate with the museum to share women’s stories from their communities and a charter membership program for the public to get involved with the museum as it is built from the ground up. Further details on the Women’s History Month initiatives are included below.

• Charter Membership Program | Launching March 1: With this inaugural membership program, the public can help make history by becoming some of the first supporters of the museum’s mission. Charter Members will get early access to events and programs and be the first to know about the museum’s progress. Learn more on the museum’s website.
• Digital Exhibition: “Becoming Visible” | Launching March 8: Available on the museum’s website, the 10-minute digital experience created by the woman-led digital design firm Forum One will take audiences on a visual and emotional journey through five women’s lives, including Elizabeth Keckly, a memoirist and formerly enslaved woman who became a lauded seamstress and dressmaker to Mary Todd Lincoln; Margaret Knight, a 19th-century inventor who automated the production of flat-bottomed paper bags; Hisako Hibi, a Japanese American artist who lost much of her work after spending over three years in government detention during World War II; Isabel Morgan, a scientist who was instrumental in the development of the polio vaccine; and Hazel Fellows, a seamstress who worked on the Apollo space suits. A virtual inside look into the exhibition with Smithsonian curators will take place March 14 at 3 p.m. ET. Learn more on the museum’s website.
• Spotlight Program | Launching March 18: The museum will invite up and coming filmmakers from communities across the country to develop short videos that document important histories of women and girls who have been underrecognized in the historical record. This program will be the first of several co-creation projects that will engage artists from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to collaborate with the museum to tell women’s stories.
• Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon | Launching March 27: Less than 20 percent of biographies in English-language Wikipedia are about women. The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum is helping to change this with a Wikipedia Edit-a-Thon during Women’s History Month. Attendees will edit and create Wikipedia articles about American women represented in the museum’s digital exhibition, “Becoming Visible,” among others. New editors who have never contributed to Wikipedia before will receive on-site training. This event is presented with support from Wikimedia DC.

About the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum expands the story of America through the often-untold accounts and accomplishments of women—individually and collectively—to better understand our past and inspire our future. Through new scholarship, diverse viewpoints and innovative forms of exhibition, storytelling and participation, the museum inspires the next generation to create a more equitable world. The legislation creating the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum passed Dec. 27, 2020, and the museum is working with Congress to finalize a site for a building. Connect with the museum at womenshistory.si.edu.

Source: Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) announced the Uncommon Height Awards Gala will return on Dec. 8 for the 18th year. The biennial event will be held at the Gaylord National Harbor Resort in Oxon Hill, Md. This event is the organization’s signature fundraising event, with proceeds raised being used to fund programs of critical concern known as “Four for the Future” – health, education, economics, and social justice.

“The gala allows us to remember and celebrate the good work of Dr. Dorothy Irene Height over the years, while recognizing the good works of many today, especially our Crystal Stair Award recipient,” said the Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and chief executive officer of NCNW.  “We are excited to share with our supporters and partners the ongoing tireless work of our board, sections, and staff to advance our mission of leading, advocating, and empowering women of African descent, their families, and communities. It will be a fun and reflective time you do not want to miss.”

This will be the first Uncommon Height Awards Gala under the leadership of newly elected NCNW Chair, Dr. A. Lois Keith, and Rev. Arline-Bradley.  They named Alexis Herman, former secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor and president of the Dorothy I. Height Education Foundation, and Harry E. Johnson, Sr., Esq., president and CEO of The Memorial Foundation and chair of the NCNW Associates, co-chairs of this year’s event. Toyota Motor Company of North America will once again be the presenting sponsors.

“It is always an honor to serve as one of the chairs of this event.  Dr. Height was my mentor and shared so many life lessons that have stayed with me,” said Herman. “One of those lessons was to acknowledge and lift others who have made a difference in our world. The Crystal Stair Award does just that. It honors an individual who had truly climbed to “Higher Heights.” We look forward to a wonderful evening.”

The gala is named in honor of NCNW President Emerita, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height, who led the organization for over 50 years and achieved notoriety due to her immense contributions to economic justice, civil rights, and education. To further honor her, the Crystal Stair Award is awarded to an individual who demonstrates a lifetime devoted to the protection of freedom and pursuit of excellence in career and personal dedication to humanity as did Dr. Height.  The 2021 recipients were Kenneth and Kathryn Chenault.

Mr. Johnson said, “Dr.  Dorothy Irene Height was a stalwart supporter of all people and lived her life to ensure that everyone’s civil rights were protected, especially women of color.  I consider it a high honor and privilege to serve as co-chair of this great event; we must continue to see the mission of NCNW fulfilled.  My co-chair and I invite you all to celebrate, commemorate but most of all keep the work and legacy of NCNW uplifted.”

NCNW is an “organization of organizations,” comprising 330 campus and community-based sections and 32 national women’s organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects more than 2,000,000 women and men. Its mission is to lead, advocate for, and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. It was founded in 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist.

For more information and to attend, visit https://uncommonheight.rsvpify.com.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) AUSTIN, Texas – Dr. Steven Williams, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of Tri Valley Plastic Surgery in Dublin, Calif., was named president of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the world’s largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons. Dr. Williams took office at Plastic Surgery The Meeting, the Society’s annual scientific meeting, on Oct. 30 in Austin, Texas. Dr. Williams will serve in the position for one year.

“I am proud to lead ASPS as the first African American president of the organization,” said Dr. Williams. “During this next chapter, I plan to enhance resources available to ASPS members and continue to keep patient safety at the forefront through technology and innovation, educational opportunities and a continued focus on diversity and inclusion to make reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery more accessible.”

A cornerstone of Dr. Williams’ plans as ASPS president will be to bring more advanced technology to ASPS’s member surgeons, to further improve and advance the world of reconstructive and cosmetic plastic surgery. Another area of critical importance to Dr. Williams is diversity and inclusion. He plans to expand the organization’s reach to ensure the needs of both physicians and patients from diverse backgrounds are met and that all voices are heard.

Dr. Williams earned his undergraduate degree at Dartmouth College and completed medical school and residency at Yale University, where he was the first African American to graduate from Yale’s plastic surgery program. He has been an active ASPS member for more than 15 years and has served as chair of the ASPS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, vice president of Aesthetic Surgery and Private Practice and vice president of Membership.

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 11,000 physician members worldwide, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 92 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

About The PSF

The Plastic Surgery Foundation (The PSF), founded in 1948, supports research, international volunteer programs and visiting professor programs. The foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life of patients through research and development. The PSF accomplishes its mission by providing invaluable support to the research of plastic surgery sciences through a variety of grant programs. The PSF works in concert with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Source:  American Society of Plastic Surgeons

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) — Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, announced The Black Bookselling Conference: Connect. Build. Elevate, a free virtual conference to take place on Nov. 1, 2023. This initiative aims to support Black-owned bookstores, Black booksellers and advocates by creating a curated space for dialogue and action. The Black Bookselling Conference will showcase a rich collection of books centering the histories and present-day realities of Black people in children’s literature while prioritizing Black stories, storytellers and the communities they serve and reflect.

The live broadcast event will include robust panels featuring bestselling authors and illustrators such as Tami Charles, Alaya Dawn Johnson and Jamar Nicholas as well as educators in children’s literature. The conference will aim to raise discoverability of future publishing from Black creators. An anchor of the program will be an open forum with Scholastic’s Trade publishing professionals to offer bookselling tools, merchandising materials and resources. In this session, a variety of topics and areas will be discussed, all with the purpose of providing a greater understanding of how best to support Black independent booksellers to achieve both their revenue and community goals. At the conclusion, attendees will be invited to participate in breakout sessions that blend community engagement and professional growth.

As part of conference registration, attendees will receive in the mail a complimentary kit in advance of the event that will include a copy of each participating author’s book, exclusive promotional materials, resources and more to support the programming throughout the event. Scholastic will also provide an accessibility grant to offset potential lost compensation resulting from attending the conference, aiming to increase access to the event.

To affirm the conference’s mission, Scholastic formed a steering committee of Black booksellers from around the country, including members from the American Bookseller Association and regional Trade organizations. They have been actively involved in the planning process, serving as ambassadors and helping to curate and weigh in on content that will deeply resonate and serve as a contribution to the Black bookselling community.

“We are thrilled to support the Black bookselling community from around the country with a much-needed platform focused on this vital group of professionals,” said Ellie Berger, EVP and president of Scholastic Trade Publishing. “With the strategic contributions from the steering committee, The Black Bookselling Conference will foster community while sharing an amazing slate of Scholastic authors and illustrators. We hope this conference sparks lively discussions and that participants feel empowered and walk away with new tools to enrich  their bookstores.”

“My hope for the Black Booksellers Conference is to help open the door to leveling the playing field,” said Julia Davis, owner of The Bookworm Bookstore. “So often we struggle to get some of the big-name authors, the financing and so much more to help us to not only stay open but to help make a difference in our community. The Black Bookseller Conference could be a great asset not only to the booksellers but the publisher, allowing the concerns and differences to be heard plus providing education and resources that black bookstores don’t always have access to.”

About Scholastic: For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children’s learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With international operations and exports in more than 135 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

Participating Authors:

• Shakirah Bourne, “Nightmare Island”
• Tami Charles, “We Are Here”
• Alaya Dawn Johnson, “The Library of Broken Worlds”
• Bernard Mensah, “Kwame’s Magic Quest”
• Tanisia Moore, “I Am My Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams”
• Jamar Nicholas, “Leon the Extraordinary”
• Jonathan Todd, “Timid: A Graphic Novel”
• Traci N. Todd, “Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes”

Steering Committee:

• Isis Asare, owner, sistah scifi
• Linda Marie Barrett, director, SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
• Tameca Blossom-Lyons, owner, Brown Babies Books
• Kathy Burnette, owner, Brain Lair Books
• Julia Davis, owner, The Book Worm Bookstore
• Heather Duncan, director, MPIBA Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association
• Candice Huber, membership relations coordinator, SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
• D.J. Johnson, owner, Baldwin and Co.
• Carrie Obrey, director, MIBA Midwest Independent Booksellers Association
• Kristin Rasmussen, CALIBA California Indie Bookseller Alliance
• Robin Wood, bookseller/social media coordinator, Books & Books/SIBA Southern Indie Bookseller Association
• K.C. Boyd, School Library Media Specialist, SLJ School Librarian of the Year, Washington, D.C.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Portland, OR – adidas recently announced the signing of Michael Penix Jr. and Rome Odunze to the brand’s growing Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) roster, marking the brand’s first football student-athletes. The Oct. 20 signing reflects a continued commitment by adidas to supporting student-athletes and empowering the next generation of athletes.

“I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with the adidas family. I’ve been in the three stripes my entire college career and their support has meant a lot to me. I’m excited about this unique opportunity to help further the brand and I’m appreciative of their investment in my university, my teammates and myself,” said Heisman contender Michael Penix Jr. “adidas has shown that they’re committed to student-athletes across the country and I’m thankful to be a part of their commitment.

”In contention for the Heisman Trophy, Washington Huskies quarterback Penix Jr. is one of four captains for the program, with 16 touchdowns and 1,999 passing yards in just five games this season. Last season, he was the nation’s (FBS) leader in passing yards per game (357.0) and was subsequently named the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year and placed on the All-Pac-12 Second Team.

Washington Huskies wide receiver Odunze joins the adidas family as one of Washington’s captains, having led the Pac-12 in receiving yards last season (1,145) and earning a place on the All-Pac-12 First Team. Ahead of the 2023 season, he was named to AP’s Preseason All-America First Team and a flurry of other preseason recognitions.`

`It’s an honor to be joining the adidas family as one of the brand’s first football NIL athletes,” said Rome Odunze. “adidas is committed to empowering me to shape my brand and my future, and I’m looking forward to inspiring the next generation of athletes.

”Both athletes will proudly represent the three stripes and participate in brand marketing campaigns.

Adidas’ partnership with the University of Washington dates back to 2019 and includes efforts to invest in student-athletes across all sports while also creating programs that increase representation and visibility for a more equitable future in sport. Penix Jr. and Odunze aren’t the first Huskies to join the adidas family, with softball star Kinsey Fiedler joining in 2022.

Student-athletes at Washington are also able to participate in the brand’s sweeping NIL network, which launched in July 2022 as a first-of-its-kind program aimed at creating a more equitable future in sport. The adidas NIL network boasts thousands of active student-athletes representing over 25 sports, including hundreds of athletes from Washington across 14 sports on campus.

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(Black PR Wire) LAS VEGAS, NV – The highly anticipated 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, the “Greatest Night in Gospel Music,” culminated in a spectacular celebration of talent, faith, and inspiration. Hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards captivated audiences with powerhouse performances and heartfelt moments that brought the power of Gospel music to life. During a star-studded ceremony held on Saturday at Las Vegas’ Orleans Arena, the winners in key categories were unveiled, highlighting the remarkable achievements and contributions of Gospel music artists and industry professionals. Other categories were awarded in Pre-Show festivities. Dottie Peoples received the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Legends Award. 

The show opened with an electrifying performance of “Miracles” and “Impossible” by Kierra Sheard Kelly and Pastor Mike Jr., the night’s biggest winner. Pastor Mike, Jr. earned eight awards for his work on the album “Winning,” released under Blacksmoke Music Worldwide. The project was named Album of the Year and Contemporary Album of the Year, while Pastor Mike, Jr. also took home the prestigious Song of the Year Presented by McDonald’s, Artist of the Year Presented by Dream In Black, Male Artist of the Year, Contemporary Male Artist of the Year, Music Video of the Year, and Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year awards. 

DOE, who entered the industry with her family as a member of the group Forever Jones, praised her way to solo success earning three trophies, including the Albertina Walker Female Artist of the Year Presented by Walmart, Contemporary Female Artist of the Year, and Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year for her album “Clarity,” released under Life Room Label/RCA Inspiration. Zacardi Cortez also brought home three statues, earning awards for Traditional Male Artist of the Year Presented by Bevel, Traditional Album of the Year, and Praise and Worship Song of the Year for his album “Imprint,” released under Blacksmoke Music Worldwide. 

The collaborative effort of Maverick City Music x Kirk Franklin resulted in their joint album “Kingdom Book One” winning in two categories, Duo/Chorus Group of the Year Presented by P&G and Contemporary Duo/Chorus Group of the Year. Tye Tribbett also brought home two awards, including Producer Of The Year Presented by AFLAC and Recorded Music Packaging Of The Year. 

Lena Byrd Miles earned the New Artist of the Year award for her My Block Records project “Brand New,” Bishop T.D. Jakes won Special Event Album Of The Year, Tasha Cobbs Leonard won for Praise and Worship Album Of The Year, Lecrae was a winner for Rap Hip Hop Gospel Album Of The Year, and Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson was honored with Quartet Of The Year. A complete list of winners is available at www.stellarawards.com.

In addition to the award recipients, special honorees were recognized for their invaluable contributions to the Gospel music industry. CeCe Winans received the prestigious Aretha Franklin Icon Award Presented by State Farm, recognizing her exceptional talent and enduring impact. Winans also gave a moving performance of her song “Goodness of God” from her album “Believe For It.” Reverend Dr. Milton Biggham was honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award Presented by Verizon in recognition of his lifetime dedication to spreading the uplifting message of Gospel music. Additionally, Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones was presented with the Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding contributions and influential career. 

Show co-hosts McReynolds and Cobbs Leonard delivered huge performances that will uplift and inspire audiences worldwide, while an exclusive Reunion Tour preview performance featuring Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton, and Tye Tribbett brought the house down! Viewers can also look forward to powerhouse performances by Charles Jenkins, DOE, Dottie Peoples, Isaac Carree, Jevon Dewand and The TrapStarz, Kierra Sheard-Kelly, Naomi Raine, Natalie Grant, Maranda Curtis, Tim Bowman Jr. & Faith City Music, Zacardi Cortez, and Zak Williams & 1 Akord. Performing on the AT&T Emerging Voices stage, Byrd Miles, Bishop S.Y. Younger, and Victory will delight audiences with their rich vocals and undeniable stage presence. 

Presenters for the evening include Adrienne Bailon-Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Lady Tramaine Hawkins, Brian Courtney Wilson, Erica Campbell, Isabel Davis, James Fortune, Koryn Hawthorne, Jason Clayborn, NOTKARLTONBANKS, Pastor Shirley Caesar and Travis Greene. 

AT&T Dream in Black proudly serves as the presenting sponsor for the 38th Annual Stellar Awards. Additionally, esteemed companies such as Aflac, GM, Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, McDonald’s, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Spotify, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart joined as supporters of this year’s program.  

The 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards celebrates the rich diversity and unwavering spirit of Gospel music, showcasing its profound impact on audiences worldwide. The winners and honorees exemplify the power of faith, talent, and dedication within the Gospel music community. This year’s ceremony will touch the hearts of viewers across the nation when it premieres on the newly launched Stellar Network on Sunday, July 30 at 6:00 p.m. ET (available on Charter Spectrum, Verizon Fios, and Xumo Play), followed by a broadcast on BET on Sunday, August 6 at 8:00 p.m. ET and Bounce on September 3 at 1:00 p.m. ET. The show will also be broadcast nationally through TV syndication from August 7, 2023, to September 10, 2023. Please check with your local provider for availability in your area. 

The 38th Stellar Gospel Music Awards show is Executive Produced by Don Jackson, with Jennifer J. Jackson serving as Executive in Charge of Production and Producer. Michael A. Johnson will produce and direct this year’s award show.

For more information about the Stellar Gospel Music Awards, please visit www.stellarawards.com. Stay connected and follow the Stellar Gospel Music Awards on social media: @thestellars on Instagram and Twitter and Stellar Gospel Music Awards on Facebook.

The post PRESS ROOM: Celebrating excellence in gospel music: winners of the 38th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards revealed, with the Pastor Mike, Jr. sweeping the ceremony with the eight trophies appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

(Black PR Wire) New York, NY – SheaMoisture is teaming up with The Roku Channel and MACRO Television Studios to debut “The Next Black Millionaires,” a docuseries that captures the journey of hree ambitious entrepreneurs growing their passions into million-dollar businesses.

The six-episode Roku Original docuseries, produced by MACRO Television Studios, invites viewers to meet the winners of the SheaMoisture Next Black Millionaires program:

● Dorian Morris, Undefined Beauty: With a purpose-driven mission to the industry and democratize beauty, Dorian Morris launched Undefined Beauty, a beauty/wellness lifestyle brand focused on clean, conscious, inclusive plant magic. She is demystifying plant-powered solutions through an unapologetic, uncompromising, unfiltered approach to; skincare by pairing ancient plant wisdom with clinically proven activities that perform without breaking the bank. Visit www.undefinedco.com.

● LaToya Stirrup, KAZMALEJE: Tired of long wash days and excessive shedding while detangling, LaToya Stirrup and her two sisters decided it was time the world catered to their hair types. They took the idea of finger detangling and adapted it into their KAZMALEJE hair tools that became so popular they are now available in mass retail. Visit www.kazmaleje.com.

● Neil Hudson, Scotch Boyz: Started by Neil Hudson and his three childhood friends, Scotch Boyz began at a BBQ competition in Jamaica. After winning, people kept on reaching out for more sauce, so they decided to start their own company. Scotch Boyz, a sauce and seasoning brand, brings the unique island flavors of Jamaica to you, no matter where in the world you may be.
Learn more at @Scotchboyz on Instagram.

The docuseries takes a deep dive into the entrepreneurs’ journeys as they overcome obstacles, navigate relationships, and scale their businesses, all while leaning on the community around them. All episodes will be available to stream on The Roku Channel starting Friday, July 7. The Roku Channel is easily accessible through Roku devices or TVs, online at TheRokuChannel.com, iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire TVs, and select Samsung TVs.

“At SheaMoisture, we believe in purposeful beauty which is being accountable to those that we serve. This means that from the products we create to how we show up with purpose, our mission is underscored by the dedication we have to the Black community,” said Cara Sabin, CEO at SheaMoisture and CEO of Beauty; Wellbeing, Unilever North America. “We are thrilled to debut this docuseries because we get to highlight these three amazing entrepreneurs. We also get to shed light on what the path to a million-dollar business looks like, the power of intentional investment, and the nuances in the journey experienced by Black business owners.”

“It is an honor to partner with SheaMoisture and MARCO Television Studios to capture the inspiring stories of the savvy, driven, and exceptional entrepreneurs featured in ‘The Next Black Millionaires.’ The series encapsulates our commitment to elevating voices reflective of our diverse audience,” said Brian Tannenbaum, Head of Originals, Roku Media. “‘The Next Black Millionaires’ demonstrates how Roku can work in unison with a great brand partner to not only produce standout content, but also harness the undisputed power of the platform to bring that content to millions of streamers.”

Erika Bryant is the showrunner and an executive producer along with Stacey Walker King and Aisha Corpas Wynn for MACRO Television Studios; Richelieu Dennis of New Voices; and Cara Sabin, Simone Jordan, and Kelly Mullen for SheaMoisture and parent company Unilever.

“We are thrilled to bring such an important project to life with our incredible and committed partners SheaMoisture and Roku,” said Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer, MACRO and Executive Producer of the series. “We believe that the stories of these three talented founders will not only illuminate the entrepreneurial journey that is so often hidden behind the scenes, but will also encourage and inspire a new generation of business owners and leaders.”

“It was such a privilege and honor to serve as showrunner and executive producer of such a groundbreaking series that highlights these dynamic entrepreneurs as they navigate growing their respective businesses,” said Erika Bryant, Show Runner and Executive Producer, MACRO. “Along with my team of producers, I am thrilled to have played an integral part in sharing their journeys with the world and excited for their innovative brands to become household names.”

The Next Black Millionaires program was created by SheaMoisture, in partnership with the New Voices Foundation, in 2021 with an ambition to provide Black entrepreneurs with funding, retail distribution consulting, mentoring and executive coaching, access to an investment pipeline, and more—all to support these entrepreneurs in their journey growing million-dollar businesses.

“The New Voices Foundation is a groundbreaking, community-building effort that is building a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women of color to advance their significant contributions to our economy and society. We are proud to continue our partnership with The Next Black Millionaires program and share how we’re future-proofing our entrepreneur community through purpose, access, capital and expertise as well as leadership development, skill-building, and networking opportunities,” says Richelieu Dennis, Founder, Executive Chair; Head Intern of Sundial Group, CEO of Essence Ventures, NewVoicesFamily, and GroupBlack.

SheaMoisture is also proud to announce that beginning on July 9, Target will carry top products from each winner’s brand at 600 locations nationwide and online at Target.com. The products will be featured in Next Black Millionaires-branded displays, providing critical distribution and exposure that will allow these entrepreneurs the ability to expand and scale their businesses.

Beyond the Next Black Millionaires program, SheaMoisture has a long-standing commitment to investing in the Black community and creating Black generational wealth. When Unilever acquired Sundial Brands, the parent company of SheaMoisture, in 2017, the New Voices Fund was created and initiated with funding from Unilever and Sundial’s founder, Richelieu Dennis. The Fund invests in entrepreneurs of color and the initial Fund 1 investment has led to the creation of 18 millionaires, defined by New Voices as the fair market value of ownership interests in their businesses.

Ahead of the series launch, SheaMoisture and Roku will host a screening of “The Next Black Millionaires” at the brand’s “A Great Day in Harlem” pop-up activation hosted during the Essence Festival of Culture on Saturday, July 1 in New Orleans, La.

Launched in 2017, The Roku Channel is the home of free and premium entertainment on the Roku platform. In Q4 2022, The Roku Channel reached U.S. households with an estimated 100 million people.

The Roku Channel was a top 5 channel on the Roku platform by active account reach and streaming hour engagement in Q1 2023. Today, The Roku Channel features a diverse lineup of more than 80,000 free movies and programs and more than 350 free live linear television channels in the U.S. It licenses and distributes content from more than 250 partners.

For more information about “The Next Black Millionaires” and details about the next class of submissions, you can visit sheamoisture.com/nextblackmillionaires or follow the brand @SheaMoisture on Instagram.

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About SheaMoisture
SheaMoisture is a global beauty and personal care leader committed to serving the Black community through strategic investment and community give back. SheaMoisture recognizes the power of entrepreneurship in addressing racial inequality with the belief that commerce can bring true economic
independence. Every year SheaMoisture reinvests at least 1% of net sales directly into economic opportunities for underserved entrepreneurs and Black business owners. With every purchase, you’re helping to fund investments that support funding for Black-owned business, entrepreneurial education, crisis response, equitable purchasing, and ethical sourcing. SheaMoisture develops no compromise beauty products that help every member of the Black community live their healthiest, most beautiful lives. Shea butter is one of the brand’s core ingredients, praised for its hydrating and nourishing properties, and sourced from women-led cooperatives in West Africa, providing fair wages and creating
economic opportunities. The company offers products in the hair care, bath, body, skin care, baby and men’s categories, and is distributed in retailers throughout the world. SheaMoisture is a subsidiary of nilever. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

About Roku
Roku pioneered streaming on TV. We connect users to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers with unique capabilities to engage consumers. Roku TV™ models, Roku streaming players, and TV-related audio devices are available in
various countries around the world through direct retail sales and/or licensing arrangements with TV OEM brands. Roku-branded TVs and Roku Smart Home products are sold exclusively in the United States. Roku also operates The Roku Channel, the home of free and premium entertainment with exclusive access to Roku Originals. The Roku Channel is available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Roku is headquartered in San Jose, Calif., U.S.A.
Roku is a registered trademark of Roku, Inc. in the U.S. and in other countries. Trade names, trademarks, and service marks of other companies appearing in this press release are the property of their respective holders.

About MACRO Television Studios
MACRO Television Studios is a division of MACRO, the multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black people and people of color launched in 2015 by Founder; CEO Charles D. King. MACRO Television Studios’ produced the critically-acclaimed Netflix series—The Children and Family Emmy Award nominated Raising Dion and the Peabody Award nominee Gentefied. The company’s multiple business verticals also include film (MACRO Film Studios) that finances, develops and produces theatrical and streaming features and premium television, a wholly-owned talent, brand
management and entertainment strategy firm (UNCMMN) and an in-house branding and creative agency (Brand MACRO). In addition, MACRO has a majority interest in the company’s joint venture—a full-service talent management firm (M88) and an affiliated venture firm (MaC Venture Capital). The company’s film projects have fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins. Go to https://www.staymacro.com/about for more information on the company.

About New Voices Foundation
New Voices Foundation is a ground-breaking, community-building effort designed to build a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women of color to advance their significant contributions to our economy and society. Driven by its PACE (Purpose.Access.Capital.Expertise.) model, New Voices offers
women of color entrepreneurs access to capital, leadership development, skill-building, and networking opportunities via entrepreneurial summits, accelerators, bootcamps, pitch competitions, mentoring and coaching, and more. Subscribe to our newsletter at https://newvoicesfoundation.org/newsletter/ to stay updated on all of our funding, learning, and networking opportunities for women of color-owned businesses.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire)━Morehouse College has appointed Dr. Derrick Brooms as the new executive director of its Black Men’s Research Institute (BMRI) beginning August 1. An award-winning scholar, activist, educator, speaker, and writer, Brooms brings over two decades of higher education experience, where his education research primarily centers on Black men and boys’ pathways to and through college, their engagement on campus and identity development, as well as their lived experiences and representations in the media.  

Brooms joins Morehouse from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he is a professor of Africana studies and sociology and the associate department head of Africana studies. Through research, teaching, service, and community/collaborative work, Brooms is committed to educational equity, inclusion, and racial justice.  

“As the only higher education institution with a mission to prepare Black men for careers of leadership and service, Morehouse College is uniquely positioned to generate new scholarship centered on Black men and their communities through the BMRI, as well as to contribute to conversations and inform policy related to social justice,” said Brooms. “It is with great honor that I accept this role as we endeavor to explore and explain the multifaceted dimensions of Black male identity, challenges, and triumphs.  

Dr. Kendrick Brown, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Morehouse College said, “Dr. Brooms’ unwavering commitment to the advancement of Black men aligns perfectly with Morehouse’s mission. His leadership will undoubtedly strengthen our efforts to address the unique challenges faced by Black men and cultivate a more inclusive and equitable society.”   

Funded through a four-year grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the BMRI is a crucial, pioneering initiative designed for the research, education, and engagement of Black men and their allies on the economic, social, cultural, and personal outcomes of issues affecting Black men in the U.S. and internationally, while equipping these communities with the knowledge and tools to navigate and challenge a society constructed in ways that may marginalize Black men’s contributions and humanity.   

For more information about Morehouse College’s Black Men’s Research Institute, visit morehouse.edu/BMRI.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) Carson, CA – MTV Entertainment Studios (MTVE) today announced it will host a mental health event featuring Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California. This is the second event MTVE has hosted in collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration to mark Mental Health Action Day, an open-source global movement spearheaded by MTVE to shift culture from awareness to action. This year, nearly 2,000 nonprofit organizations, brands, government agencies and cultural leaders around the world will participate in amplifying mental health actions in their communities.

At the event, Vice President Harris will be joined by a to-be-announced celebrity guest and youth leaders who are experienced in supporting their peers through mental health challenges.

The event, which is part of MTVE’s Mental Health is Health initiative, aims to empower young people to seek out and educate themselves about peer support programs on their campuses and in their communities. It will be primarily targeted to CSUDH students. Invitations will be extended closer to the event date.

Over the past two decades, mental health struggles have risen dramatically, especially among young adults. While more than 80% of young adults say they will turn to a friend first when they are struggling, the majority of peers say they don’t feel equipped to respond effectively. Vice President Harris and the celebrity guest will speak directly with young Americans about the importance of recognizing how to help a friend when they are struggling with their mental health, while continuing to shift the culture of mental health from awareness to action.

“We are honored to continue working in collaboration with the Biden-Harris Administration in our shared commitment to encourage action around mental health, particularly among young people,” said Brianna Cayo Cotter, SVP of Social Impact, MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “As we mark the third-annual Mental Health Action Day, we are delighted to join Vice President Kamala Harris along with the administration and students of CSUDH to talk about the power of friends supporting friends with their mental health.”

“As a university with nearly 90 percent students of color, CSUDH is honored to welcome Vice President Harris to campus for this historic visit,” said CSUDH President Thomas A. Parham. “As a Black psychologist, I know that mental health is one of the most pressing matters facing our students, and one which must be addressed at the highest levels of government. CSUDH students deserve the opportunity to engage with a trailblazing leader like Vice President Harris on critical issues affecting their education and everyday lives. We are all excited to elevate the conversation around mental health on a national platform, and are thrilled she has chosen CSUDH.”

In 2022, MTV Entertainment Studio hosted the first-ever Mental Health Youth Action Forum at the White House together with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy, and Selena Gomez. On the day before Mental Health Action Day, the forum showcased youth mental health activists and creators who brought their respective experiences in mental health advocacy and content creation to showcase campaigns they developed to inspire their peers to take action to support both themselves and their friends’ mental health. Since the event, MTV Entertainment partnered with select participants to launch “Hidden Healers,” a first-of-its-kind digital video series that elevates, uplifts and centers culturally grounded healing practices from BIPOC communities.

About Mental Health Action Day

Mental Health Action Day is an open-source movement of more than 1,800 brands, organizations, government agencies, and cultural leaders to drive culture from mental health awareness to mental health action.

The third Mental Health Action Day will take place on Thursday, May 18, 2023, with a mission to encourage and empower people to take action on mental health — whether for themselves, for their loved ones, or for their communities, because mental health is health.

Learn more at mentalhealthactionday.org and mentalhealthishealth.us.

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(Black PR Wire) Los Angeles, CA – The “Queen of Hip Hop Soul,” will be the queen of this summer with two new original movies inspired by Mary J. Blige’s biggest hits — Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman, set to premiere on back-to-back Saturdays, beginning June 10 at 8p/7c. The two-pack of movies are headlined by Ajiona Alexus (Empire, 13 Reasons Why) and Da’Vinchi (BMF, All American) with Princess Davis, Austin Anozie, Millan Tesfazgi, Shiraine Haas, Garfield Wilson and Hamza Fouad rounding out the cast, and portrays the highs and lows of young Black love.

 Real Love follows 18-year-old Kendra (Alexus) as she sets off on her own for the first time at an HBCU in North Carolina. Attending on a scholarship, Kendra is determined to focus on school while balancing work study and keeping things professional with Ben (Da’Vinchi), her photo class partner. Despite disapproving parents, financial hardship, and even an unexpected pregnancy, Kendra and Ben find themselves falling hard for each other and ultimately learning the meaning of “Real Love.” Even when Kendra realizes that in order to pursue her dreams, she must leave Ben behind, it’s certain that their story isn’t over….

The story of Kendra and Ben continues in Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman, jumping ahead more than 15 years. Now a successful photographer, Kendra finds herself in a failing marriage and must reckon with the decisions she made for the life she thought she wanted. When Ben unexpectedly comes back into her life, she is forced to a crisis point and must dig deep to find the strength to take control of her life and accept the love Ben may be offering again.

In support of the content, Lifetime has partnered with Take Back The Night Foundation®, an international event and non-profit organization with the mission of ending all forms of sexual violence, including sexual assault, sexual abuse, trafficking, stalking, gender harassment, and relationship violence, and to support survivors in their healing journeys.

Helming both movies as executive producers are John Davis and Jordan Davis of Davis Entertainment. Jordan recently produced Lifetime’s highly rated film, Love You to Death, inspired by the story of Gypsy Rose Blanchard. Jordan is also a producer on Netflix’s upcoming science-fiction/fantasy film The Uglies, starring Joey King and Laverne Cox.  Set to be released this year, development on the project dates back to 2006 as it was a favorite novel of Jordan and her daughter’s.  Veteran film, television and award-winning producer John Davis is known for more than 115 top grossing feature films including Jungle Cruise, Predator, Grumpy Old Men, Waterworld and most recently Prey, to name a few.

Mary J. Blige also serves as an executive producer on both original films through her own production banner, Blue Butterfly with Ashaunna K. Ayars and Q. Nicole Jackson as co-producers. Blige has a proven track record of resonating with Lifetime’s audiences, having previously executive produced Lifetime’s top-rated original movie of 2020, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel alongside fellow EPs Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott.  In 2020, The Clark Sisters reached more than 13.9 million Total Viewers and was 2020’s #1 original movie on cable. Blige also starred as Dr. Betty Shabazz in her first movie role in the Lifetime civil rights biopic Betty & Coretta, with Angela Bassett.

In addition, Mary J. Blige’s Real Love and Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman are also produced by Front Street Pictures and are being distributed by Sony Pictures Television. Camrus Johnson directs Real Love from a script written by Sonja Warfield and Rachel Ingram, and Shari Lynette Carpenter directs Strength of a Woman from a script written by Ingram.

The post Mary J. Blige Executive Produces Lifetime’s ‘Real Love’ and ‘Strength of a Woman’ – premiering June 10 & June 17 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

(Black PR Wire) Prince George’s County, Maryland – National College Resources Foundation is proud to announce the 20th Annual DC/MD Black College Expo™ Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Rd., Bowie Maryland 20715, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The expo shares the rich history and legacy of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Attendees can meet with over 60 colleges, including HBCUs and other colleges, participate in workshops from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and stay for an After Show from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., hosted by celebrity guests.

At the expo, students can be accepted to a college on the spot, have their college application fees waived and receive thousands of dollars in grants and scholarships. Though designed primarily for high school students and for college students looking to transfer to a four-year college, the 20th Annual DC/MD Black College Expo™ is also open to adult learners looking for higher education opportunities. Students, educators, parents, and caregivers of all backgrounds are invited. Parents are encouraged to bring students as young as 6th grade to help enhance their early college planning.

“We are the information and resource hub for inner city communities around the country. We want to help students elevate their lives so they can achieve their dreams of being successful. This includes adult learners, who had to put their educational goals on hold to have a family or work a job to survive. We know that education is a game changer,” says Dr. Theresa Price, NCRF Founder and CEO.

In addition to getting connected to college recruiters, students will be able to attend motivating and informative seminars and workshops, including How to Find Money for College, Booming Careers, Why Attend an HBCU?, How to Start a Business and new this year, The Power of Your Voice – The Steps to Becoming Change in Your Community.

Presented by National College Resources Foundation, this year’s expo is sponsored by US Army ROTC, Toyota, Wells Fargo, Active Minds and Foundation Clothing Co.

“The communities in the metro DC/Maryland area have been an essential part of the BCE family for so many years, we are especially excited to celebrate the 20th Annual DC/MD Black College Expo™”, adds Dr. Theresa Price.

For more information on sponsorship/partnership opportunities visit www.ncrfoundation.org or call 877-427-4100 or email info@ncrfoundation.org.

About the Black College Expo™ 

Black College Expo™ (BCE) is a trademarked program of National College Resources Foundation (NCRF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational enhancement organization serving over 200,000 students annually. BCE was founded in 1999 by Dr. Theresa Price to serve as a vital link between minorities and college admissions. NCRF’s mission is to curtail the high school dropout rate and increase degree and/or certificate enrollment among underserved, underrepresented, at-risk, low-resource, homeless and foster students. NCRF’s vision is to close the gap in educational achievement and workforce and economic disparities, with the goal of ending racism and racial inequalities.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – In honor of Women’s History Month, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture’s (NMAAHC) March programming features events with prominent Black women in the arts and entertainment industry. To kick off the month, businesswoman and former chairman and CEO of BET Debra Lee discuss the joys and challenges of being a Black woman executive in the entertainment industry in a conversation about her new memoir, I Am Debra Lee. The museum will also host a dialogue featuring artists Deborah Willis, Amy Sherald and Bisa Butler centering on portraiture of African American women and social justice.

Later in the month, the museum will debut a major, thought-provoking new exhibition, “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures,” March 24. Investigating Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism and more, this exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture. From the enslaved looking to the cosmos for freedom to popular sci-fi stories inspiring Black astronauts, to the musical influence of Sun Ra, OutKast, P-Funk and more, this exhibition covers the broad and impactful spectrum of Afrofuturism.

“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” will be on view in the museum’s Bank of America Special Exhibitions Gallery from March 24 through March 24, 2024. For more details about the new exhibition and to sign up for additional updates, the public can visit the museum’s Afrofuturism website.

Other programming in March includes “History Alive!: Tuskegee Airmen: African American Aviators During World War II” as told by living-history interpreter John McCaskill, a Spring STEM Teacher Workshop: Contributions in Agriculture led by STEM Education Specialist Christopher Williams and a virtual cooking demonstration and conversation with Chef Jonny Rhodes.

Highlights of March Programs

Historically Speaking: I Am Debra Lee
Friday, March 10; 7 p.m. ET (Oprah Winfrey Theater + streaming)
In her recent memoir, Debra Lee explores the joys and challenges of being a high-powered Black woman executive in the entertainment industry. As the woman who brought television shows like “The Game” and “Being Mary Jane” to cable television, Lee has been responsible for elevating Black images and storytelling for decades. In I Am Debra Lee, the author shares her own story in an intimate and eye-opening tale about her career in entertainment. Michel Martin, weekend host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” will moderate the conversation. Signed books will be available for sale courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises. Admission is free, however, registration is required.

The Simmons Talks: Portraiture at the Intersection of Art and History: A Conversation Between Deborah Willis, Amy Sherald and Bisa Butler
Thursday, March 16; 7 p.m. ET (Oprah Winfrey Theater + streaming)
During the inaugural program speakers’ series, “The Simmons Talks,” endowed by Ruth Simmons, Ph.D., NMAAHC council member and current president of Prairie View A&M University, NMAAHC will host a dialogue centering on portraiture, African American women and social justice. Renowned scholar and artist Deborah Willis leads a discussion with Amy Sherald and Bisa Butler and their moving works recently on view in the NMAAHC exhibition “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.” Admission is free, however, registration is required.

Spring STEM Teacher Workshop: Contributions in Agriculture
Saturday, March 25; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. (second-floor classrooms)
NMAAHC invites all interested third–eighth-grade educators to register for a half-day, in-person workshop led by NMAAHC STEM Education Specialist Christopher Williams. Participants will learn about the agricultural contributions of African Americans and discover the inventions and strategies they used to produce food for themselves and their communities. Participants will explore NMAAHC’s collections, discover the history of rice cultivation in the United States, engage in STEM activities for the classroom and understand the ways African American farmers continue to reclaim their place in the agricultural world. Those who complete the workshop will be eligible to receive five hours of teacher professional development credit. Admission is free; however, registration is required.

History Alive!: Tuskegee Airmen: African American Aviators During World War II
Saturday, March 25; 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 1 p.m.
(Colin Powell Double Victory: The African American Military Gallery)
The Tuskegee Airmen were African American aviators who earned the right to fly combat during World War II. The Tuskegee Experience encompassed more than just the pilots—some were Caucasian and some were women. Visitors can learn about their experiences, their legacy and why their story is important today. John McCaskill, NMAAHC’s living-history interpreter, shares how those engaged in the military made their service useful not only for the good of their country, but also to benefit their personal lives and their community.

Virtual Cooking Demo and Conversation With Chef Jonny Rhodes
Saturday, March 25, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. ET (Streaming)
The public can virtually join Chef Jonny Rhodes of Food Fight Farms and Broham Soul Food & Groceries and Ashley Young, Ph.D., historian of the American Food History Project at the NMAAHC, for a cooking demonstration and lively discussion about the stories food can tell of how communities intersected in the past. Rhodes is heavily influenced by the history of his hometown of Houston and has made it his mission to bring awareness to past injustices and how African Americans can be better equipped to live a self-sustaining lifestyle.  

Food Fight Farms grows fresh produce with the specific intent of processing those goods into shelf-stable foods. The menu will showcase items that have been grown from seed and manufactured into products such as pickles, preserves, condiments and more. Registration is $20 and meal kit ingredients will be shipped frozen overnight to participants.

About the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Since opening Sept. 24, 2016, the National Museum of African American History and Culture has welcomed more than 8.5 million visitors. Occupying a prominent location next to the Washington Monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history. For more information about the museum, visit nmaahc.si.edu, follow @NMAAHC on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or call Smithsonian information at (202) 633-1000.

The post Conversations With Debra Lee, Amy Sherald, Deborah Willis and Bisa Butler headline National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Women’s History Month celebrations appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By Black PR Wire

Hampton, Va. – Hampton University has again distinguished itself in establishing the Hampton University Repertory Theatre to provide professional theatre offerings for the University and Hampton Roads Community.

“One of our goals is to present engaging, thought-provoking, professional theatre for the campus and community,” says Dr. Karen Turner Ward, artistic director for the Hampton University Repertory Theatre.  Ward is the Old Dominion Endowed Professor of Fine and Performing Arts at Hampton University and has more than 30 years of experience in writing, directing, acting, and producing in theatre.

Establishing a professional theatre on an HBCU campus provides a platform for professional theatre practitioners, playwrights, designers, directors, and actors to showcase world premieres and set the stage for theatergoers to enjoy many of their all-time favorites.  The Hampton University Repertory has the support of an impressive advisory council comprised of Hampton University award-winning theatre and media alums, industry professionals, and successful business advisors — all committed to the University and its distinguished arts legacy. 

“On behalf of everyone on the advisory council board of the Hampton University Repertory Theatre, we’re honored to be a part of this historic endeavor of being the first and only repertory theatre housed on a historically Black university campus. We are all examples of why ‘The Arts Live Here,’ and we celebrate the commitment that President Darrell K. Williams, the students, deans, faculty, and staff have to making it a great success,” said Richard Montgomery, advisory council chairman, 1979 Hampton alum, filmmaker, and imaginer at RixStar Studios.

“I credit my experiences in the Little Theatre on campus as the catalyst for my career in Hollywood. My dream began in the costume shop on the second floor of Armstrong Hall and took me to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Hampton University Repertory Theatre can provide that same inspiration for students who want to pursue a career in the arts, TV, and film industries. I’ve also established an endowed scholarship to assist students with financial aid to help make their dreams come true,” said Ruth E. Carter, 1982 Hampton Alumna, Oscar-award-winning costume designer, and Hollywood Walk of Fame Honoree.

“I know that the theatre department at Hampton gave me the education for life that has guided me on my 37-year career in the entertainment industry. First as an actor in major Hollywood feature films, then as a producer making independent feature films, and now as a producer and development executive at a major cable network. I know the Hampton Repertory Theater will provide students with the same exposure and experience that helped me succeed. I look forward to working with the advisory council and being a resource for its continued development,” says Raye Dowell, 1982 Hampton alum, BET Networks.

“I think it’s great exposure for the school, being the first HBCU to be able to operate with a repertory theater company and mainly to provide the residents of Virginia the opportunity to work in professional theater with people that have been on Broadway and have been on television,” said advisory council member Kris Coleman, 1998 Hampton alum, Broadway and television actor.

The staff has an impressive lineup of theatre offerings that will take center stage beginning in the spring of 2023 and including star-studded casts. Not only will Hampton Roads audiences benefit from the establishment of the Hampton University Repertory, but Hampton students will also have the opportunity to view professional theatre on their own campus. An additional benefit will be students’ opportunity to work alongside professional theatre practitioners as repertory interns.

This opportunity to house a professional theatre company on the Hampton University campus and expose our students to theatre industry icons personifies President Darrell K. Williams’ commitment to deliver The #1 Student Experience in America.

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By Black PR Wire

HOUSTON – The 2023 National Urban League Conference, returning to Houston after 24 years, will attract thousands of the nation’s most forward-thinking community and business leaders for four days of world-class speakers, informative workshops, dynamic entertainment, and networking events.

National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Houston Area Urban League President and CEO Judson Robinson, III, made the announcement today (Feb. 19) at Houston City Hall.

In keeping with the National Urban League’s tradition, major-party presidential candidates will be invited to address the Conference.

“The Urban League Movement’s goals in the areas of employment and entrepreneurship, education, housing and health care are threatened by a rising tide of racial polarization and extremism in our governing institutions,” Morial said. “Uniting the country means removing systemic roadblocks to opportunity and embracing multicultural democracy. That’s what this Conference will explore.”

Hosted by the Houston Area Urban League, the Conference is slated for July 26-29 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.  Presented in partnership with Conference Leaders Bank of America, Nationwide, Shell, Toyota, and UPS, the Conference will explore the challenges of systemic racism, discrimination, and barriers to opportunity in every aspect of the current social and economic landscape and bring together leading innovators and trailblazers in business and industry, government, and community to chart a path to success.

“In this very moment – life changing issues like rollbacks in pandemic Medicare coverage, voting rights, diverse cultural studies, and the questioning of the value of diversity and inclusion practices in hiring are directly impacting the communities we serve,” Robinson said. There is no better place or time to facilitate these critical conversations and push for greater equity than in the State of Texas.

“The issues facing the populations we serve in the Houston Area and across this state, are issues that span Urban League populations across this nation. We are proud to be the host city for this year’s annual conference and we are particularly proud to continue to champion the communities we serve, on a national stage.” 

Morial and Robinson were joined by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner who discussed the impact of the Conference and the opportunities it presents for the region and community, and U.S. Reps. Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green.

“The City of Houston is a proud partner and supporter of the Houston Area Urban League and is eager to welcome the National Urban League Conference,” Turner said. “Not only will the Conference bring a significant economic impact, but it will provide incredible opportunities for the local community to explore new careers, education options, and other informative and entertaining events.”

In addition to dynamic panel discussions, forums and plenary sessions for registered attendees, the Conference features free events open to the public:

The N.U.L. Experience & Expo brings together exhibitors from around the country for demonstrations, presentations, entertainment, product giveaways, games and other exciting activities.

National Urban League Community & Family Day, featuring informative exhibits, free health screenings, legal clinics, live entertainment sessions, games with prizes, and backpacks loaded with school supplies for K-12 students.  A special Career Fair will allow Houstonians to interview for job opportunities on the spot.

Project Ready College Fair, featuring colleges and universities from across the country, and information on financial aid, scholarships, and college access organizations.

The Small Business Matters Entrepreneurship Summit, a day filled with workshops, resources, and networking to help launch or your business to the next level, including networking with industry leaders, potential investors and successful entrepreneurs, valuable information about MBE certification process and how to do business with Fortune 500 companies, and a pitch contest with cash prizes for the best business ideas.

A Virtual Conference featuring special sessions for those who want to log in from home, including a nationwide Career Fair with more than 50 employers, featuring free resume reviews, LinkedIn profile reviews and professional career coaching.

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By Black PR Wire

(Miami, FL) – Ever wonder why Black Media is so important? Black media plays a critical role in reaching and activating Black audiences. It creates a space where the Black community can have a voice and speak for themselves about issues of importance and combat the stereotypes that harm them. Black media covers the issues affecting the Black community earlier and in-depth, with more Black voices than their mainstream counterparts*.  

On February 23, 2023 at 12:00 PM (PT)/3:00 PM (ET), Business Wire and Black PR Wire will present the State of Black Media Webinar featuring media experts and professionals from around the nation. Panelists will share powerful insights and meaningful information on the role of Black media in our society.    

This expert panel will discuss:

• Changes in publishing and news consumption
• Post-pandemic publishing for Black media.
• Black Media challenges and opportunities
• Best practices to build relationships with Black media
• Turning Black History Month PR outreach into a yearlong program

Panelists for this dynamic event include:

Bernadette Morris

CEO and Founder, Black PR Wire/Sonshine Communications

Bernadette Morris is a dedicated community leader and successful business owner/executive. Bernadette owns three companies: Sonshine Communications, founded in 1993; Black PR Wire, Inc., founded in 2000; and Women Grow Strong, founded in 2007. Black PR Wire is an online newswire distribution company providing key news and information to Black media in the U.S. and the Caribbean 24/7.

Cheryl Thompson-Morton

Black Media Initiative Director, Center for Community Media/CCM Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY

In her role as Black Media Initiative Director for the Center for Community Media at the Newmark J-School, Cheryl Thompson-Morton works to support Black media outlets through training, research, convenings, and connecting them to financial resources.

Rahman Johnson

Professor of Journalism and Communications, Edward Waters University; National Anchor, iHeartMedia

Rahman Johnson serves as a Professor of Journalism and Communications at Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida, where he was named Professor of the Year. Most recently, Rahman published the poetry collection Living, Loving, Letting Go, which was honored as Book of the Year by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association.

Dr. Frances Draper

CEO, Afro-American Newspapers

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper is the CEO of the AFRO American Newspapers, founded by her great-grandfather in 1892. Draper earned a B.A. in Spanish education from Morgan State University, holds master’s degrees in education, business administration and pastoral counseling, and a doctorate degree in ministry. A community leader, she is focused on giving back and continuously learning.

The session will be moderated by Traci Cloyd, South Florida PBS.

Traci is both a “personality” and a journalist. She is known for her approach to news, unique “voice,” attention to accuracy, grammar and her and ability to tell a good story. The Miami Herald describes her as “a smart, pretty, high-energy news writer and anchor.” The Miami New Times says, “she’s a very stunning and totally hilarious radio personality.”

Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Investor relations, public relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX Network. Business Wire has 18 newsrooms worldwide to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media.

Black PR Wire delivers its clients’ press releases, video and audio news releases and newsletters to key reporters, writers and influential grassroots, social and civic community leaders throughout the country. Black PR Wire also provides specialized services, including direct media calls and product placement pitching, as well as audio, video and e-newsletter development and distribution. The company’s service center has compiled and owns a comprehensive and continuously updated database of Black media and organizations throughout the country and the Caribbean, and has direct contacts with hundreds of Black and minority media outlets, community, social and civic groups and affiliates nationwide. The company’s database holds a comprehensive listing of over 1,200 Black-owned publications and media and includes a comprehensive listing of key Black journalists throughout the United States and the Caribbean.

Black PR Wire delivers to the very core and pulse of the Black community. It is dedicated to providing service that is second to none with its state-of-the-art wire transmission process and technology, its experienced media planners and its commitment to quality, substance and style that guides every component of its client service philosophy.

The Webinar is free and open to the public. For more information on Black PR Wire and to register for “The State of the Black Media” Webinar, visit https://services.businesswire.com/resources-education/state-of-black-media-2023 or call 877-BLACKPR.

*Why Black Media Matters Now, Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York

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(Black PR Wire) NEW YORK – The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) reveals plans to celebrate Black History Month with a series of weekly performances from rising ASCAP R&B artists and songwriters J Rome, Moxie Knox, Sha’Leah Nikole and Kadeem Nichols. Each week, the featured artist will cover one of history’s most powerful Black empowerment songs that was written or co-written by ASCAP members. The series kicks off Tuesday, February 7, with weekly performances through Tuesday, February 28. The performances can be viewed on ASCAP’s YouTube and @ASCAP and @ASCAPUrban Instagram.

“ASCAP is committed to recognizing Black artists and songwriters who have made an impact on our history and the world through their music and meaningful lyrics,” said Nicole George-Middleton, ASCAP Senior Vice President, Membership and Executive Director, The ASCAP Foundation. “This year, our goal is to spotlight emerging ASCAP artists by giving them a platform to showcase their talent, while also paying homage to the pioneers who created songs to uplift, inspire and empower all in celebration of Black History Month.”

See below the lineup for ASCAP’s Black History Month performances:

Tuesday, February 7

J Rome – “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

The music series begins Tuesday, February 7 with J Rome and a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” Often referred to as the Black national anthem, the song was co-written by one of ASCAP’s founding members, James Weldon Johnson, along with his brother, J. Rosamond Johnson. J Rome is the winner of ABC’s singing competition “Duets” and also appeared on FOX’s “I Can See Your Voice.” The talented singer has performed alongside other artists and toured the world with Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Kanye West. Now working on his solo project, J Rome is an undeniable talent who has only just scratched the surface in his career.

Tuesday, February 14

Moxie Knox – “Brown Skin”

On Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, NYC-born Moxie Knox will deliver her take on Grammy Award-winning singer India.Arie’s song “Brown Skin,” an ode that celebrates melanated skin. Moxie Knox began her journey in entertainment as a dancer at the tender age of five, when she developed a passion for poetry and songwriting. This passion led her to begin studying song structure and interpreting lyrics. In 2019, her loyal fans put her on Sprite’s radar, resulting in two of her singles being selected out of 20,000 artist submissions for a spot on the SpriteWay Spotify playlists and her selection as the leading official SpriteWay Artist. She continues to inspire and work hard every day, collaborating with top names in the industry and personifying the tenacity of a true entertainer.

Tuesday, February 21

Sha’Leah Nikole – “Strange Fruit”

On week 3 of the series, South Central native Sha’Leah Nikole will deliver an inspirational take on Billie Holiday’s powerful “Strange Fruit,” which was written by Abel Meeropol and protested the lynching of Black Americans. Sha’Leah has fully embraced her passion for the arts and is generating buzz within the West Coast music scene. She has shared the stage and provided vocals on tracks with musical titans Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder and Elton John, among others. Most recently, the multidisciplinary artist took on the role of young Mahalia in the recently released film “Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story” on Hulu, starring Ledisi. Sha’Leah continues to use her voice to uplift, empower and inspire others.

Tuesday, February 28

Kadeem Nichols – “Someday We’ll All Be Free”

The series will conclude on Tuesday, February 28, with LA-based vocalist Kadeem Nichols performing a rendition of “Someday We’ll All Be Free,” originally performed and co-written by the legendary Donny Hathaway, along with Edward Howard. A songwriter, musician and producer born in Queens, New York, Kadeem began his journey playing multiple instruments at a very young age. His talent afforded him the opportunity to work with artists such as Kanye West, Davido and Hezekiah Walker, in addition to various organizations and companies. He has also appeared on television and talk shows including “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” “The Late Late Show with James Corden” and “The Neighborhood.” His most recent recording project, “The Muse,” is currently available on all digital streaming platforms.

Stay tuned to @ASCAP and @ASCAPUrban’s social media for details or visit https://www.ascap.com/bhm2023 for more information.

About ASCAP
The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a professional membership organization of songwriters, composers and music publishers of every kind of music. ASCAP’s mission is to license and promote the music of its members and foreign affiliates, obtain fair compensation for the public performance of their works and to distribute the royalties that it collects based upon those performances. ASCAP members write the world’s best-loved music and ASCAP has pioneered the efficient licensing of that music to hundreds of thousands of enterprises who use it to add value to their business – from bars, restaurants and retail, to radio, TV and cable, to Internet, mobile services and more. The ASCAP license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. With more than 875,000 members representing more than 17 million copyrighted works, ASCAP is the worldwide leader in performance royalties, service and advocacy for songwriters and composers, and the only American performing rights organization (PRO) owned and governed by its writer and publisher members. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

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(Black PR Wire) BALTIMORE, MD — Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the birth of hip hop, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) will open a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the conceptual, cultural, and aesthetic attributes that have made hip hop a global phenomenon and established it as the artistic canon of our time. Opening on April 5, 2023, The Culture: Hip Hop and Contemporary Art in the 21st Century features more than 90 works of art by some of today’s most important and celebrated artists, including Derrick Adams, Mark Bradford, Lauren Halsey, Julie Mehretu, Adam Pendleton, Tschabalala Self, Hank Willis Thomas, and Carrie Mae Weems, as well as several with ties to Baltimore and St. Louis such as Devin Allen, Monica Ikegwu, Amani Lewis, Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola, Damon Davis and Jen Everett. Their work is presented in dynamic dialogue with fashion and objects created and made famous by Lil’ Kim, Dapper Dan and Gucci, and Virgil Abloh for Louis Vuitton, along with iconic brands like Cross Colours and TELFAR. Together, the works in The Culture weave a compelling narrative about art and culture that is rarely experienced in a museum context—and one that highlights a broad array of conceptual and material innovation. The exhibition will have significant personal and communal resonance for those steeped in hip-hop culture, while providing a crash course into the explosive impact of the genre over the past two decades for those less versed.

The Culture is a ticketed exhibition co-organized by the BMA and the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM) and will be on view at the BMA from April 5 to July 16, 2023, and at SLAM from August 25, 2023, to January 1, 2024. It is co-curated by Asma Naeem, the BMA’s Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Chief Curator and Interim Co-Director; Gamynne Guillotte, the BMA’s Chief Education Officer; Hannah Klemm, SLAM’s Associate Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art; and Andréa Purnell, SLAM’s Audience Development Manager. The Culture is accompanied by an expansive catalog with contributions from more than 50 artists, writers, scholars, curators, and arts leaders. The exhibition and book are further supported by an extensive network of advisors, including community members, artists, and scholars in the study of hip hop.

“Hip hop’s influence is so significant that it has become the new canon—an alternate set of ideals of artistic beauty and excellence centered the Afro-Latinx identities and histories—and one that rivals the Western art historical canon around which many museums orient and develop exhibitions,” said Naeem. “Many of the most compelling visual artists working today are directly engaging with central tenets of this canon in their practices, in both imperceivable and manifest ways. Whether through the poetics of the street, the blurring of high and low, the reclamation of the gaze, the homage to hip-hop geniuses, or the experimental collaborations across such vastly disparate fields as painting, performance, fashion, architecture, and computer programming, the visual culture of hip hop along with its subversive tactics and its tackling of social justice surface everywhere in the art of today.”

Hip hop first emerged as music from Black, Latinx, and Afro-Latinx Americans living in the Bronx in the 1970s. It quickly proliferated through large-scale block parties to encompass an entire culture that includes the four pillars of MCing or rapping, DJing, breakdancing and graffiti writing and arts. From its inception, hip hop critiqued dominant structures and cultural narratives and offered new avenues for expressing diasporic experiences and creating alternate systems of power, leading to a fifth pillar of social and political consciousness and knowledge-building. Over the past two decades, in particular, technology, social media, and capitalist interests have enabled hip hop to grow in complexity and reach, taking on new regional styles across the United States and around the world.

The Culture explores this pivotal and fertile era through a wide range of painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, video, and installations organized in six themes—Language, Brand, Adornment, Tribute, Ascension, and Pose. The exhibition experience begins as visitors encounter a pulsing soundscape created by Baltimore-based musicians Abdu Ali and Wendel Patrick, plus several artworks placed outside of the gallery, including a large-scale tribute to Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.

Visual Art Highlights

Gajin Fujita, Ride or Die. (2005)—Fujita’s monumental painting depicts a Japanese samurai, surrounded by graffiti tags, riding into battle on horseback with an L.A. Dodgers logo emblazoned on his otherwise traditional helmet, merging Eastern and Western motifs to dynamic effect.

Carrie Mae Weems, (2017)—In this photograph commissioned for W Magazine’s 2017 art issue, Weems adorns musician Mary J. Blige with a crown, honoring her as the “Queen of Hip Hop Soul” and positioning her within an illustrious lineage of Black icons. The work also beautifully captures the confluence of popular media, fine art, and music.

Jordan Casteel, Fendi (2018)—This large-scale painting captures an unidentified figure riding the subway, holding bags conspicuously branded with Fendi logos in their lap. The painting suggests the rider’s affiliation with the luxury brands, while also strikingly at odds with reality.

Lauren Halsey. auntie fawn on tha 6. (2021)—Made popular throughout the 21st century by such musicians as Lil’ Kim, Nicki Minaj, and Doja Cat, candy-colored synthetic hair has become a powerful adornment within Black communities. Halsey’s rainbow-hued work elevates and appreciates it as an artform.

Derrick Adams, Heir to the Throne. (2021)—This non-fungible token (NFT) is inspired by the cover of Jay-Z’s 1996 debut studio album, Reasonable Doubt. This tribute nods to the future of art, as well as the second generation of hip hop leaders.

Caitlin Cherry, Bruja Cybernetica. (2022)—In this work, Black female performers and femme avatars pose amidst a masterful bricolage of patterns encompassing moiré, prismatic flares, radiating waves, and a refractive shattering of the picture plane.

Stan Douglas, (2022)—Douglas’ powerful two-channel video is a fictitious cross-cultural collaboration between U.K. grime rappers Lady Sanity and TrueMendous and Mahraganat artists Raptor and Youssef Joker, who mix hip hop, techno, and Egyptian folk music. It is presented in the BMA’s contemporary wing as an extension of the exhibition. Major video works by Arthur Jafa and Kahlil Joseph are also shown in black box screening areas within the exhibition galleries.

Fashion & Material Culture

Among the fashion highlights are seven tracksuits, including a leather Adidas Superstar track jacket created by Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell Williams in collaboration with Adidas; a suit by the Nigerian streetwear brand WAFFLESNCREAM, with fabric created by the Yoruba people; and an example from the Black Track collection released this year by luxury brand TELFAR. Additional fashion examples include looks from Virgil Abloh’s collections for Louis Vuitton, legendary streetwear brand Cross Colours, and Dapper Dan and Gucci, among others. Highlights of historic ephemera include a copy of the Jean-Michel Basquiat/Rammellzee Beat Bop / Test Pressing (1983) album, a Vivienne Westwood Buffalo hat (1984) made famous by Pharrell Williams at the 2014 Grammy awards, and several of Lil’ Kim’s iconic wigs recreated by the original hair stylist Dionne Alexander.

Community

To further illuminate hip hop’s influence, the exhibition incorporates artists with deep ties to Baltimore and St. Louis—both cities with deeply engaged communities of visual artists and musicians. Baltimore artists include Devin Allen, Larry W. Cook, NIA JUNE with APoetNamedNate and Kirby Griffin, Monica Ikegwu, Amani Lewis, Megan Lewis, Charles Mason III, Murjoni Merriweather, and Ernest Shaw Jr. Additionally, Baltimore-born, Los Angeles-based artist Shinique Smith will create a commissioned mural that will be located downtown near Lexington Market.  St. Louis and Missouri artists include Anthony Olubunmi Akinbola, Damon Davis, Jen Everett, Aaron Fowler, Kahlil Robert Irving, Yvonne Osei, and Adrian Octavius Walker. The final gallery of the exhibition features an interactive installation that invites the public to share their hip hop experiences to create a living public archive that recognizes hip hop’s community-centered roots.

Catalog

The Culture is accompanied by a 308-page comprehensive catalog that delves into conversation around self-presentation and adornment, language, technology, and the global presence in hip hop. Contributors include author and scholar Todd Boyd (Notorious Ph.D.); multimedia producer and performer TT the Artist, poet Danez Smith, stylist Misa Hylton, choreographer Sean Bankhead, deaf hip hop dancer Shaheem Sanchez, Canadian rapper from the Muskoday First Nation Eekwol Lindsay Knight, Muslim poet/rap activist Mona Haydar, and visual artists Devin Allen, Jacolby Satterwhite, and Murjoni Merriweather. The catalog also includes a transcript of a roundtable of national and international curators who have mounted exhibitions about hip hop in the last two decades: Franklin Sirmans and Lydia Yee, Valerie Cassel Oliver, René De Guzman, Martha Diaz, Carol Tulloch, and Aurélie Clemente-Ruiz.

Tickets

Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, $12 for groups of 7 or more, $5 for students with ID, and $5 for youth ages 7-18. BMA Members, children ages 6 and under, and student groups are admitted free.

Tour

Baltimore Museum of Art, April 5-July 16, 2023; Saint Louis Art Museum, August 25, 2023-January 1, 2024; Cincinnati Art Museum, June 28-September 29, 2024; Art Gallery of Ontario, November 23, 2024- March 23, 2025

Sponsors

This exhibition is generously supported by the Henry Luce Foundation, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional support is provided by The Alvin and Fanny B. Thalheimer Exhibition Endowment Fund.

About the Baltimore Museum of Art

Founded in 1914, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) inspires people of all ages and backgrounds through exhibitions, programs, and collections that tell an expansive story of art—challenging long-held narratives and embracing new voices. Our outstanding collection of more than 97,000 objects spans many eras and cultures and includes the world’s largest public holding of works by Henri Matisse; one of the nation’s finest collections of prints, drawings, and photographs; and a rapidly growing number of works by contemporary artists of diverse backgrounds. The museum is also distinguished by a neoclassical building designed by American architect John Russell Pope and two beautifully landscaped gardens featuring an array of modern and contemporary sculpture. The BMA is located three miles north of the Inner Harbor, adjacent to the main campus of Johns Hopkins University, and has a community branch at Lexington Market. General admission is free so that everyone can enjoy the power of art.

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) LOS ANGELES, CA – Malick L. Manga and Bill Haley Jr., Alex Haley’s grandson, will be visiting The Gambia to celebrate and acknowledge the awarding winning book, “Roots.” The seven milestone anniversaries surrounding the book and its ongoing cultural phenomenon is being revisited through a series of initiatives. Important among the milestones is a technological transfer initiative in partnership with Affordable Human Needs (AHN) and Frontida Records as promotion to build on the continued bond between Africa to America. Malick L. Manga and Bill Haley Jr., will be arriving in The Gambia on January 9, 2023, in celebration of their joint legacies to kickstart the new year.

The year 2022 marked seven milestone anniversaries surrounding the award-winning book, “ROOTS,” which was written by world famous author Alex Haley. The massive trajectory of “Roots” was fostered by Haley’s chance meeting with Ebou Manga, a Gambian student at New York’s historic Hamilton College who was a major key to unlocking Alex Haley’s family lineage in West Africa. Manga later became Haley’s Chief Gambian Technical advisor for the novel and subsequent miniseries franchise, all of which led to a titanic shift of cultural identity by African-Americans, and of the ties between Africans, African-Americans, and the African Diaspora.

“The Technology Transfer initiatives are a generational gift to the people of The Gambia; an affirmation of our ‘Roots’ legacy; and the seven milestone anniversaries, which include the 55th Anniversary of my grandfather and Ebou Manga’s inaugural visit to The Gambia,” said Bill Haley, Jr. “And, it is the story of my [ancestor] Kunta Kinteh.” 

Malick L. Manga reiterated, “These initiatives are a reflection of the deep yearning we have in connecting to our Roots, a celebration of our joint legacies but they are also an answered call for those of us in The Diaspora to help with the development of our ancestral homeland.”

The Technology Transfer Initiatives to be discussed will be focused on Sustainable Housing, Education, Healthcare, Agriculture and Cultural Tourism; all which are critical sectors concerning the overall development for The Gambia.

Manga and Haley plan on unleashing a series of initiatives to the global public square which celebrates and informs a new generation of their Roots Legacy and the importance of the African diaspora.

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The post PRESS ROOM: Malick L. Manga and Bill Haley, Jr., Alex Haley’s grandson, will be visiting the Gambia to celebrate and acknowledge the award-winning book, “Roots.” The seven milestone anniversaries surrounding the book and its ongoing cultural phenomenon is being revisited through a series of initiatives. appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.

By BlackPR Wire

(Black PR Wire) WASHINGTON – Howard University welcomed members of Congress recently to engage with students about the C.R.O.W.N. Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair). The act is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination, which is the denial of employment and educational opportunities because of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, dreadlocks, twists, or bantu knots. The panel was moderated by Howard University students Morgan Rameau and Shaletta Norwood.

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey began the program with a dedication to the women in Congress and activists who have championed this act. Their efforts have led to 18 states already passing the CROWN Act. “For Black people, hair is rooted in the stories of our resistance. It is rooted in the beauty of our past. It is rooted in the defiance of a culture that demands its firm status in the beauty of America,” said Booker.

Members of the Congressional Black Congress, Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, Barbara Lee, Gwen Moore, Ilhan Omar, Cori Bush, Ayanna Pressley, and actress Michelle Hurd participated in a panel discussion where they revealed their own experiences with hair-based discrimination.

All of the women at the table testified to the importance that their hair and hairstyles have played in their lives, especially as it relates to their self-confidence and authentic self-expression. They echoed the idea that, as Black women, exploring the versatility of their natural hair and finding their preferred hairstyles contributed to their finding themselves. The experience of being told that their natural hair was unprofessional and, in some cases, preventing them from advancing in their careers reinforces their commitment to passing the CROWN Act. “You should be able to show up as you are without being worried about punitive measures,” said Lee.

The panel ended the discussion by emphasizing the importance of voting during every election cycle and holding your elected officials accountable to what the voters who put them in their positions. Pressley said, “A vote is not a valentine, you are not confessing your love for a candidate; it is a chess move for the world we want to live in. We do not elect saviors; we elect partners and partnership is about accountability.”

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(Black PR Wire) –  Recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s U.S.-Africa Business Center announced the top 3 finalists in the 2022 Africa Digital Innovation Competition. The annual competition, held in partnership with the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF) and American Chambers of Commerce across Africa, rewards African innovators, entrepreneurs, and startups for developing solutions through digital products and services that have a positive impact on African citizens.  The announcement of the 3 finalists— Imodoye Abioro, CEO and co-founder of Healthbotics; Ore Alemede, cofounder of GrowAgric; and Frank Nana Addae, cofounder of Shopa—was made by Scott Eisner, president of the U.S.-Africa Business Center, and Travis Adkins, president, U.S. Africa Development Foundation, during a live interview on Voice of America (VOA).  

“There’s a clear link between digital and economic growth, and Africa is on the cusp of being home to the world’s next mass generation of digital consumers and talent,” said Eisner. “The U.S. Chamber is proud to empower the African innovators and entrepreneurs whose digital initiatives are making a difference across the continent, such as—in the case of our 3 finalists—increasing access to life-saving medicines and quality healthcare, assisting farmers with low-cost investments for high-impact results, and connecting informal retailers in underprivileged communities to suppliers. We commend our top 3 finalists, true changemakers who are lifting others as they climb. We also thank our generous Competition sponsors and partners: Prosper Africa, Voice of America (VOA), Cybastion, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services, Trimble, American Tower Corporation (ATC), Vista Bank, Standard Bank, and the Kosmos Innovation Center.” 

“Africa is a place where innovation begins,” said Travis Adkins, president and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation.  “USADF’s mission is to create pathways to prosperity across Africa through a community-led development approach and African network of local partners to support African-designed and African-delivered solutions. We’re glad the U.S. Chamber recognizes that true digital transformation in Africa must lead with homegrown solutions, and we join the U.S. Chamber in congratulating our top 3 finalists today.” 

The top 3 finalists will travel to Washington, D.C., in December to be honored at an event on the sidelines of the U.S. Africa Business Summit. For more in-depth information on our top 3 and other finalists, visit here to watch their video testimonials. Learn more about our judges here, who lent expertise and insights to a selection process accredited by KPMG, to help select our finalists from the over 1,700 entrepreneurs who applied from nearly 50 countries across the continent.    

Meet the Top 3 Finalists:  

–Healthbotics Limited (Nigeria)  

–GrowAgric Limited (Kenya)  

–Shopa (Ghana) 

Follow us via our social media handles on Instagram/Twitter at @USChamberAfrica and LinkedIn @ U.S.-Africa Business Center. 

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(Black PR Wire) – September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. During this observance, people living with sickle cell disease, as well as their caregivers, advocates and healthcare professionals, come together to bring awareness to the disease and eliminate any myths or stigma associated with it.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited red blood cell disorders in which the red blood cells, typically disc-shaped and flexible, are instead crescent or “sickle,” shaped. The cells do not bend or move easily and can block blood flow throughout the body. This can lead to serious conditions such as stroke and infections, as well as eye problems and episodes of severe pain.

Did you know that sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SCD affects 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United States. SCD is most common among African Americans, although other groups like Latinos, Asians, Middle Eastern people, and Mediterranean people are affected too.

This disease is often discovered at birth when the newborn gets a routine screening checked at the hospital. People living with SCD can live a normal life, and their treatment options will depend on their symptoms. To date, the only known cure for SCD is a bone marrow or stem cell transplant, a very risky procedure that can have serious side effects.

If you would like to learn more about Sickle Cell Disease, visit the CDC webpage at https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell.

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The National Black Justice Coalition Honors Black Elders With James Baldwin Legacy Awards.

(Black PR Wire) – On Sunday, August 21, 2022, National Senior Citizens Day, at 3 p.m. ET, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) hosted the 2nd annual James Baldwin Legacy Awards to honor the invaluable contributions of Black men and masculine elders within the Black LGBTQ+/same gender loving (SGL) movement and community. 

The awards show is an opportunity to honor iconic Black GBTQ+/SGL men and masculine elders and celebrate aging. The 2022 honorees have blazed trails across many fields and careers and include (in alphabetical order):

• Elder Bishop Kwabena “Rainey” Cheeks, the co-founder of Us Helping Us, People into Living, coordinator of the historic DC Clubhouse community events, and a faith leader at Inner Light Ministries.
• Eugene Cornelius, the senior advisor to the Office of International Trade at the U.S. Small Business Administration and Designer of the International Council of Small Business at George Washington University.
• Earl Fowlkes, the founder, president, and chief executive officer of the Center for Black Equity, Chair of the Democratic LGBTQ+ Caucus
• Rev. Cedric Harmon, the co-director of Many Voices: A Black Church Movement for LGBTQ Justice.
• Curtis Lipscomb, the Executive Director of LGBT Detroit.
• Dr. Cleo Manago, coined the term “same-gender loving,” founder and CEO of AmASSI Health and Cultural Centers and Black Men’s Xchange.
• Dr. Eugene McCray, one of the earliest Black gay HIV/AIDS researchers at the CDC and former director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention.

The event is sponsored by AARP.

“The double marginalization of Black, GBTQ+/SGL men cannot be understated. Our histories and contributions are often erased and taken for granted even when we live on the front lines of efforts to ensure that all of us can get free,” said Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “It is in this spirit that NBJC hosts this annual event to honor the Black GBTQ+/SGL men who have paved the way for us all to live lives that are healthier, happier, and filled with more opportunities than were afforded to them. We hope this event pays homage to the invaluable contributions of James Baldwin and all of our brothers who have paved the way for LGBTQ+/SGL people to simply be.”

The National Black Justice Coalition advocates for policies that:

1. Protects Black LGBTQ+ seniors and their dignity as they age in families, elder care facilities, senior living communities, and more
2. Works to decriminalize and remove the stigma and barriers associated with being Black and LGBTQ+/SGL in legislation featured in its Policy Agenda.

WATCH THE JAMES BALDWIN LEGACY AWARDS HERE.

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(Black PR Wire) – Oscar award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o surprised 40 NAACP youth members on stage at the NAACP 113th Convention, awarding each student a $10,000 scholarship. The students received the scholarships during the ACT-SO award ceremony in Atlantic City, N.J., as part of the NAACP’s convention.

ACT-SO is a year-long program targeted at high school students across that country that promotes their growth in disciplines ranging from visual arts and business to performing and culinary arts and provides scholarship opportunities.  

Through the NAACP’s partnership with Lancôme, the Write Her Future Scholarship Fund focuses on empowering women through literacy and education, as well as mentoring and entrepreneurship opportunities. 

“Since I was a child, I have always had big dreams, and my education has played a huge part in helping me realize them,” said Lancôme Ambassadress and Actress, Lupita Nyong’o. “I’ve always loved learning and I believe that learners change the world. I am so thrilled to join Lancôme, on behalf of their Write Her Future Scholarship Fund, to award this incredible group of women with these game-changing scholarships.”

“We’re excited to once again provide talented young women across the country the opportunity to further develop their creativity and achieve their academic dreams with purpose and unrestricted passion,” said President & CEO Derrick Johnson. “Young people are the future. We’re excited to see how participants in the program will positively impact their communities and create change for themselves and the next generation.”

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – A searing report released recently by the Black Coalition Against COVID details the immense toll the Covid-19 pandemic has taken — and continues to take — on Black communities, and calls for continued vigilance and action to prevent further losses even as the rest of the nation is eager to move on.

The report’s authors — physicians and public health and policy experts — note with alarm that even as case rates began to fall sharply across the country earlier this year, the Covid-19 hospitalization rate for Black people was higher than it had been at any time during the pandemic for any racial or ethnic group. For the week ending Jan. 8, 2022, the hospitalization rate for Black Americans was 64 per 100,000 — more than twice the overall rate. Rates for all Americans have since fallen, though they remain much higher for Black people.

“What we see in this report is startling,” said Marcella Nunez-Smith, an associate dean and professor of internal medicine, public health, and management at Yale University who chaired President Biden’s Covid-19 Health Equity Task Force. “The juxtaposition — that for some, the pandemic is over, yet the hospitalization rate for Black people is higher than it’s ever been — is stark.”

The report details the massive disparities — including not just higher overall case and death rates but also economic harms — experienced by Black Americans. These include: 

-Older Black Americans (from 65-74) were five times more likely to die than White Americans.

-Between April 2020 and June 2021, 1 in 310 Black children lost a parent or caregiver compared to 1 in 738 White children.

-Learning time lost by students who were Black or in other racial or ethnic groups was estimated to be one year, compared to four to eight months for White students.

-Black Americans were twice as likely as White Americans to experience food insecurity.

-Black Americans are more likely to experience pandemic-related anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders compared with White Americans.

The report states clearly that these worse outcomes were not due to any biological factors or genetic predisposition, but were a “predictable result of structural and social realities” such as Black Americans being overrepresented in essential-worker jobs, including practical and vocational nursing; being more likely to live in densely populated urban areas; and having preexisting medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes due to differential access to health care.

In addition, the report says, many Black Americans faced barriers to testing and vaccination in the beginning of the pandemic, and also faced discrimination when seeking Covid-19 care. “The harsh realities of Covid-19 were superimposed upon generational systems of disadvantage,” said the report.

“We focus as a country, and we should, on the obvious indicators of hospitalization and death. What this report makes clear is why there was such a disproportionate impact in the Black community,” Reed Tuckson, a former commissioner of public health in Washington, D.C., who is now a co-founder of the Black Coalition Against COVID, told STAT. “The predicates that caused these disparities have long been present in the lives of Black folk. These are cycles that we have to break.”

Of concern to Tuckson and others are disparities related to the pandemic that continue. These include the high hospitalization rate for Black Americans, low uptake of Covid vaccine boosters, and the lack of inclusion of Black Americans in clinical trials of treatments, and in patient registries for long Covid. There is also fear that Black people will relax the precautions they have been taking against Covid despite the risks they still face.

“We have to be careful that the African American community does not let their guard down. We are still quite vulnerable,” said Daniel E. Dawes, a health policy expert and executive director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, which along with the Black Coalition Against COVID and the Equity Research and Innovation Center at the Yale School of Medicine commissioned the new report. ”I get very nervous when people say, ‘I’m tired. I want a return to normalcy.’ The upticks in hospitalizations, cases, and deaths — that scares me.”

The report shows that disparities can be erased with targeted action. The Black Coalition Against COVID was among groups led by Black physicians and political and church leaders that worked to limit disparities in Covid-19 vaccination rates through education and access efforts. In May 2021, vaccination rates for first and second doses were 10% and 12% lower than those for White Americans; by January 2022, that gap had been largely erased. Such targeted action inludes:

-Collecting rigorous data about Covid from all racial and ethnic groups.

-Increasing vaccine booster uptake among Black and Hispanic populations, which currently have the lowest booster rates, and encouraging the vaccination of Black children, who also may have lower vaccination rates than White children.

-Ensuring good access to Covid testing and new therapies.

Tuckson said much of this work can and will be done by the Black community itself, but will require far more funding than has been so far made available by the federal government and other sources. “We are going to roll up our sleeves, but we need funding and resources that have been painfully inadequate and hard to come by,” he said.

Even as the report authors warn that the pandemic is far from over for Black Americans, they say that once it does end, the work on ending the health care disparities highlighted so clearly by the pandemic must continue.

“We cannot unlearn the lessons we have learned these past two years,” said Nunez-Smith. “I have a visceral reaction every time someone says we have to get back to normal because normal is what got us here. We need to get back to a new normal.”

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(Black PR Wire) – [April 1] marks the start of National Minority Health Month 2022, a chance for us to spotlight the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations and to encourage action through health education, early detection, and control of disease complications.

The theme for this year’s National Minority Health Month is “Give Your Community a Boost!” This theme focuses on the continued importance of vaccines and boosters as one of the strongest tools we can use to protect communities from COVID-19, which has disproportionately affected racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations. During this year’s observance, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will promote the current CDC recommendations for community efforts to prevent COVID-19 infections and the U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendations on combating COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation at the individual, community, and organizational levels. The “Give Your Community a Boost!” theme also supports the many other efforts happening in communities throughout the country to advance health equity.

You can play an important role in reducing health disparities related to COVID-19 and improving the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities. This April and beyond, I invite everyone – individuals, community-based organizations, federal, state, and local governments as well as other public and private entities – to encourage every person who has not received the recommended COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to seek out accurate information to support an informed decision on getting vaccinated and boosted. While vaccinated people can get COVID-19, we know that vaccines and boosters are safe and effective in reducing severe COVID illness, hospitalizations, and death. And that is important for each and every community across the U.S and around the world.

I encourage you to visit the OMH website throughout the month to find ways you can help boost your community and to see how others are doing the same. On the OMH website, you can:

Download National Minority Health Month graphics and sample messages that you can edit and use on your social media platforms.

Find resources on COVID-19 and other health topics to share with your organizations, communities, and networks.

Review OMH’s events calendar to find a National Minority Health Month webinar or other virtual event focused on the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

To amplify our collective impact, be sure to tag @MinorityHealth and use the following hashtags when sharing your National Minority Health Month activities and messages on social media: #BoostYourCommunity, #MinorityHealth, #NMHM2022, and #NMHM22.

I look forward to seeing and hearing what you are doing during National Minority Health Month 2022 to Give Your Community a Boost!

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – In July 1893, James Cornish was admitted to Chicago’s Provident Hospital with a knife wound to his chest, stemming from a barroom brawl. He needed surgery, but medical professionals at the time believed operating on the heart was too dangerous.

That was about to change. Without antibiotics, adequate anesthesia or many of the tools used in modern-day heart surgery, Dr. Daniel Hale Williams cut a small hole into Cornish’s chest using a scalpel. He then repaired a severed artery and a tear in the sac surrounding the heart. Cornish lived another 20 years, and Williams became known as one of the first doctors in the world to perform a successful open-heart surgery.

His role in eliminating health disparities

The achievement wasn’t Williams’ only pioneering move. Just two years earlier, he founded Provident Hospital and Training School for Nurses, the nation’s first Black-owned and operated hospital in America, treating both Black and White patients. It gave Black doctors and nurses an opportunity to practice medicine at a time when most medical and training facilities excluded them because of their race.

He also was the first Black man appointed to the Illinois State Board of Health and was a charter member of the National Medical Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization representing Black physicians. At a time when Black people were denied admission to White hospitals or relegated to all-Black wards with substandard care, the NMA made it a priority to eliminate health disparities and ensure access to professional medical care for all.

“He obviously was an inspiration for many physicians and a trailblazer,” says Dr. Ivor Benjamin, director of the Cardiovascular Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a past president of the American Heart Association. “We are really standing on the shoulders of giants. He is a giant not just for his own people, but for the entire medical profession.”

For a Black man in America to even have a medical degree in the 19th century was an accomplishment.

Dr. James McCune, who in 1837 became the first Black man in the U.S. to earn a medical degree, got his medical education in Scotland because American medical schools did not admit Black people. Ten years later, Dr. David Jones Peck became the first Black man to earn a medical degree from a U.S. institution, graduating from Rush Medical College in Chicago. Howard University created its own medical school to train Black doctors in 1868, but their opportunities to practice medicine remained rare.

Williams, a former shoemaker’s apprentice and barber, earned his medical degree in 1883 from Chicago Medical School, affiliated with Northwestern University. He was one of just three practicing Black doctors in Chicago at the time.

“I think that ultimately, Dr. Williams’ success and his recognition came not out of his race, but his accomplishments,” says Dr. Claudia Fegan, chief medical officer for the Cook County Health system, which includes Provident Hospital. Though it closed for a time in the 1980s, Provident still serves the same mission Williams established at the time of its creation in the late 19th century, she says.

His legacy and impact on the medical field open heart surgery

“Part of his legacy is that he wanted there to be a safe place where people could receive quality care and people could be trained to provide that care,” Fegan adds. “Provident Hospital was opened to treat people of all races. It took care of people who had no place else to go, and that’s part of the mission of Cook County. We are committed to that mission, to providing the highest quality of care without having to do a wallet biopsy to see what you can afford.”

Williams’ legacy as a mentor and trainer of physicians had a ripple effect, creating greater opportunities for aspiring Black medical professionals and helping improve the quality of care and reduce death rates for Black patients.

“The people he trained went on to provide a pivotal role in hospitals around the country,” Fegan shares.

Williams mentored physicians during his tenure as surgeon in chief at Freedmen’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he established a model internship program for graduate physicians. In 1900, he became a visiting professor of surgery at one of the nation’s few Black medical schools, Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He often spoke about the need for Black physicians to become leaders in their communities and to start hospitals that would provide better care for Black people.

Benjamin says the example Williams set was much like that of his own great-uncle, a Guyanese man who earned his medical degree in Scotland and performed the first blood transfusion in West Africa. He served as an inspiration to Benjamin and others in his family, many of whom have entered the medical profession.

“In my own life, I was not lacking for pioneers,” says Benjamin, who came to the U.S. after finishing high school in Guyana and was mentored by other leading figures in medicine who shared the challenges of an immigrant heritage. “I understand the value and importance of having these key individuals who, in spite of the odds, were able to be not just successful but first – and oftentimes best – in class.”

But as inspiring as people like Williams have been, the number of Black men and women in medicine remains disproportionately small, Benjamin notes—something he hopes will change in the years ahead.

“When I matriculated at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1978, the number of African American males applying was 1,400,” he says. “Fast forward, by the time I became president of AHA, that number had not risen, even though more African American men were graduating from college. We need to be able to promote these heroes” so more Black men and women can see themselves as medical school material and beyond.

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(PRNewswire) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released its Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. Each year, the report provides the critical benchmark on the number of people known to be experiencing homelessness on a single night. This year’s report—which looks back at 2021—indicates that funding provided through the CARES Act for emergency rental assistance and other homelessness prevention, as well as nationwide eviction moratoria, helped keep more people—in particular families—out of shelters. However, nearly half of all communities were given waivers to the requirement that they conduct an unsheltered count, because doing so posed a high risk of exacerbating COVID-19 transmissions. Abt Associates’ analysis includes an examination of unsheltered people from the small number of communities that did conduct a count, though it is not representative of the entire country.

Data by Populations

Overall: On a single night in 2021, more than 326,000 people were experiencing sheltered homelessness in the United States. This number is an 8 percent decrease from 2020. The number of sheltered people in families with children declined considerably between 2020 and 2021, while the number of sheltered individuals remained relatively flat. In 2021, just over 131,000 families with children were experiencing sheltered homelessness, a decline of 15 percent since 2020. This was a much larger change than in the number of sheltered individuals, which dropped by only 2 percent, to 236,500 people in 2021. The declines are likely due to a combination of several factors, and the trends in sheltered homelessness should be viewed with some caution. Due to COVID, shelter programs often reduced their capacity or closed altogether if they were unable to provide the necessary physical distance for people staying there. In addition, communities noted that people expressed a hesitancy about seeking out shelter services during this time, again, due to COVID. However, information provided by communities revealed that a critical factor in reducing the sheltered count was likely the eviction moratoria and CARES Act and other funding that helped to prevent people from becoming homeless during the pandemic.

By Race/Ethnicity: Between 2020 and 2021, the number of people experiencing sheltered homelessness who were White decreased by 5 percent, and—while still disproportionately represented at 44 percent of the sheltered population—the number of Black or African American people staying in shelters decreased by 12 percent. The number of Hispanic or Latino/a/x people experiencing sheltered homelessness decreased by 5 percent, while the number of non-Hispanic/non-Latino/a/x people declined by 9 percent.

Veterans: Between 2020 and 2021, the number of sheltered veterans decreased by 10 percent. This represents the largest one-year decline since 2015-2016. In 2021, 19,750 veterans were experiencing sheltered homelessness; 8 percent of all sheltered adults experiencing homelessness were veterans.

Youth: The 15,763 people under the age of 25 who experienced sheltered homelessness on their own as “unaccompanied youth” represent a decline of 9 percent from 2020. However, a few groups did experience increases. The number of youth who were transgender increased by 29 percent, and the number who were gender non-conforming increased by 26 percent.

Chronically Homeless: While the overall sheltered individual population has declined, the number of chronically homeless individuals (i.e., individuals who were homeless for one year or longer and had a disabling condition) staying in shelter programs has increased in recent years, and did so by 20 percent between 2020 and 2021. These data emphasize the vulnerability of this population, who may not have had the same access to some of the homelessness prevention resources that were made available during the pandemic.

“The 2021 decline in people experiencing sheltered homelessness is proof that a stronger social safety net can make a difference,” said Abt’s Meghan Henry, AHAR’s research director and lead author. “It is our responsibility to act on this knowledge and continue to target additional resources to the most vulnerable among us.”

“The data in AHAR help Congress better understand which communities are hardest hit by homelessness, where and how we are making progress, and where we need to do more,” said Abt President and CEO Kathleen Flanagan. “We look forward to building on these insights, and our longstanding partnership with HUD, to continue reducing the number of people experiencing homelessness.”

About Abt Associates

Abt Associates is a global consulting and research firm that combines data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people’s lives. We partner with clients and communities to advance equity and innovation—from creating scalable digital solutions and combatting infectious disease, to mitigating climate change and evaluating programs for measurable social impact—and more.

http://www.abtassociates.com

View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hud-report-to-congress-finds-fewer-families-in-shelters-suggesting-stronger-social-safety-net-is-working-301475980.html 

SOURCE Abt Associates

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(Black PR Wire) – Ahead of Black History Month, National Geographic is launching a powerful new podcast, “Into the Depths,” on Jan. 27 that uncovers the deep history of the transatlantic slave trade as it follows a group of Black divers who are dedicated to finding and helping to document slave shipwrecks. The podcast series trailer is now available on Apple Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found, as well as at http://natgeo.com/intothedepths. The podcast will also be accompanied by a cover story in the March issue of National Geographic magazine, available online on Feb. 7, and a National Geographic documentary special, “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship,” premiering Monday, Feb. 7,  p.m. EST on National Geographic and available to stream next day on Hulu.

The six-part podcast series, funded in part by the National Geographic Society, highlights the journey of National Geographic Explorer Tara Roberts (@curvypath_tara on Instagram), who quit her job and left her life behind to follow in the footsteps of Diving With a Purpose, a group of Black divers who traverse the globe in search of long-lost slave shipwrecks and the truth of the history that accompanies them. The podcast follows Roberts from Florida to Costa Rica, and from the continent of Africa back to Roberts’ family home in Edenton, North Carolina, where the journey quickly turns personal for her.

“What I was experiencing was this sense of longing. I think this is a unique thing for African Americans. Where is home for us?” she asks in the fourth episode of the series. The question leads her on this life-changing journey. 

“‘Into the Depths’ is a profound and personal exploration of identity and history as told through the lens of Black scientists and storytellers eager to deepen our understanding of American history,” says Davar Ardalan, executive producer of audio for National Geographic.

The podcast, which will drop from Jan. 27 to March 3, features over 40 voices, including underwater divers and archaeologists, descendants of those brought over on the ships, historians, and a variety of experts whom Roberts works with to uncover these stories. Ken Stewart, diver and co-founder of Diving With a Purpose, is featured in the second episode as Roberts dives into the story of the Spanish pirate ship, the Guerrero, which wrecked off the coast of Florida in 1827. Meanwhile, the town of Africatown, Alabama, made up of the direct descendants of Africans brought to America on the slave ship Clotilda, make an appearance in episode six. The journey brings Roberts to a deeply painful and personal crossroads concerning her identity as a Black American as she searches for a sense of belonging. You can listen on Apple Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found.

“As I got to know the divers, the ships they had found, the stories of those who had been captured, I realized this was a way to come to grips with those 400 years, with this traumatic history ,” Roberts explains in the opening of the first episode. “Through these ships, we could bring lost stories up from the depths and back into collective memory.”

The podcast series was produced and directed by Francesca Panetta with National Geographic’s Carla Wills as executive editor and producers Mike Olcott and Bianca Martin. 

“As a Black journalist, it’s been uplifting to edit and produce this podcast together with Black women storytellers who have brought tremendous insights and creativity to this groundbreaking series, including Tara as well as National Geographic Explorer and poet Alyea Pierce, sound designer Alexis Adimora, and producer Bianca Martin,” Wills says. 

National Geographic is also encouraging listeners to listen with their crews and host their own COVID-19-safe listening parties by offering a downloadable listening party toolkit, available at natgeo.com/intothedepths. The toolkit will include an episode guide, discussion guide, social sharing graphic, and more, as well as helpful information regarding how to participate in the conversation online using #intothedepths.

In addition to the podcast series, Roberts will be featured on the cover of the March issue of National Geographic magazine, which will be published online at natgeo.com/intothedepths on Feb. 7. The feature will profile Roberts’ journey as she travels with the divers to investigate the lost stories of the slave trade – both to expand the historical record and to honor the 1.8 million unsung souls who perished during the middle passage.

National Geographic will also premiere a documentary special, “CLOTILDA: LAST AMERICAN SLAVE SHIP,” about the most intact slave shipwreck found to date and the only one for which we know the full story of the voyage, the passengers and their descendants. In July 1860, on a bet, the schooner Clotilda carried 110 kidnapped Africans to slavery in Alabama. The traffickers tried to hide their crime by burning and sinking the ship, but now, for the first time since Clotilda arrived in America, maritime archaeologists enter the wreck. In a dangerous dive, they explore the actual cargo hold and find physical evidence of the crime the slave traders tried so hard to hide. Descendants of the passengers share how their ancestors turned a cruel tragedy into an uplifting story of courage and resilience. 

The special features experts include the following:

-Sylviane Diouf, historian and author of “Dreams of Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America”

-Natalie S. Robertson, historian and author of “The Slave Shop Clotilda and the Making of Africatown, USA” 

-Mary Elliott, curator of American slavery, National Museum of African American History and Culture

-James Delgado, maritime archaeologist, SEARCH Inc.

-Stacye Hathorn, Alabama State archaeologist, Alabama Historical Commission

-Joseph Grinnan, maritime archaeologist/diver, SEARCH, Inc. 

-Kamau Sadiki, lead instructor, Diving With a Purpose

“Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship” is produced by National Geographic Studios, with producer/director Lisa Feit, senior associate producer Alex Brady, senior lead editor Joe Bridgers, editor Liv Gwynn and executive producer Chad Cohen. Michael Cooke is the director of photography. For National Geographic, Courteney Monroe is president, Content. 

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(Black PR Wire) – James Mtume, an R&B legend whose 1983 hit, “Juicy Fruit,” returned to the charts a decade later as #1 single of rap legend Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy,” died on Jan. 9. He was 76. His death was confirmed by his publicist, Angelo Ellerbee.

Mtume’s musical genius ranged from disco to jazz, and everywhere in between. Not to mention his dramatic compositions for television (“New York Undercover”) and film (“Native Son”). “Juicy Fruit,” the biggest hit from his self-titled R&B group, has been sampled countless times, most famously on Notorious B.I.G.’s classic “Juicy.” Mtume also produced and co-wrote hit singles for Stephanie Mills (“Never Knew Love Like This Before”) and Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway (“The Closer I get To You”) in collaboration with his musical partner and fellow Miles Davis band alum Reggie Lucas.

Mtume was born in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, as the son of saxophonist Jimmy Heath. Raised by his stepfather, Philly jazz pianist James Forman, the young musician grew up with activist roots (he saw Malcolm X speak as a child) and moved to California in the mid-‘60s on a swimming scholarship. There, he joined the Black empowerment group, the U.S. Organization (whose founder, Maulana Karenga created the holiday Kwanzaa), and recorded his earliest solo albums starting with “Alkebu-Lan – Land of the Blacks.”

According to NPR, after returning to the East Coast, Mtume (whose name translates as “messenger” in Swahili), played with jazz band leaders such as McCoy Tyner and Freddie Hubbard as well as recording with his uncle, Albert “Tootie” Heath on the “Kawaida” album. Around this time Mtume joined Miles Davis’ band for a four-year stint that included some of the jazz legend’s most adventurous material, including “Dark Magus” and “Pangaea.”

In his 1989 autobiography “Miles,” Davis noted Mtume’s impact on the heartbeat of his band: “With Mtume Heath and Pete Cosey joining us, most of the European sensibilities were gone from the band. Now the band settled down into a deep African thing, a deep African-American groove, with a lot of emphasis on drums and rhythm, and not on individual solos.”

In 1978, following dozens of jazz sessions, Mtume formed his self-named “sophistifunk” R&B-jazz ensemble with Lucas and vocalist Tawatha Agee, releasing the albums “Kiss This World Goodbye” (1978).

After 1980’s “In Search of the Rainbow Seekers,” the band released 1983’s “Juicy Fruit.” The title track became the band’s biggest hit, and it was famously sampled on the Notorious B.I.G.’s “Juicy.” The band followed it with two more albums: 1984’s “You, Me and He,” which spawned another hit record, and 1986’s “Theater of the Mind.”

Mtume was later credited on songs by Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, and K-Ci and Jo-Jo. Mtume became a radio personality for New York City’s KISS 98.7 FM. In 2019, he gave a TED Talk titled “Our Common Ground in Music.”

Following the news of his death, Mtume was mourned on social media by the artists who loved his music, including Gangstarr’s DJ Premier, Talib Kweli and others. 

“Thank you James Mtume for all the wisdom & love & respect you’ve shown me & my brothers over the years,” Questlove wrote.

“Rest In Power to the great James Mtume,” Philadelphia DJ Cosmo Baker wrote on Twitter. “The South Philly native & prodigal son, Jazz ROYALTY (the son of the great Jimmy Heath) and music trailblazer & pioneer. His passing is truly a monumental loss.”

“Rest In Peace to the legendary James Mtume,” added BET host Marc Lamont Hill. “Thank you for sharing your tremendous gifts with us for so long…”

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(Black PR Wire) – Accomplished actor, director, educator and lifelong children’s literacy advocate LeVar Burton will serve as host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the televised semifinals on June 1 and finals on June 2, 2022, near Washington, D.C.

Burton has won Emmy and Grammy awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He will serve as grand marshal of the Jan. 1, 2022, Rose Bowl Parade, themed “Dream. Believe. Achieve.”

He has entertained generations as former host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow” (1983-2006), starring as Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed television miniseries “Roots” (1977), and as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in “Star Trek: The Next Generation television series (1987-94).

“The selection of Mr. Burton as host aligns with the mission of the Scripps National Spelling Bee,” said Dr. J. Michael Durnil, executive director of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. “To have such a prominent advocate for children’s literacy involved in this special and unique competition is a perfect match. We have the same goals: to educate tomorrow’s leaders and build reading competency in all young people.” 

“Hosting the Scripps National Spelling Bee will be an honor,” Burton said. “Like a lot of folks, I look forward to the competition every year and am excited to be a part of this wonderful tradition that celebrates excellence.”

Burton has been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and 27 Daytime Emmys, culminating in 21 wins. “Reading Rainbow” was one of the longest running children’s television shows in history and won more than 25 awards, including 10 for outstanding series and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. Burton has been nominated twice for the Best Spoken Word Album Grammy Award and won in 1999 for narrating “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.”

The announcement about Burton follows recent news that the 2022 Bee will be accessible to the widest audience in its nearly 100-year history with the semifinals and finals airing on national television networks ION and Bounce, both available free and over-the-air to viewers as well as on cable and streaming platforms. Full broadcast schedules and streaming plans will be announced in early 2022. 

The Bee is the nation’s longest-running educational competition, having launched in 1925, and has aired on ESPN platforms since 1994. The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is the longtime steward of the competition and owns ION and Bounce. ION is the No. 5 most-watched entertainment network in primetime, and Bounce is the No. 2 most-watched network targeted to African Americans across broadcast and cable TV.

The deadline for schools to enroll in the 2022 Spelling Bee is Jan. 31 for most regions; check www.spellingbee.com to confirm your school’s enrollment deadline. School bees are held throughout the fall and early 2022, and regional bees run Feb. 1 through March 31. 

About the Scripps National Spelling Bee:  

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational program, having launched in 1925. The purpose of the Scripps National Spelling Bee is to help students improve their spelling, increase their vocabularies, learn concepts and develop correct English usage that will help them all their lives. Visit spellingbee.com for more information about the Scripps National Spelling Bee, which is administered on a not-for-profit basis by The E.W. Scripps Company.  

About Scripps

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As the nation’s fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff, Court TV Mystery, Defy TV, and TrueReal. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of the broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades the motto, “Give light, and the people will find their own way.”

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By Black PR Wire

Motivating Students to Excel Through the Arts 

(Black PR Wire) BALTIMORE, Maryland — Since 2004, Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center  (LTYC) has been changing the lives of underprivileged youth in the DMV through the arts. The  nonprofit organization, which serves youth ages 5-18, offers programming through partner  schools and establishments. Their outstanding efforts to improve lives is getting the attention of  several nationally recognized organizations, earning at least 15 awards and accolades to date! 

Offering year-round programming, Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center mentors and inspires  youth to thrive academically, socially, and developmentally by encouraging self-expression  through the arts. 

Through after school and summer enrichment, kids are exposed to creative avenues that help  them unlock apprehension and progress forward. 

LYTCs goal is to reach the whole child! As such, the organization has made great strides in  helping kids forge through emotional and psychological barriers that often hinder them from  reaching their full potential. Some challenges may include but are not limited to, past or present  trauma, socio-economic deficiencies, lack of opportunity, and stereotypical labeling. Kids  enrolled in the program receive 1-to-1 arts mentoring, behavior intervention, and specialized  workshops to address vital needs. Professional development is also available for families. 

Having served more than 100,000 students over the past 17 years, participants in the DMV  region are showing great promise. Through LYCTs arts in education connection with local  school districts and partnerships with other organizations, the positive impact is widespread.  The nonprofit has collaborated with Child First Authority, Excel Beyond the Bell, Baltimore City 

Schools, Baltimore County Schools, District of Columbia Public Schools, Prince George’s Public  Schools, Elev8, and many more! These partnerships have extended LTYCs capacity to expand,  create and innovate in broader dimensions. Just recently, LTYC was one of the 91 nonprofit  organizations serving Washington, DC selected to receive awards of $12 million to youth serving organizations. 

Through great fortitude and diligence, Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center managed to continue  programming despite the COVID-19 Pandemic. To that end, the organization has received  countless awards and recognition from elite groups such as WBAL Kids, Baltimore Office of  Promotion and Arts, Nora Roberts Foundation, Weisner Foundation, Urban Children  Foundation, Thomas Wilson Foundation, and Charlesmeade. The impact of LTYCs efforts  reaches beyond local communities; it is evident statewide! 

Also, recently, LTYC was awarded the NACo Achievement Award which seeks to recognize innovative county government programs. Their Scholars program was submitted for entry on  behalf of Howard County, Maryland. The criteria for selection includes one of the following: 

• Offer new services to county residents, fill gaps in the availability of existing services, or tap into new revenue sources
• Improve the administration of an existing county government program • Upgrade the working conditions or level of training for county employees • Enhance the level of citizen participation in, or the understanding of, government programs
• Provide information that facilitates effective public policymaking
• Promote intergovernmental cooperation and coordination in addressing shared problems

LTYC exceeded expectations by fulfilling most of these requirements, thus earning the award.  The organization is growing exponentially and hopes to ultimately reach youth nationwide! 

Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center 

 ### 

To inquire about programs offered by LTYC, contact CarVer Communications, Nicole Kirby, therealcarver@gmail.com

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Breast cancer doesn’t have a color but the journey, narrative, and experience of a Black woman surviving cancer are radically different from a White woman. Studies suggest Black women do not have the highest diagnosis of breast cancer incidence, yet they have a higher death rate than other races of women. 

When Rev. Tammie Denyse received her diagnosis, she learned that Black women had a 41% higher mortality rate than White women with an identical diagnosis. Shaken by this revelation, she was propelled by her personal wish to LIVE despite the diagnosis and be there to save a community of Black women facing the same circumstances. 

Now a 17-year breast cancer survivor, she has dedicated herself to advocating for cancer patients and their families through the trauma of a cancer diagnosis. She co-founded Carrie’s Touch with her late sister Lynne Rankin-Cochran, targeting the local faith-based community. 

When Rev. Tammie realized the gut-wrenching statistic that 41% of Black women die more often than White women, she sought to understand the reasons why.

Diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer that had already begun to spread, her oncologist told her that she may not live to see the coveted five-year anniversary.

She was offered to participate in a clinical trial but was shocked when her oncologist shared she was unaware of how Black women were responding to the trial. It was at that moment that Rev. Tammie was determined to live not only for herself and her children but also to help other Black women live.

In their 15th year of operations, Carrie’s TOUCH launched the  Survive and Thrive app. It is the first-of-its-kind app made by BIPOC [ Black, indigenous and people of color] women for BIPOC women in the fight for their LIFE after a breast cancer diagnosis. The Survive and Thrive app aims to close the breast cancer mortality disparity for Black women. They are steadfast in their commitment to reverse the staggering statistic that remains today. 

Rev. Tammie explains, “Being a pastor and a Black woman, focusing on the faith-based community was organic for us.” 

She continues, “We needed to get the word out to Black women in the community and educate them about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.” 

Though breast cancer does not have a color, the journey, narrative, and experience of a Black woman surviving cancer are oftentimes radically different from a White woman. Black women are burdened by many factors including lack of adequate support, lack of doctor-patient trust, lack of financial and material resources, lack of awareness and data and lack of education about breast cancer and its many treatments and side effects. 

Survive and Thrive’s purpose is simple and is inspired by the breast cancer diagnosis of Rev. Tammie’s personal journey, the women she serves, commitment to support more Black, indigenous, women of color, and to humanize their experience with breast cancer.

Rev. Tammie says Survive and Thrive is the future of breast cancer advocacy because it is still unacceptable that Black women are dying at 41% higher rates than White women.

“We are implementing tangible support and resources for Black, indigenous, women of color and creating a clearer pathway of communication and understanding between patient and doctor through a more comprehensive picture of the whole woman, not just her diagnosis,” she adds.

Key features of the app are:

• “I WAS JUST DIAGNOSED” Page that offers an easy “Start Here” option for new survivors.
• Meditations, affirmations, journals, and reminders created for Breast Cancer Survivors.
• Support groups, videos, financial resources, oncologists of color, free/low-cost therapy, and other resources. 

This app is available on iOS devices and provided for free by Carrie’s TOUCH.

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(Black PR Wire) – During a launch event at Dunbar High School with JPMorgan Chase and Youth Guidance to announce the D.C. expansion of their respective programs, The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) and Becoming a Man (BAM), Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick announced the University would grant two full-tuition scholarships to District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) participants who graduate from the academic, social, emotional and career readiness program.  

Howard has long held a commitment to educate, support and inspire Black and brown men and women in American society and throughout the world. In each of its 14 schools and colleges, Howard University seeks to develop technically competent and morally committed individuals, and both the BAM and TFI programs further that mission.  

Dr. Frederick surprised the audience of young men and his staff with the news on December 1 while sharing his closing remarks.  

“Students at D.C. Public Schools are some of the brightest and most ambitious I have ever encountered. All they need to excel in life, to become a leader in their chosen professions and to realize their full potential is an opportunity,” said Dr. Frederick. “We are privileged to support two DCPS graduates who decide to matriculate to Howard. These students will undoubtedly impact and change the world around them, and I am excited that Howard will play an essential part in their story as the University has played an integral role in mine.” 

JPMorgan Chase agreed to match Howard University’s award, with the partnership offering a total of four full-tuition scholarships to TFI/BAM graduates of DCPS who apply and are accepted into the University. Students must maintain a GPA of at least 3.2 to obtain their scholarship.

Dr. Frederick also announced that Howard University would cover the remaining tuition for Sagid Mohamed, Howard sophomore and alumnus of the TFI program, whose tuition was previously only partially funded by financial aid and scholarships. Mohamed spoke at the event about how his TFI experience prepared him to succeed at Howard. 

“It’s amazing to see such large companies truly believe in the importance of investing in young men of color and communities of color,” said Mohamed. “And then at the end , I got surprised with a scholarship, and I got caught off guard. I’m speechless. It’s surreal. I’m forever thankful to Howard University and Dr. Wayne Frederick.”  

The multi-year school-based program will deliver academic coaching, college and career readiness services, social and mental health support, and leadership development to hundreds of high school students to help put them on a path toward greater economic mobility. Students will also be matched with a mentor and licensed clinical counselor. 

JPMorgan Chase’s The Fellowship Initiative launched in 2010 and provides comprehensive and hands-on academic, mental health and wellness support to young men of color in high school. Over the last decade, TFI has matched more than 350 high school fellows in New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles with JPMorgan Chase mentors. In 2020, TFI committed to expanding the program to 1,000 more fellows nationally over the next 10 years and has since expanded to Houston and Oakland. The firm’s commitment to the D.C. program is part of its broader $30 billion racial equity commitment and builds on a $350 million, five-year global initiative to prepare people for the future of work.  

The BAM program has received national recognition from former President Obama as an evidenced approach to trauma reduction and violence prevention for young men of color who are at risk of being involved in violent crime or dropping out of high school. Recent research reveals that while around 94 percent of BAM participants have encountered trauma and around 70 percent report symptoms of depression, nearly 60 percent report a substantial decrease in feelings of depression after one year of participation.

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New pilot program is supported by a more than $21 million commitment from Amazon to  provide real estate developers of color with education, mentorship, and access to  capital in Amazon’s hometown communities in Washington state’s Puget Sound region;  the Arlington, Virginia region; and Nashville, Tennessee 

(Black PR Wire) SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced it is committing more than $21 million to pilot a professional training, mentorship, and capital funding program to help promote real estate developers of color. This two-year, part time professional development program, which is free for participants, aims to teach real estate developers of color how to advance their careers. It also aims to lower the barriers these developers can face when bidding for affordable housing developments. The goal of the program is to increase the number of professional real estate developers of color who are focused on affordable housing and inclusive community building. This initiative is part of the $2 billion Amazon Housing Equity Fund, a commitment to create and preserve 20,000 affordable homes for individuals and families earning moderate to low incomes in Washington state’s Puget Sound region; the Arlington, Virginia region; and Nashville, Tennessee.

“With this accelerator program, we are laser focused on lifting up emerging real estate  developers of color. We want to foster their professional growth through education and training,  as well as improve their access to capital, which can be elusive to developers of color,” said  Catherine Buell, director of the Amazon Housing Equity Fund. “If we are going to bring about  lasting, holistic, and meaningful change to how affordable housing is developed, developers of  color need to be a part of the solution.” 

Not only are developers of color underrepresented in the real estate industry, but they also lack  access to the capital and resources necessary to advance much-needed affordable housing  projects to help their communities. According to a 2019 report from the Urban Land Institute, a  nonprofit research and education organization for real estate and land use experts, 5% of its  U.S. members are Black and 82% are white, though Blacks represent more than 13% of the  U.S. population. This disparity translates into a lack of diversity at the project development level  that can subsequently exclude developers of color from working on meaningful and lucrative  housing deals as cities expand. 

Amazon has partnered with local social impact and economic justice organizations in each  region—the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) in the Puget Sound region, Capital  Impact Partners in the Arlington region, and the Urban League of Middle Tennessee in  Nashville—to develop curriculums and networking opportunities that reflect the specific issues  facing their communities. The accelerator program will initially support up to 30 total participants  by providing: 

• Virtual and in-person classroom instruction on real estate fundamentals, affordable housing trends, public policy, and financing best practices
• Small group mentoring
• Professional networking opportunities with industry leaders, researchers, and established real estate developers
• Access to capital for pre-development expenses, such as architectural and engineering costs; permitting, survey and site-planning fees; and market and feasibility studies

“Developers of color bring enormous opportunity for creative and inclusive solutions to  community-focused real estate development, but systemic issues continue to create multiple  barriers to their success,” said Ellis Carr, president and CEO of Capital Impact Partners and  CDC Small Business Finance. “Through this program, we are partnering with Amazon in helping  open doors for people of color who can then pay their experience forward.” 

“With Amazon’s support, our hope is to bridge the knowledge gap and build a bench of  developers of color who are trusted in their communities,” said Brian Surratt, executive director  of LISC Puget Sound. “These developers are then likely to hire contractors and other workers of  color, some of whom may live in those same neighborhoods.” 

Participants in the program will be selected by each partner organization and will be based on  the following eligibility guidelines:

• Identify as a person of color
• Work experience as a developer at a real estate development firm or organization • Real estate development activities focused in the Puget Sound region, Arlington region, or Nashville

Concurrent to the accelerator program, Amazon is also partnering with Enterprise Community  Loan Fund, Inc. to administer grants of up to $200,000 to qualified real estate developers of  color. These grants are open to anyone who applies to the Amazon Housing Equity Fund and  needs assistance with the capacity-building and pre-development expenses associated with the  preservation and creation of affordable housing within Amazon’s three focus regions. 

The Amazon Housing Equity Fund is a more than $2 billion commitment to create or preserve  existing housing and create inclusive housing developments through below-market loans and  grants to housing partners, traditional and non-traditional public agencies, and minority-led  organizations. Since its January launch, the fund’s commitments will preserve or create over  5,600 affordable housing units, with more investments to come. 

Learn more about the Amazon Housing Equity Fund as well as opportunities with this  accelerator program in Washington state’s Puget Sound region, Northern Virginia or Nashville,  Tennessee. 

About Amazon 

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion  for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to  be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place  

to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime,  Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire  TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge  are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

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(Black PR Wire) – Safety, nutrition and sustainability are important elements for any community, and for Nourish + Bloom Markets they comprise the cornerstone of their business model. Nourish + Bloom Market, set to open on Dec. 17, in Fayetteville, Georgia, features “frictionless shopping.” Customers will be able to walk in, grab what they need, and leave without waiting in line or stopping to scan and pay, especially helpful in this “new normal” post pandemic world.

The owners, Jamie Michael Hemmings and Jilea Hemmings, began their journey into the food industry after their oldest son was diagnosed with autism. They believe that everyone deserves access to healthy food options. Getting access to healthier options is made easier through their fully autonomous shopping experience and robotic delivery. 

Nourish + Bloom is re-envisioning the traditional corner store by focusing on the personal connections of the neighborhood retailer while infusing sustainability, and autonomous checkout technology. Food and personal care items are curated with the highest standards in mind. Highest priority is given to local brands to reduce our carbon footprint.

Nourish + Bloom offers locally sourced craft items such as produce, meats, baked goods, dairy and prepared meals, alongside everyday grocery items with no checkout. The benefit of autonomous shopping, vending, and robotic delivery means you have 24/7/365 access to real food and environmentally friendly products anytime.

Anchored in the Nourish + Bloom market is the bistro offering freshly prepared breakfast, lunch and dinner items, including sandwiches, salads and healthy rice bowls. All products provided at Nourish + Bloom Markets are made with the highest quality ingredients that are minimally processed. There are no GMO’s or high fructose corn syrup included in any products.

The Nourish + Bloom Market will offer uniquely curated products and a wide assortment of premium food and personal care products. They will also offer a fresh, prepared foods menu with the finest ingredients. 

For more information, visit: www.nourishandbloommarket.com.

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(Black PR Wire) Washington DC – Today, the Southern Christian Leadership Global Policy  Initiative (SCL-GPI) and Creative Investment Research (CIR) released a white paper titled 

“Why Drug Pricing Programs Have Not Reduced Health Disparities.” 

The COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest surrounding racial disparities and systemic racism have put renewed emphasis on closing health and wealth gaps. Prescription drug pricing, always a hot topic in the battle for equity, has been at the forefront of this conversation. The  disproportionate impact of COVID-19 intensified the scrutiny on access to medicines, co morbidity, and other issues surrounding health equity. 

According to Kevin B. Kimble, Esq., Executive Director of SCL-GPI, “As we seek to address the persistent health disparities that exist in our country, we must first examine the efforts that have  come before and learn what has and has not worked.” 

This paper examines the role of the 340B Program, Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs),  Copay Accumulators, and the phenomenon of pharmacy deserts in the utilization of prescription  drugs, their costs, and impact on racial health disparities. While there is evidence these  programs have provided benefits to the intended, they have not significantly improved the  availability of affordable care for underserved communities or reduced the disparity in life  expectancy between Black and Latino Americans and non-Hispanic whites. 

“Our focus has been on accurately evaluating the impact that current programs designed to increase life expectancy have had for Black and Brown communities. Addressing these  deficiencies requires an honest review and effective rethinking of existing programs as well as  alternative approaches by lawmakers and industry stakeholders focused on prioritizing care for  vulnerable populations” said William Michael Cunningham, Economist at Creative Investment  Research.

Southern Christian Leadership Global Policy Initiative (SCL-GPI) – Founded to help the civil rights movement research the most critical issues, SCL-GPI works to solve the most impactful problems in disadvantaged and minority communities. SCL-GPI researches specific social justice issues to identify correctable problems, design innovative policies to address these problems, and build coalitions to advocate for a policy strategy supporting a better standard of living for all communities. For more information, contact bbuckner@sclgpi.org 

At Creative Investment Research, we know that change doesn’t happen overnight. We also know that any change worth fighting for takes a united force with relevant and accurate information, perseverance, and tenacity. With over 30 years of experience, we are dedicated to helping individuals, organizations, and corporations understand the social hardships that lay heavy on the world – bringing awareness to the issues. Armed with this knowledge, we collaborate with these entities to design, develop, test, and measure innovative investment vehicles to drive social reform. 

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Fifteen Black- and Brown-owned green technology and clean energy businesses are joining Apple’s inaugural Impact Accelerator, part of the company’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative.

By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) – Apple recently unveiled its first class of 15 Black- and Brown-owned businesses on the cutting edge of green technology and clean energy, who will join the company’s Impact Accelerator to support equity and opportunity in the environmental sector. Part of Apple’s Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, this program will help to combat systemic barriers to opportunity, while also advancing innovative solutions for communities most impacted by climate change.

The 15 businesses are based across the U.S. — from Silicon Valley in California, to Detroit, Michigan, to tribal nations across the Midwest — and driving innovation in energy efficiency, solar, green chemistry, recycling, and other environmental areas. Many share a specific focus on bringing clean energy, opportunity, and vital services to vulnerable and underserved communities.

“We are thrilled to welcome our first Impact Accelerator class, and look forward to seeing how these innovative businesses will expand their work to protect the planet and our communities,” said Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president of Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. “On our journey to our 2030 carbon neutral goal for our supply chain and products, we’re determined to help create a greener and more equitable future for all people. The businesses we’re partnering with today are poised to become tomorrow’s diverse and innovative industry leaders, creating ripples of change to help communities everywhere adapt to the urgent challenges posed by climate change.”

Selected companies will participate in customized training, and have access to Apple experts and an alumni community. The Impact Accelerator is tailored to support Black-, Brown-, and Native American and Indigenous-owned businesses that share Apple’s focus on innovation and commitment to the environment as they achieve their next stage of development. Following the three-month virtual program, the companies will be considered for opportunities to act as suppliers to Apple as it works to become carbon neutral for its supply chain and products by 2030. 

Meet the Companies 

BlocPower
Founder and CEO: Donnel Baird
Climate Technology Company in Brooklyn, N.Y.
BlocPower aims to make American cities greener, smarter, and healthier by turning aging, inefficient buildings into state-of-the-art structures. Since its founding in 2014, BlocPower has retrofitted more than 1,200 buildings in disadvantaged communities across 26 cities with smart, eco-friendly, electric heating and cooling systems.  

Mosaic Global Transportation
Founder, President, and CEO: Maurice H. Brewster
Transportation Firm in San Jose, Calif.
Mosaic Global Transportation is a minority-owned, multimillion-dollar international ground transportation company that specializes in employee shuttles, commuter services, and meeting and events businesses. Aiming to replace gasoline-operated vehicles that are used for these programs with electric vehicles, the company is deeply committed to giving back to the community.

Volt Energy Utility
Co-Founder and CEO: Gilbert Campbell III 
Utility-Solar Energy Development Firm in Washington, D.C.
Volt Energy Utility develops, finances, and operates utility-scale solar projects for private and public clients. One of the firm’s unique offerings is the Environmental Justice Power Purchase Agreement which serves as a funding source for various programs dedicated to expanding the benefits of clean energy to underserved communities and constituencies. Campbell co-founded Volt Energy over 10 years ago, which developed several distributed generation projects. He founded Volt Energy Utility with the clear intent to provide services and expertise to satisfy the increased demands for utility-scale solar.  

Bench-Tek Solutions
Founder and CEO: Maria Castellon
Manufacturing and Automation Company in Santa Clara, Calif.
Bench-Tek Solutions is a Silicon Valley-based manufacturing company that specializes in making laboratory and industrial workbenches. They focus on building ergonomic and environmentally friendly furniture for different types of workspaces. Maria Castellon founded the company in 2002 after immigrating to the US from Mexico for college. She found work as a janitor at IBM, which led her to launch her career at a workbench manufacturing company and ultimately start her own business. Today, Bench-Tek operates with a diverse workforce, serves a vast clientele, and maintains a strong standing in the manufacturing industry.

GreenTek Solutions 
Founder and CEO: Anuar Garcia
Recycling and Reuse Company in Houston, Texas
GreenTek Solutions is committed to repurposing, refurbishing, recycling, and reusing technology products and offering extensive IT asset services for buying, selling, and liquidating equipment. The company is consistently finding ways to anticipate future tech trends, environmental concerns, and client needs.

Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc.
President and Chief Financial Officer: Karl Johnson
Chemical Safety Firm in Detroit, Mich.
Diversified Chemical Technologies, Inc. is a technology, specialty chemicals, and services company with manufactured product lines in adhesives, process chemicals, CIP/COP cleaners, facility cleaners, metal working fluids and lubricants, and MRO service solutions. The company operates on the Diversified 1 Systems model to promote excellence, stewardship, and sustainability in their leadership and throughout the company, believing it creates value for their stakeholders, reduces their carbon footprint, and keeps them socially responsible. The company is a manufacturer of janitorial chemicals and has evolved to supplying the largest consumer products, healthcare, automotive, and general manufacturing companies with a broad spectrum of custom-developed product solutions.

Oceti Sakowin Power Authority
Chairman and Head of the Board of Directors: Lyle Jack
Clean Energy Developer in Tribal Regions Across the Dakotas
The Oceti Sakowin Power Authority is an independent, nonprofit governmental entity formed by six Sioux tribes to jointly develop tribal renewable energy resources by financing, developing, constructing, and operating power generation and transmission facilities for the wholesale market. Their mission is to work together to deliver power and sustainable development, bringing jobs and economic development to their reservation communities, and preserving the earth for future generations. This power project is on track to create large-scale wind and solar power developments in the country with plans to produce up to 2 gigawatt hours of emissions-free electricity in the Midwest.

Vericool, Inc.
Founder and CEO: Darrell Jobe
Packaging and Shipment Company in Livermore, Calif.
Vericool is a company focused on making sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging that can replace expanded polystyrene (EPS) and other petroleum-based foam packaging for shipments that need to stay protected. Vericool produces patented, high-performing packaging solutions made from natural ingredients that revolutionize the way cold chain products are shipped. Vericool is committed to a diverse workforce and reducing prison recidivism by providing equal employment opportunities to those in need of a second chance.

Dunamis Clean Energy Partners 
Founder and CEO: Natalie King
Environmental Solutions Company in Southfield, Mich.
Dunamis Clean Energy Partners is a technology, manufacturing, and engineering firm focused on energy efficiency and environmental service solutions. Dunamis’s founder and CEO, Natalie King, led the company to become a multimillion-dollar corporation with over 150 employees throughout Southeastern Michigan.

VMX International 
Founder, President, and CEO: Vickie Lewis
Environmental Services Company in Detroit, Mich.
As an environmental services company, VMX International provides solid waste collection, recycling, regulatory, and project management services to government, commercial, industrial, and construction customers across the U.S. and Canada. Since it was founded in 2001, VMX International has grown and diversified to a staff of over 50 full-time employees stationed across the nation.

Argent Associates
Founder, President, and CEO: Beatriz Manetta
Technology Consultancy in Plano, Texas
Founded in 1998, Argent Associates has built its legacy by creating innovative supply chain solutions while keeping its commitment to environmental protection. Manetta emigrated to the U.S. from Argentina as a young girl and worked for 20 years in corporate America. She used her learnings to launch her own business where she is now president and CEO. Today, Argent’s emphasis on a diverse technology-driven ecosystem has won the company numerous awards for their work, leadership, and diversity in the workforce.

Inspectorio 
Co-Founders: Carlos Moncayo and David Klein
Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Minneapolis, Minn.
Inspectorio is a cloud-based SaaS solution focused on creating dynamic and risk-based quality and compliance programs with the goal of building an interconnected, sustainable, and transparent supply chain. Today it is used by over 15,000 network participants across the globe, including some of the largest brands and retailers in the world. Moncayo was the youngest Latin American CEO to join the Group of Fifty and was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

Group O
CEO: Gregg Ontiveros
Supply Chain Solutions Firm in Milan, Ill.
Founded in 1974 as a small Midwest packaging distributor, Group O has grown into one of the largest Latino-owned businesses in the United States. As an end-to-end business process outsourcer serving some of the world’s largest brands, Group O specializes in integrated supply chain solutions designed to optimize operations while reducing waste. They are committed to environmental stewardship through several programs and policies that reduce not only their own carbon footprint, but that of their clients. As a certified MBE, Group O is dedicated to building a diverse workforce in addition to working with and mentoring other minority-owned businesses and suppliers.

RFG-MPW Environmental & Facility Services
Chairman and CEO: Roderick Rickman
Industrial Cleaning and Environmental Service Firm in Detroit, Mich.
RFG-MPW is the leading provider of integrated, technology-based industrial cleaning, facility management, water purification, container management, and environmental services in North America. The company assists in enhancing operational efficiencies, improving reliability, and minimizing costs to ensure their clients have a safer and cleaner work environment to deliver high-quality products.

L2S Engineering, LLC
Founder: Laurie Ann Sibani
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineering Design Firm in Leesburg, Va., and Apollo Beach, Fla.
L2S Engineering, LLC is a Native American-, woman-owned mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering design firm that provides services in multiple states. Its mission is to achieve new heights in engineering excellence by providing services that will help their clients achieve their sustainable environmental goals and reduce their carbon footprint. Sibani is an electrical engineer with extensive design and project management experience, and prides herself on developing efficient solutions for her clients.  

For more information about Apple’s commitment to protecting the environment, visit apple.com/environment.

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(Black PR Wire) – ESSENCE, the leading and only 100% Black-owned media, technology and commerce company at scale dedicated to Black women and communities, will celebrate global Black Fashion with its annual ESSENCE Fashion House™ taking place during New York Fashion Week. Coming on the heels of its Global Black Fashion September/October issue which features rapper Megan Thee Stallion, this star-studded experience discovering and recognizing cutting-edge Black creatives in fashion and their contributions is critical as the fashion industry continues to grapple with diverse representation and constructing solutions for economic inclusion. During this red-carpet event, ESSENCE will highlight Black excellence with awe-inspiring runway collections, exclusive designer showcases, insightful conversations with industry mavens and celebrities, post-worthy photo moments, and more. ESSENCE Fashion House™ is sponsored by Coca-Cola and Hennessy.

“Black designers and creatives have long been disruptors and innovators who have inspired and transformed the fashion industry at-large and continue to be leaders of culture across the globe–and yet who have not received correspondent levels of recognition for their contributions,” said Latraviette Smith-Wilson, Chief Strategy & Engagement Officer, ESSENCE. “ESSENCE Fashion House puts a well-earned spotlight on the power and pervasiveness of their creativity and serves as a platform for them to be duly acknowledged during one of the most recognized weeks in global fashion. For more than 50 years, ESSENCE has championed the power and impact of inclusion, and during this celebration and beyond, we want Black creatives to know that we see them, we support them and we are a home for them 365 days a year.”

ESSENCE Fashion House™ attendees will experience stunning fashion moments from leading Black designers including: ARC of ANDRE, GRAYSCALE, LAVNTG and ECLECTICIST. In addition, the event will feature conversations with fashion industry leaders. Portions of the event will be rebroadcast on Monday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. (ET) on ESSENCEStudios.com.

“Our annual ESSENCE Fashion House experience is a testament to all of the amazing designers and influencers across the diaspora who have had such a great impact on the industry,” said Cori Murray, Deputy Editor, ESSENCE. “ESSENCE is proud of our longstanding commitment to showcase the power of Black designers across our pages, stages and digital platforms. Fashion House is also an extension of our Global Black Fashion issue which highlights the founders, creatives and designers you need to know now. As conversations around diversity in the industry continue, we can look forward to a bright future with the talent that we will see during our event.”

ESSENCE’s coveted September/October issue (on newsstands now) also features a special “Global Black Fashion” package that includes: Black Creatives in Fashion, highlighting disruptors and innovators transforming the game and The Business of Black Fashion, which explores how designers of color are boldly elevating the industry, with groundbreaking results.

To RSVP please click here. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all participants are required to be fully vaccinated and to wear a mask. For more information, follow @Essence on social or visit ESSENCE.com/FashionHouse2021.

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Tammy Combs, writer, innovator, entrepreneur and publisher of Black Pages of the South.

(Black PR Wire) – With millions of Black-owned businesses across the nation, Black-owned businesses have yet to have a full, comprehensive and consistent site that connects customers to Black-owned business, especially in southern states. But not for long…. On Monday, Aug. 30, Black Pages of the South officially launches, and plans for a mobile app will be released shortly after.  

Black Pages of the South is an online/digital directory that lists Black-owned businesses in the southern area of the United States.  This directory covers Black business listings that range from grocery stores, beauty services, realtors, mechanics, professional services and beyond.

“We created Black Pages of the South to make it easier for our Black consumers to circulate the Black dollar,” says Tammy Combs, writer, innovator, entrepreneur and publisher of Black Pages of the South.  “Our mission and goal is to help to empower our community.”

Prior to creating Black Pages of the South, Mrs. Combs owned and operated Southwest Georgia Black Pages, a successful magazine directory that was developed over 20 years ago. She is known throughout Georgia and Florida as a representative of Black Pages while servicing the community. Tammy Combs operates Black Pages of the South with Ashley Tucker, who is the executive editor; and Janay Sharp, who serves as editor-in-chief.

While the Black Pages of the South will showcase Black-owned business in the southern U.S. region, everyone is invited to use the service and support Black-owned businesses. 

All Black businesses in serviced states will be automatically entered into the directory. If you do not see your Black business listed, entering the name and contact information of a business in the directory is free of charge at this time. A full color directory that will display paid advertisements of your business will be coming soon.   

To place an order for a business to be listed in the Black Pages of the South online directory and in the upcoming mobile app, visit blackpagesofthesouth.com under the “Contact Us” section.

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Andrene Robinson, Project Director Aneisha Graydon, 35 Mules Project Altrese Hawkins, Co-founder & of Origination at NextEra Energy Resources Manager at FPL Dir. of Business Development & Operations at Purivy

Funding up to $100k for Startups to Lead the Charge with Global Energy Leader NextEra Energy’s Incubator

(Black PR Wire) “With the growth of renewables, the energy industry is well on its way  toward a low/no-carbon future. I am proud that NextEra Energy, Inc. is leading the way. We are constantly looking at what customers and the market need and driving innovative solutions to meet those needs; like pairing solar energy with batteries and pioneering green hydrogen technology. With 35 Mules, we’re cultivating the next generation of innovative companies, right under our own roof. NextEra Energy is an exciting place to work, and I love that we can help make a difference in the world with the work we’re doing,”  says Andrene Robinson, Project Director of Origination at NextEra Energy Resources. 

Energy, tech and energy-related startups can now apply to receive $100,000.00 in grant funding to bring their game-changing ideas to life and help solve some of the world’s most critical problems, including climate change. The program, 35 Mules, is the first in-house innovation hub powered by Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), a NextEra Energy company. The program provides entrepreneurs with funding and access to financial and marketing mentors, Fortune 200 executive coaching, advanced technology solutions, business services and world-class facilities.

Recently, 35 Mules opened applications for its next class of innovators to join the 12-18 month accelerator program in Juno Beach, Florida. Applications are currently available at 35Mules.com/apply. 

Last year, six startups received a combined $8.53 million in grants propelling their businesses forward to develop energy technologies that support sustainability efforts across the U.S. One of those startups is Purivy, a UV sanitation system, who credits their involvement in the 35 Mules program for their success.  

“At 35 Mules, we believe the key to developing great ideas into innovative businesses is  bringing together a diversity of backgrounds, skillsets and cultures,” said Aneisha Graydon,  35 Mules project manager. “I’m so proud of what our team has accomplished since we  opened our doors in 2020 in helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses through our  innovative program,” said Aneisha Graydon, 35 Mules Project Manager at Florida Power &  Light Company. 

“At Purivy, we are innovating how you clean to create a healthier world. The 35 Mules  program provides its startups with substantial resources, support and training to enable  each startup to succeed. I have a M.S in Biomedical Sciences and an M.B.A., but  entrepreneurship is more than education – it’s being able to apply what you learn through  understanding your customer, knowing how to pitch to investors and much more. The 35  Mules program empowered us as co-founders at Purivy by creating opportunities for us to  learn from subject-matter experts, leverage their network and helped initiate business  connections,” says Altrese Hawkins, Co-founder and Director of Business Development &  Operations at Purivy. 

WHEN: Applications are open now. 

WHERE: Apply online at 35mules.com/apply 

WHY: By joining the program, startups will have the opportunity to develop their big ideas with access to hands-on training from subject matter experts, mentorship and more. Last year, 35 Mules provided participants with: 

• $8.53 Million in grants since joining the program
• More than 60 one-on-one executive and leadership engagements
• More than 160 subject-matter expert learning opportunities with 20+ FPL/NEE business units
• Six awards won and nominations received since joining the program • More than 200 hours of formal training, including legal, marketing, learn startup and customer discovery, HR, intellectual property

WHO: The hub is looking for energy, water and energy-adjacent startups but values  diversity of ideas and encourages unsure prospective applicants to apply. Selected startups  will work from the FPL and NextEra Energy campus in Juno Beach, Florida, which is 90  minutes north of Miami and three minutes from the beach.

Diversity is an important part of our company’s culture. We believe diverse thought, skills and experiences lead to better business decisions and a more balanced team. Among the six startups currently enrolled in the first class of innovators at 35 Mules, there are currently four individuals of Hispanic background, one Brazilian entrepreneur and one woman of color. 

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From left to right: Miya V. Aviles, Jayden McNab, and Luke J. Fourie.

(Black PR Wire) Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and parent company NextEra Energy announced the NextEra Energy Scholarship for Black Students in SECME, which is a merit award of up to $20,000 for college-bound high school seniors who plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited two- or four-year college or university for the entire upcoming 2021-2022 academic year.

The NextEra Energy Scholarship for Black Students in SECME was awarded for the  first time in a surprise event recently, at FPL’s Miami Wynwood Battery. The scholarship  recipients are: 

• Luke J. Fourie: A Homestead resident, Luke was a member of several organizations throughout high school in addition to his participation in SECME, namely Math Honor Society, U.S. Presidential Scholars Program and Redlands  Christian Migrant Association, among others. He will be attending the University of Florida in the fall and aspires to earn his PhD and become a physicist. 
• Jayden McNab: Jayden, who lives in Miramar, first became involved in STEM topics during his sophomore year when he started competing in VEX Robotics tournaments as part of SECME. His love for the field drove him to commit to  the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he will pursue a career in  computer science. 
• Miya V. Aviles: With dreams of one day becoming a nurse, Miya from Hialeah credits SECME for having helped discover her passions. Throughout high school, she volunteered at health centers, attended industry competitions, and even served as a club officer. Miya is a Gator at the University of Florida where she  is pursuing a career in healthcare. 

About Florida Power & Light Company 

Florida Power & Light Company is the largest energy company in the United States as  measured by retail electricity produced and sold, serving more than 5.1 million customer accounts or an estimated 10 million+ people across the state of Florida. FPL’s typical 1,000- kWh residential customer bill is approximately 30% lower than the latest national  average and among the lowest in the U.S. FPL’s service reliability is better than  99.98%, and its highly fuel-efficient power plant fleet is one of the cleanest among all  electric companies nationwide.

The company was recognized in 2019 as one of the  most trusted U.S. electric utilities by Escalent for the sixth consecutive year. A leading  Florida employer with approximately 8,900 employees, FPL is a subsidiary of Juno  Beach, Florida-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE), a clean energy company  widely recognized for its efforts in sustainability, ethics and diversity, and has been  ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry in Fortune’s 2020 list of “World’s  Most Admired Companies.” NextEra Energy is also the parent company of Gulf Power  Company, which serves more than 470,000 customers in eight counties throughout  northwest Florida, and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its  affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and  sun and a world leader in battery storage. For more information about NextEra Energy  companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.GulfPower.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

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 The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) today announced its eighth cohort of HBCU Scholars. This program recognizes 86 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement and much more.

Currently enrolled at 54 of our nation’s HBCUs, the scholars were selected from an applicant pool of over 200 students who submitted completed applications that included a transcript, resume, essay, and letter of recommendation. Applications also required the signature of their university president, adding a level of prestige to this application process.

“The HBCU Scholars announced today all have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The students who hold this honor are committed to creating a more just and equitable society through their civic engagement. They are leaders and change-makers in their communities, and I cannot wait to learn from them as they serve as ambassadors both for the White House Initiative and their institutions of higher education.”

“As President of the State of Florida’s first Historically Black College or University I am exceedingly pleased to support the tremendous work of the Initiative in its most recent selection and recognition of the nation’s highest achieving scholar students from across our 105 historic institutions,” said Edward Waters University President and CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison Jr. “The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholars Program’s longstanding commitment and emphasis upon platforming the very best and brightest amongst our students and showcasing their exceptional high scholarship and demonstrable leadership on a national stage speaks directly not only to the continuing contemporaneous relevance of HBCUs but equally underscores the uncontroverted depth of extraordinary talent that our institutions continue to produce and possess.”

Over the course of an academic school year, the HBCU Scholars selected through this program will serve as ambassadors of the Initiative and their respected institution. The Initiative will provide scholars with information about the value of education as well as networking opportunities. Scholars can also share these resources with their fellow students.

Through their relationships with community-based organizations, and public and private partners, all of which are gained through this recognition, scholars will also share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to achieve their educational and career potential.

This cohort of HBCU Scholars will also participate in national and regional events and monthly classes with Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program coordinator, Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range of disciplines. All HBCU Scholar events are designed to connect HBCU students with non-profit, business, and federal leaders to discuss professional development while identifying challenges and providing equitable solutions to barriers that HBCU students face when preparing and entering the 21st century workforce.

“Supporting the next generation of student leaders who will continue their education and graduate from HBCUs has been the highlight and joy of my career with the Initiative” says Elyse Jones, HBCU Scholar Program Coordinator. “It is my honor to announce these 86 students who will continue to make meaningful contributions to our country. Each student selected into this program has demonstrated their commitment to their academic achievements and improving their communities. I look forward to working with them as partners I can’t wait to see what they will do as leaders.”

Selected HBCU Scholars will be invited to the 2021 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, which will take place Sept. 7-10, 2021. This year’s conference theme is “Exploring Equity.” During their time at the conference, they will participate in sessions about entrepreneurship, innovation, and personal and professional development. Most importantly, they will also have opportunities to engage with one another and showcase their individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.

More information about the HBCU Scholars’ activities will be provided in the coming months as they serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

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(Courtesy Photo/Flyer)

(Black PR Wire) – Actor, stand-up comedian and game show host Cedric The Entertainer, actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (“The Steve Harvey Show”), television host and author Shaun Robinson and actress Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is The New Black”) join the list of stellar celebrities who’ll be empowering and inspiring Black high school students during their one-of- a-kind Rites Of Passage celebration. The virtual graduation will take place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at 4 p.m. Pacific Standard Time (PST).  The event will laud Black students’ excellence while celebrating Black pride, unity, and diversity.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Urban League and the Black College Expo, the “2021 Black High School Graduation: Rites of Passage” will showcase academic achievers and obstacle-overcomers who are “stars” of the Black community. Students nationwide will share their high school achievements and receive financial awards during this virtual ceremony. Registered guests will even have a chance to interact with other guests from their city or high school on the state-of-the-art Hopin platform during the 30-minute pre-show program. 

The highly anticipated once-in-a-lifetime, grassroots-oriented Black high school graduation will celebrate the 2021 graduates giving them the opportunity to enjoy an extraordinary celebration of their achievements during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “2021 Black High School Graduation: Rites of Passage” will feature a unique virtual experience for all the high school graduates who register to participate – along with their families, friends and community. The 90-minute event recognizes the diversity of Black experience and richness of Black talent. The nationwide event will also celebrate and financially reward students for their accomplishments, aspirations and academic excellence. Allies of the Black community are welcomed to take part in the celebration and enjoy a variety of performances and uplifting messages.

Highlights of the virtual “2021 Black High School Graduation” will include musical performances by well-known celebrities and up-and-coming young talent, Deejays from around the country who will keep the party going, academic awards presentations, student recognitions, and real talk about the world that Black 2021 graduates are about to enter.

Visit www.blackgrad.net  to register for this event.

About the Black College Expo

Black College Expo™ (BCE) is a trademark program of National College Resources Foundation (NCRF), a 501c3 non-profit organization that functions daily as a full-service student outreach program in various schools throughout California. BCE was founded in 1999 by Dr. Theresa Price as a vital link between minorities and college admissions. NCRF’s mission is to curtail high school dropout rate and increase degree and/or certificate enrollment among underserved and underrepresented students by providing them with social emotional and mentoring support to access to college, careers and beyond. BCE has helped over 500,000 students get into college, and helped students connect with over 1 billion dollars in scholarships and grants for students to attend college. Follow and visit BCE at www.ncrfoundation.org.

About Los Angeles Urban League

Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) serves, educates and empowers African Americans and other minorities to secure economic self-reliance and civil rights by providing targeted social programs and advocating for issues that benefit our communities. The Los Angeles Urban League, founded in 1921, is a flagship affiliate of the National Urban League, founded in New York City in 1910. It is one of about 90 affiliates in the United States. The Los Angeles Urban League helps thousands of Angelenos annually through its programs focusing on education, entrepreneurship, job training and placement.
Visit and follow Los Angeles Urban League at www.laul.org. (323) 299-9660 ext. 3748.

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Rhys Richard’s mother, Astrya Richard, who spent her career in education, and his father, Hillary Richard Jr., deeply support their son’s journey to one day teach the next generation of students.

(Black PR Wire) — For more than 100 years, teaching has run through Hillary-Rhys Richard’s family.

Growing up in Katy, Texas, Rhys, as he’s known to his friends, listened to his mother, Astrya Richard, tell stories of her ancestors — four generations of educators who saw teaching as a calling, and learning as a tool for change.

By the end of high school, Rhys had never had a Black male teacher, and that absence, along with his family’s deep connection to education, helped steer him to follow in their footsteps.

This week, Rhys, 18, will complete his freshman year remotely as part of the inaugural class of the African American Male Teacher Initiative at Huston-Tillotson University. The first-of-its-kind program was created in partnership with Apple as part of the company’s ongoing and deep commitment to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Apple’s multiyear partnership with Huston-Tillotson complements other engagements the company has established through its Racial Equity and Justice Initiative, working alongside the HBCU community to develop curricula and provide new learning and workforce opportunities.

At Huston-Tillotson, Apple is providing scholarships for the program’s students, called Pre-Ed Scholars, as well as hardware, software, and professional-development courses for students and faculty.

Using FaceTime, Rhys Richard chats with his music professor, Dr. Samuel Rowley, as part of his coursework at Huston-Tillotson University.

“Every student should have the chance to be taught by someone who represents them,” Rhys wrote in his application essay to Huston-Tillotson. “In order to build strong children, we need strong male teachers to forge a path through being the example for students. The baton has to be passed for us to continue pushing forward. I stand ready to run my leg of the race.

Currently, only 2 percent of all U.S. teachers are Black men, something the program at Huston-Tillotson seeks to change. When Black students are taught by a Black teacher, they are significantly more likely to graduate high school and consider attending college.

Huston-Tillotson President Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette has witnessed the power of that relationship firsthand. Her son had a Black male teacher in the fifth grade, and it transformed his education.

“It just really did something magical for him,” says Dr. Burnette. “So this is personal for me because of my own experience raising an African American male. It’s my mission to be able to get these young Black men in classrooms, so they can pour into other vessels like themselves because they have shared experiences. And there’s nothing like being taught by someone who has a shared experience.”

It’s the reason Dr. Burnette prioritized the creation of the African American Male Teacher Initiative, and sought out a partner in Apple.

“There’s an African proverb: ‘If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,’” says Dr. Burnette. “So to have a partner like Apple that is best in class for innovation and its commitment to excellence — it’s a natural match. We’re investing in a mission with education as the great equalizer and giving people opportunities to be the best they can be.”

Rhys Richard plays four instruments and one day aspires to teach music.

When Rhys graduates from the program, he’s going to teach music. He currently plays four instruments, including the tuba, which is his favorite. His freshman music classes are taught by Dr. Samuel Rowley, who is Rhys’s first Black male teacher.

“He’s very positive,” says Rhys. “And he’s a perfectionist with his work, which is sort of like me. So I see myself in him.”

Dr. Rowley’s life was also changed by his first Black male teacher, his high school band director.

“He left a tremendous impact,” says Dr. Rowley. “We all wanted to be music teachers just like him.”

Dr. Rowley uses Clips and GarageBand on iPad in his music classes, which are all taught remotely because of the pandemic.

“If it would not have been for Apple products, I would not have been able to connect with my students all around the country,” says Dr. Rowley, who is a recognized Apple Teacher after completing professional learning courses offered through the free online Apple Teacher Learning Center. He’s guiding Rhys and his fellow Pre-Ed Scholars through the courses as well, so they will also be recognized Apple Teachers when they graduate.

“I’m really excited about learning more about Apple technology with the Apple Teacher program,” says Rhys. “Especially now that I’ve been introduced to GarageBand, I want to learn more about how I can incorporate it into my classes when I’m a teacher.”

That passion for sharing knowledge is something that Rhys’s mother has seen for many years.

“The way he loves music, it will make anyone love music,” says Astrya, an assistant principal who taught for many years. “And I just picture him having that type of impact on kids. I think he’s going to be an outstanding educator.”

Rhys’s application essay to Huston-Tillotson closed with a commitment to the generations of students he will undoubtedly go on to inspire

“I look forward to creating a place of open learning where ideas are exchanged and experiences are shared,” wrote Rhys. “I want to be the teacher I never had, the teacher every student deserves. And it all begins here.”

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By Black PR Wire

(Black PR Wire) KOKOMA, IN. — With the help of FBI and Kokomo Police, the family of Yarieah Nikole Bowens have continued their search for the missing 7-year-old. Yarieah is suspected to be with mother Vannetta Haney and stepfather Jermaine A. Haney. Both adults are currently wanted for by the Indiana courts for parental kidnapping. 

Yarieah was last seen March 27, 2021, in Pocahontas, Illinois. Yarieah’s father Derrrick Bowens had dropped Yarieah off with her mother Vannetta Haney as per the terms of their custody agreement.  Unfortunately, Yarieah was never returned to her father. It is suspected that the mother fled with Yarieah and husband Jermaine A. Haney.  

Haney has had issues with the law before. In September of 2019 Jermaine A. Haney was sentenced to four years in the department of corrections for failing to adhere to the terms of conditions of his probation. This probation was issued for a guilty plea to domestic assault in the third degree. Said domestic assault was against Yarieah and mother Vannetta Haney. 

Family of the 7-year-old are understandably concerned as the stepfather has been violent towards her in the past. “We just want our angel returned home safe,” says Kareema Ali-Bowens, great aunt of the missing child. The FBI have gotten involved in the missing child case and continue to search for Yarieah.

If you have seen or know the whereabouts of Yarieah Nikole Bowens, Vannetta Haney or Jermaine A. Haney please contact the Kokomo Indiana Sheriff  Department at Tip Line: 765.614.3372

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(Black PR Wire) — After the eye-opening events of 2020 spurring civil unrest and movement comparable to that of the 1960s, learning and celebrating Black History has never been more important. Realizing that the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic indirectly created a new space for virtual learning, Shy Averett, the Global Sr. Community Program and Events Manager for Microsoft, created The Legacy Project. This virtual and digital initiative strives to lead the world in re-envisioning Black History’s narrative to shine a bright light on the outstanding accomplishments that African Americans have made in the past but are continuing to make right now. The Legacy Project virtual museum is the first of its kind that honors 30 African Americans who have made history during the last century and the last few years. Some of the change agents include; Victor Glover, NASA astronaut, Nikole Hannah-Jones (1619 Project), Cynthia Marshall (first Black female CEO, NBA), and Jason Wright (first African American president of an NFL team), to name a few. 

Spearheading the project with the tech power and influence of Microsoft behind her, Shy managed to create an exhibit that’s the first of its kind, capable of highlighting and virtually transporting 13 of the world’s top Black History Museum exhibits into every student’s home or classroom across North America. This partnership with museums, historical landmarks, cultural centers, athletes, and civic influencers worldwide includes a month-long series of FREE immersive and interactive experiences for K-12 schools and their communities to celebrate and learn how extensive and rich Black History and culture truly is. Following Black History Month, the Legacy Project will remain up. 

“Black History month is a time for us to emphasize the rich heritage and culture of black people as well as spotlight historical events and figures in the black community, but it doesn’t have to stop there. The goal is to create something that will last forever, showing Black History lives every day. We plan on building on it, expanding it. I’m already talking to a designer about further development, so any student, even if they don’t get to look at it now, if it’s a month from now or even if it’s December, will have this resource”, says Shy when asked whether or not the exhibit will only be available for Black History Month. 

With an interface designed to be user-friendly, Shy’s vision for the Legacy Project is an educational initiative for all ages, reminding users that Black History shouldn’t just be celebrated in February but all year long. Between 4,289 classes, schools, and organizations, the project has already amassed almost half a million users that will get to experience the struggle for life and liberty for all at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights while safely at home in front of their devices, as well as reading sessions of inspirational children’s stories about Black History like Hidden Figures & Let the Children March, with books read aloud by some of our favorite NBA and NFL players for K-2nd graders. 

Other key activities highlighted within the project experience include:

-Walking with MLK virtually & fighting for civil rights in the Selma-to-Montgomery Marches of 1965

Stepping back into the Civil Rights Era to witness the struggle for life and liberty for all at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

-Learning about policies that impacted Black communities & Muhammad Ali’s fight against systemic racism at the Ali Center’s “Truth Be Told” exhibit.

-Flying through the eyes of WWII’s Tuskegee Airmen, the first Black military aviators in the US Army Air Corps at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

-Hitting a home run with Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum

-Retracing Slavery from Enslavement to Emancipation – Ft. Monroe, Whitney Plantation, and Milton House – Tour Fort Monroe where the first Africans entered the country, explore the Whitney Plantation and see how Slaves lived & walk through the Milton House’s secret passageways of the Underground Railroad

-Exploring the legacy of the African Americans in the US military at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

-Traveling back in time with a fireside chat with Freedom Rider Hezekiah Watkins to protest social injustice and racial inequality and tour the Freedom Rides Museum

-Taking a virtual scavenger hunt through George Washington Carver’s most noted inventions at the Carver Museum

-Celebrating today’s groundbreaking African American changemakers who are leading the world right now at Microsoft’s Current Day Black History Museum

-Listening to and learning about the origins of Black music and the music of the Civil Rights Movement with the GRAMMY Museum and many more.

Link to The Legacy Project: Www.aka.ms/BHM-legacy virtual museum.

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(Black PR Wire) — The Alfred Street Baptist Church Foundation is partnering with Google Cloud in presenting the ASBC Foundation’s 19th annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Festival, taking place virtually for the first time on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. 

For nearly two decades, the ASBC Foundation’s signature event has enabled more than 50,000 Black youth – many of whom are first-generation college students – to directly connect with the nation’s iconic HBCUs, while also providing a wealth of vital information about the college admissions process, financial aid, academic disciplines, and the vibrant cultural aspects of Black college life. 

The 2020 ASBC Foundation HBCU Festival welcomed 10,000 prospective students and their families, produced 1,766 offers of admission to high school seniors, and awarded more than $5.4 million in scholarships – and 2021 is poised to be even bigger. As title sponsor, Google Cloud will provide funding support, and technology infrastructure for the festival.  

A majority of the 70+ HBCUs participating in the 2021 Festival will conduct on-site interviews and offer instant admission virtually, and many schools will waive application fees. There is no cost to attend and/or register for this year’s Festival.  Since the Festival’s inception, participating HBCUs have awarded more than $40 million in the form of academic scholarships and/or waived fees. 

“We are overjoyed that Google Cloud is partnering with us for the first time as our title sponsor. Google Cloud is committed to HBCUs, higher education for our Black youth as well as diversity, which is why they decided to support this rewarding event,” says the Rev. Dr. Howard-John Wesley, ASBC’s senior pastor. 

“Partnering with Google Cloud will allow us to reach and impact the lives of so many Black families and their college-bound students,” adds ASBC Foundation president Pat Wallace.

“Google Cloud provides organizations with infrastructure, platform capabilities and industry solutions, delivering cloud solutions that use Google’s cutting-edge technology to help organizations operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs. Customers in more than 150 countries turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to solve their most critical business problems, including a majority of HBCUs who use Google Workspace for the communications and collaboration needs of teachers, students, staff and others.”   

“We are proud to sponsor the ASBC Foundation HBCU Festival which includes many of our HBCU customers of Google Workspace,” said Steven Butschi, head of education for Google Cloud. “We are always honored to assist HBCUs in solving challenges through our technology solutions, or by facilitating the recruitment of our country’s finest students for these outstanding colleges and universities.”

For more information about the 2021 ASBC Foundation HBCU Festival, please visit alfredstreet.org.

This initiative builds on the company’s ongoing investments in HBCU students. Since 2013, the Google in Residence program has placed Goolge software engineers at HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) as faculty. The company also hosts Tech Exchange, a virtual student exchange program that teaches HBCU and HSU students applied computer science programs. Google has also launched exploreCSR, Computer Science Summer Institute for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (CSSI-HBCU), and Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program. 

Alfred Street Baptist Church, which was established in 1803, will celebrate its 218th anniversary in November and is home to one of the oldest African American congregations in the nation. Since inception, it has served as a prominent religious, educational, and cultural organization in the Northern Virginia community.

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(Black PR Wire) — BET+ announces “TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY” will launch exclusively on the platform Aug. 27. In Tyler Perry’s final stage run as Madea, he pulls together some of his audience’s favorite characters for a family gathering. Madea, Mr. Brown, Cora, and Aunt Bam are all under one roof for over two hours of pure joy. Madea is in rare form, as she tries to be a support for her great-grandchildren, and daughter Cora. While at her granddaughter’s home, Madea uses her combination of tough love and old southern wisdom to help the family navigate their new normal. All seems fine until Mr. Brown takes a trip that leaves audiences in stitches. As always, Perry’s blend of incredible music and laugh out loud moments make “Madea’s Farewell Play” great food for the soul.

Madea’s Farewell Play will launch exclusively on BET+ on Aug. 27. (Courtesy Promo Photo)

“Tyler Perry’s Madea burst onto the scene and entered our hearts over 20 years ago and we are honored to share this final stage performance with BET+ subscribers,” said Devin Griffin, general manager, BET+. “Now, more than ever, is the time to celebrate family and unity and ‘TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY’ does just that.”

Madea, the gun-toting matriarch drives a couple of hours to a rural town in Georgia to be with her loving family. Madea’s great-grandson is graduating law school, and the entire family is gathering to celebrate the occasion. The family is in need of a happy time after Darlene has gone through a bitter divorce, leaving her financially and emotionally drained. The entire family has pitched in to help Darlene, and her son, Malik as he has barely paid his tuition bills. The graduation party is off to a joyous start until Darlene’s ex-husband shows up uninvited. Sparks immediately begin to fly, as Madea in the fashion of life coach, Iyanla, begins to fix everyone’s life.

“TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY” stars Tyler Perry as Madea, Cassi Davis as Betty Ann “Aunt Bam” Murphy, David Mann as Leroy Brown, Tamela Mann as Cora Jean Simmons-Brown, Kwaylon Rogers (BlameitonKway) as Tiffany “TiTi” Samuels, Alexis Hollins as Darlene Samuels, Anthony Lewis as Devin, Jacobi Brown as Malik Samuels, Ashlee B. Gillum as Robin, Walter H. Fauntleroy as Omar, RaVaughn Brown as Sylvia and Kendrick Mays as William Samuels.

“TYLER PERRY’S MADEA’S FAREWELL PLAY” is executive produced, directed, and written by Tyler Perry. Michelle Sneed and Mark Swinton will also serve as executive producers for Tyler Perry Studios.

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(Black PR Wire) — As our country faces both a global pandemic and racial unrest, the importance of the Black Church as a catalyst for social change has never been greater. A new guide from the Humanitarian Disaster Institute (HDI) at Wheaton College, created in partnership with Healthcare Ready and World Impact, provides a practical and Biblical resource to support the ministry of Black churches speaking and acting against racism while also protecting health. The 16-page guide, titled

“The Black Church in Action Against Racism and COVID-19: A Practical and Biblical Guide to Prophetic Ministry While Protecting Health,” is available to download free at https://www.reopeningthechurch.com/churchinactionmanualdownload.

(By Darryl Brooks_Shutterstock)

“Faith communities desire to reflect the God of justice in this moment of racial unrest through protesting, advocacy, and civic engagement. Our prayer is that this guide enables them to engage in this important Gospel work safely,” said Theon Hill, Ph.D., associate professor of communication at Wheaton College and lead author on the new guide.

To encourage Black churches taking action against racism, the guide offers practical ways for leaders to respond to systemic vulnerabilities, become collective agents of change, develop productive partnerships, and not get weary in well-doing while also protecting health during COVID-19.

The guide was born out of a webinar HDI hosted in partnership with the National Association of Evangelicals on June 5, 2020 on the topic of “Race, Church, and Response in Crisis,” featuring Dr. Hill along with guide co-authors Nicolette Louissaint, Ph.D., (executive director of Healthcare Ready), Alvin Sanders, Ph.D., (president and CEO of World Impact), and Marcus Coleman, M.P.A. (advisory board member for the Diversity in National Security Network and the Institute for Diversity and Inclusion in Emergency Management and former acting deputy director of the Center for Faith & Opportunity Initiatives at the Department of Homeland Security) in conversation on the intersections of racism, systemic inequity, COVID-19 and the church. HDI Founder and Executive Director Jamie Aten, Ph.D., and HDI Director of Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership Kent Annan, M.Div., joined them in creating this guide out of that conversation.

For more information or to download and share the free resource, visit www.reopeningthechurch.com.

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(Black PR Wire) – Keys to Black Wealth Virtual Summit will kick off their first-ever virtual summit to celebrate Juneteenth, also known as FREEDOM DAY to commemorate the emancipation of slavery which took place June 19, 1865. This three-day virtual summit taking place June 19-21, 2020 was created by Keys to Black Wealth co-founders David DeBerry II, Brandy N. Avery, Lemar Pughsley, and Frank Cage. 

The summit will feature ​some of the most dynamic culturally and socially impactful entrepreneurs of our generation. The keynote speakers are artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and actor Master P, Romeo Miller, Shaun Ross, Ray J, Willie Norwood, LisaRaye McCoy, Omarosa, DJ Dimepiece, and 30+ additional world-renowned individuals from various industries. The speakers will be providing the keys to closing the racial wealth gap and creating generational wealth. In light of the recent racial pandemic, this summit comes right on time to support the black community in understanding the importance of wealth building.

This power-packed, three day weekend is full of life-changing information that features speed networking, a virtual expo, group sessions, workshops, and a virtual party. Attendees will enjoy topics such as real estate, digital assets, social media marketing, credit leveraging, investments, raising capital, policy and law, business ownership, and so much more.

Collectively, the co-founders stated: “A lot of times financial education can seem boring, so we wanted to spice it up a little bit and bring what we call an ‘edutainment’ concept so people can have a good time but they can learn at the same time. As black people, we have long term problems that we’ve been battling as a community for so long. We’re still trying to fight through some of those stigmas that we’ve been fighting dating all the way back through slavery. So we need to have these conversations because they’re important for our future sustainability.”

This is the collective’s first global virtual event with tens of thousands of expected attendees and the opportunity to #BuyBlack from a number of different Black-owned businesses. Tickets to this virtual summit start at $30. Although this is the first virtual summit, the co-founders of Keys To Black Wealth have had many successful events throughout their inception and look forward to growing their digital footprint.

For a full list of speakers and to purchase tickets, visit  www.keystoblackwealthsummit.com. To stay connected on social media, make sure to follow @KeysToBlackWealth.

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(Black PR Wire) — Since April, when the $2 trillion COVID-19 Stimulus Bill was passed and the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) began to address COVID-19’s financial hits, the first study to look at the novel coronavirus’ impact on Black and Latinx business owners, conducted by the Color Of Change and UnidosUS, found that 45 percent of these businesses will have to close by the end of the year, and only one in 10 reported that they had received funding.

Responding to the lack of federal help for entrepreneurs of color, former National Basketball Association (NBA) all-star Magic Johnson and Rafael Martinez, majority owner of the asset-based lender MBE Capital Partners, announced they will provide $100 million in loans, on MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation with Al Sharpton,” on May 17.

Former National Basketball Association (NBA) all-star Magic Johnson.

“I built my business in urban America, in the inner city and I was once one of those small business owners. So, I know how important it is to keep those employees working, keep those Black and Brown people working in those small businesses in our community,” Johnson told Sharpton. “And we can’t afford to let these people lose their businesses who have been working so hard to build their business and we want to help them grow their business and have scale, because that’s what’s important. Because if they get scale, then they can hire more people and the more people working the better for our community; because we know how high unemployment is in our community and this virus really affected our community in two different ways—health-wise as well as financial wise.”

The Federal Stimulus Survey Findings study, conducted from April 30 to May 12, showed that Black and Latinx business owners are indeed worried about the issues that Johnson mentioned. These concerns include not receiving federal assistance to prevent layoffs, being unable to suspend foreclosures until the crisis ends, attaining financial assistance to help them pay salaries and other business expenses and putting a pause on negative credit hits.

Upon recognizing that the PPP left many small business owners of color out in the cold, Martinez told Sharpton that when he and Johnson decided to fill the federal financial void, they did so in a week. “We want to make sure that everybody understands this is a call to action. This money is not going to wait for anybody. So, it’s there, we’re doing our job, and there’s a lot more to be done,” Martinez said. “Our goal with Magic and the teams is really to reach 100,000 businesses. So, we need action yesterday, not tomorrow or next week. Nobody is going to wait for us.” 

To watch the interview and announcement, visit PoliticsNation/MSNBC. Learn more about the loans at the National Action Network.

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