New Orleans To Unite For Funeral Of Civil Rights Icon Tessie Prevost Williams
A casket lying in state will precede funeral services, followed by a final salute for the civil rights icon at the New Orleans TEP Center.
Funeral services for New Orleans civil rights leader Tessie Prevost Williams will take place Saturday, July 27, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Branch Bell Baptist Church.
The civil rights icon’s funeral in New Orleans will be preceded by her casket lying in state at Gallier Hall on Friday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. A jazz brass band will lead the funeral procession, culminating in a final salute at the Tate, Etienne and Prevost Civil Rights Interpretive Center.
On November 14, 1960, Prevost Williams and her classmates, 6-year-olds Leona Tate and Gail Etienne, faced jeering crowds as they entered McDonogh No. 19 Elementary School. “It’s an experience that I had with her that I will never ever forget,” Etienne told WWL-TV. “I’m truly going to miss her.”
“My daddy told me in the car, he said, ‘Look straight ahead, take my hand, and I’m here.’ And I wasn’t afraid,” she told CBS News. “For some reason, I just wasn’t afraid. I felt protected with my daddy.”
The girls endured isolation and constant police protection in their covered window classroom after white parents withdrew their children. In recent years, Prevost Williams and Etienne established the New Orleans Four Legacy Collection to preserve their historic role.
Congressman Troy A. Carter commemorated her life, saying “her courage and profound impact on New Orleans and our nation will never be forgotten.”
Prevost Williams dedicated her life to equality. In 2022, she participated in the opening of the TEP Center, celebrating the former McDonogh 19 Elementary School building’s new role as a community hub and living museum of civil rights history. Her death follows the New Orleans 4’s recent honor in Washington, D.C., commemorating the 70th anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education.
Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew, CEO of Root Branch Media Group, acquired an entire block in Baltimore.
Root Branch Media Group’s CEO, Dr. Vonnya Pettigrew has acquired an entire block in Baltimore to house her media hub in one building. Pettigrew’s landmark purchase establishes her as the first African-American woman in Maryland to own a waterfront block.
The 14,400-square-foot building housing RBMG’s expansive operations, formerly owned by Barcoding, Inc., spans the length of a full block in Canton Harbor. According to The Baltimore Times, Pettigrew, a University of Maryland College Park alumna, owns all four sides of the commercial building. She financed this media hub, known as “The Root Branch Multiverse,” through the Reinvestment Fund without external investors or grants.
Under the RBMG umbrella, the building houses multiple entities, including the award-winning media production firm, a soon-to-open coffee shop (Root Branch Press Coffee & Co.), a property management company (Root Branch Office Solutions), and a nonprofit supporting education and training initiatives (Root Branch Arts and Outreach Institute Inc.).
RBMG’s website describes the media hub as a “100% African-American owned, certified woman-owned full-service media production firm.” Since 2006, the media company has offered a wide array of services, from video production and creative development to motion graphics and web design. RBMG’s mission targets students of color and through its notable Film Academy, has committed to giving them “the voice they deserve and the chance to use media in a meaningful way that rewrites the narrative of how they are seen in and depicted by the media.”
Pettigrew brings 27 years of media experience to this venture, with a background spanning filmmaking, TV production, directing, and casting. Her work has been featured on networks like Discovery and TV One; clients also include government agencies and corporations. The former White House intern is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, National Association of Black Journalists, Baltimore Association of Black Journalists, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, and the National Association of Women Business Owners DC.
The Root Branch Media Group building is named after Pettigrew’s family property in South Carolina.
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, Turn-Up For National Tequila Day With These Black-Owned Brands
Happy Tequila day, Black people! Drink responsibly!
Originally Published July 24, 2023
Thanks to the internet, celebratory days have become quite visible. You can google any day of the year just about and come up with some interesting and obscure event. Take today for example: If you didn’t know July 24 is International Tequila Day.
To aid with the spirited festivities, BLACK ENTERPRISE is highlighting a few Black-owned tequila brands to get International Tequila Day popping.
TCapri was founded by Tiffany Hainesworth in 2019. Tiffany is the first Black woman to own a tequila company, and she did the work by learning to make it from the plant to bottle. This tequila is rumored to be smooth, ultra Premium, hand-crafted, and made in small batches.
Los Hermanos 1978 was invented by two brothers, William and Donta Henson, hence the name. Los Hermanos 1978 is the first Black- and veteran-owned tequila company and launched 2021. This tequila was concocted to celebrate brotherhood and the spirit of togetherness.
Anteel was founded by Nayana Ferguson and her husband, Don, in 2018, and is based out of Detroit. Nayana Ferguson, a pancreatic and breast cancer survivor, is passionate about tequila because it’s one of the spirits she can drink because of the low sugar, carbs and calories. This tequila has a signature coconut lime blanco.
E. Cuanrenta was founded in 2018 by Earl Stevens, also known as ya boy E-40. The platinum recording artist and record label owner is a huge fan of tequila, and get this nugget—E.Cuarenta is his stage name, E40, in Spanish. This tequila is made with an old world style of crafting. Go dumb on E.Cuarenta tequila.
Shadow Tequila was founded this year by Teddy Jasper, the CEO of the company, and his sister Tiara, who serves as president. This spirit brand offers bold flavors for each profile.
Happy Tequila day, Black people! Drink responsibly!
Man Arrested For Threatening To Kill Former Boss Over $75 Paycheck Discrepancy
Florida man Tito Evan-Lloyd was arrested over a dispute with his paycheck.
A man from Florida was arrested earlier this week after local police officers said that he threatened to kill his former employer over a paycheck he received that didn’t match what he thought he should have received.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced that 39-year-old Tito Evan-Lloyd was arrested after he threatened a former manager at his former place of employment. While he was there disputing the amount he was owed, which was supposedly a $75 discrepancy, he allegedly pulled out a concealed gun on the manager and also threatened to kill everyone at the place.
Police officers from the HCSO responded to a call they received at around 10:30 a.m. on July 22. Evan-Lloyd had already left the scene by the time the deputies arrived at the destination on Eagle Falls Place. The police officers left to pursue the suspect and found Evan-Lloyd at a Royal Palm Empress Drive residence in Ruskin, Florida. He was eventually detained and apprehended as police officers took him to the police station to charge him with several crimes.
He is facing multiple charges, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. The charges include Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Felon Carrying a Concealed Weapon, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
“It is shocking that someone would resort to such extreme measures over a $75 matter. Violence and intimidation have no place in Hillsborough County,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister in a written statement. “The suspect’s actions were a serious threat to public safety, and our deputies did an outstanding job in bringing him into custody quickly.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also announced the arrest and released his mugshot on the department’s Facebook page.
Authorities have stated that the investigation is ongoing and any updates would come through the department’s Public Affairs Office.
Take The Road Less Traveled On Your Summer Road Trip
Originally Posted Jul. 13, 2015.
Windows down, radio up, a cooler full of snacks and your best friends in the passenger seats — makes for an unforgettable summer road trip. But beyond cruising down the highways, enjoying your favorite songs, and trading secrets amongst friends, you’ll have the flexibility to stop and discover some of the best-hidden hot spots across the United States.
Here is a list of four itineraries to try this summer:
Tennessee Head to Chattanooga
If you’re in the mood for Southern-style cool. Check out the chic Bluff View Art District‘s cafes, historic buildings, and galleries. Warehouse Row has recently become a haven for shopping, dining, and strolling.
Route to take: It’s about 130 miles (or a two-and-a-half hour drive) southeast of Nashville. You can zip down I-24. If you’ve got a boat, you can make a grand entrance via the Tennessee River.
Good to know:Bluff View Inn has beautifully appointed rooms in three restored turn-of-the-century homes. There’s a free shuttle line to help you get around the district.
Arizona Head to Holbrook
If you’re in the mood for time travel and extreme landscapes infused with extreme kitsch.
Route to take: Tour Route 66 between Albuquerque and Flagstaff, the longest remaining stretch of the historic highway uninterrupted by a major interstate. The landmark Wigwam Motel is cozy and an hour away from the Petrified Forest and the Painted Desert.
Good to know: Sneaky javelina, everywhere in the desert, are opportunistic feeders.
Head to Paradise Valley
If you’re in the mood for a divine spa escape with endless views of the desert.
Route to take: It’s less than half-an-hour by car from the center of Phoenix.
Good to know: Reserve a casita at Sanctuary at Camelback Mountain. Seven spectacular mountainside homes, complete with games rooms, secluded pools, and guest houses are available to those looking for the ultimate private experience. Indulge in a variety of Asian-inspired treatments, take fitness classes amid a glorious red-rock landscape, or enjoy haute cuisine at the restaurant Elements.
South Carolina Head to Charleston
If you’re in the mood for a culinary hotbed in the prettiest Southern town. Drop off your bags at historic Planters Inn, or John Rutledge House Inn.
Route to take: After your city fix, drive for an hour to Kiawah Island, a stunning nature preserve.
If you’re in the mood for a historic, laid-back beach town with an artists’ colony vibe.
Route to take: I-95 to the Jacksonville Beaches, then scenic A1A down the coast.
Good to know: Grab lunch at the famous Columbia Restaurant, and shop for ceramics at Market to Market on historic St. George Street. Casa Monica Hotel is right in the center of the action, and those trolley tours are worth a spin, too.
Black Businesses Supported During Pandemic Helped Wells Fargo Create Current $2.1B Economic Impact Nationwide
The ripple effect occurred as businesses leveraged their funding to garner public and private investment.
In a major new development spurred largely by Black businesses, a fund launched by Wells Fargo during the pandemic has produced a total economic impact of $2.1 billion nationwide, according to a fresh analysis.
That impact stems from the ripple effect of the roughly $420 million Open for Business Fund, the San Francisco-based banking and financial services giant launched during the peak of COVID-19 around four years ago. The funding empowered over 200 nonprofits nationwide to deliver urgent capital and expertise to thousands of local businesses hardest hit by the pandemic.
Starting in 2020, grantees report the OBF has now benefited over 336,000 small businesses. It purportedly has helped them keep or create more than 461,000 jobs in U.S. communities.
Nearly 80% of the funds went to racially or ethnically diverse-owned firms, 72% to low-or-moderate income firms, and 53% to women-owned businesses.
The analysis comes after Wells Fargo was criticized and hit with hefty fines for its home lending practices in recent years. The bank has also been a large contributor to helping individuals and businesses in the Black community.
Its Open for Business Fund uplifted small businesses through grants, loans, and community group training. It was cited that most supported businesses had under $1 million in revenue and ten or fewer employees.
The ripple effect occurred as businesses leveraged their funding to garner public and private investment. Some Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) created new kinds of loans, while other grantees restructured existing small business debt to help customers gain new growth opportunities.
The bank proclaimed that reaching small business owners who often wrestle to access capital and expertise was a priority for the program to preserve livelihoods and the small business ecosystem.
The report also revealed another intriguing narrative: Diverse and lower-income businesses typically are not viewed as job creators or wealth generators, but the analysis showed otherwise.
Darlene Goins, head of Philanthropy and Community Impact for Wells Fargo, shared by email what OFB did to take Black-owned businesses to the next level. She says the firm helped companies stay open, keep jobs and grow.
Goins maintains the fund worked with community organizations to deploy capital, expertise and asset ownership strategies for small business owners, including helping those firms buy property or equipment. She added that providing technical assistance was vital as well. Small business owners sought guidance on applying for loans, accessing federal and state funding, pivoting their business, or upgrading to an online service model.
Julius “Eddie” Lofton, the owner of JC Lofton Tailors in Washington, D.C., reflected on how the fund helped his Black-owned business. Per Wells Fargo, he is a seasoned tailor running a family business that his grandfather started in the 1930s. Lofton got a $10,000 grant in 2020 through the Local Initiatives Support Corp (LISC). His business now has eight employees, and its storefront has since been renovated.
“At the time, we were stressed about keeping the lights on and retaining employees like family to me. When I got a $10,000 grant, it lifted a burden off me, and I knew I’d maintain my family’s legacy.“
Another business, the Chiropractic Hub in Atlanta, received a $100,000 loan from Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development rm. Co-owner Dr. Dara Geiger and co-founder Dr. Mesiha Miller run the Chiropractic Hub. The funding helped establish their business, which the entrepreneurs call “the world’s first chiropractic coworking space.”
“The funding was critical in being able to open our practice and secure the infrastructure and equipment needed to succeed,” Geiger told Wells Fargo. “Without it, opening the practice would have been considerably dela ed. Now, our vision for a coworking space where doctors can build a patient base and collaborate on patient care is a reality for the community.”
For Black entrepreneurs and aspiring small business owners, Goins says now is the time for them to engage with CDFIs and technical assistance providers like local universities and business development centers as well as some of Wells Fargo’s grantees like LISC, Ascendus or the Small Business Resource Navigator.
Goins says the fund is focused now on helping small business owners with asset ownership in five cities – Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Los Angeles and Mi mi. “Working with grantees there, our funding is enabling entrepreneurs to buy or upgrade commercial property, purchase equipment or invest in technology for growth.”
Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris Continues Fight For Reproductive Rights
Vice President Kamala Harris has started her Fight for Reproductive Freedoms tour.
Originally Published Jan. 24, 2024.
Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris toured the nation in Jan. 2024 to advocate for reproductive rights in her “Fight For Reproductive Freedoms Tour.”
Beginning the tour Jan. 22 (in Madison, Wisconsin) had a special significance for the former California Senator.
“So, today is the 51st of Roe v. Wade,” Harris said in a video. “The Supreme Court took a fundamental right for the people of America, from the women of America, a right to make decisions about their own bodies.”
Harris continued, noting the legislation enforced by conservative lawmakers that prohibited women from terminating pregnancies, even under extraneous circumstances.
“And here’s the deal: after the court took away the protections of Roe, extremists around our country proposed and passed laws that would punish women, that would criminalize doctors. There are laws on the books now that provide for prison for life, for doctors who provide the kind of healthcare that people need. And so let’s understand what’s happening. Let’s see what’s happening in terms of these extremists who are passing laws that make no exception, even for rape or incest. Let’s fight to put back into law the protections that Roe gave us.”
I am back in Wisconsin today to kick off my Fight For Reproductive Freedoms Tour on the 51st anniversary of Roe.
I am traveling our nation to make clear: @POTUS and I will never stop fighting to protect a woman’s ability to make decisions about her own body. pic.twitter.com/NJGN91knij
According to NPR, Harris’ visit to Wisconsin included her holding former president Donald Trump accountable for encouraging these new restrictions. Wisconsin had one of the harshest responses to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, essentially banning all abortion methods in a law initially written in the 19th century.
Harris will hold four additional stops in states with varied stances on abortion, including those that currently have protections in place.
As the 2024 presidential election heats up, Harris’ focus on abortion rights indicates will be a hot topic in this year’s race.
Beyond warmer temperatures and sunny skies, the summertime brings seasonal fruits and veggies to satisfy the palate. In just a few minutes, you can whip up four easy recipes below using the freshest ingredients found at your local grocery or right in your kitchen.
Fit Men Cook
One skillet and 10 minutes is all you need to make the most delicious shrimp and veggie pasta you’ve ever had. Ingredients for 2 servings:
3/4 lb raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
2 large zucchinis
4 medium colorful carrots
Sauce (season to taste with all of the ingredients except using extra oil):
Use a Julienne peeler or a mandolin to slice the zucchini and carrots, which will serve as the pasta.
Chop up some garlic and red onion which we will use to sautee our shrimp.
First, add 3 tablespoons of coconut aminos. Then, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. To give it a citrus flavor, squeeze the juice from half an orange.
Lastly, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Feel free to add more of any of these ingredients if you want a little extra flavor, except for the oil!
Set a nonstick skillet a medium high heat and spray with coconut oil.
Toss in garlic and red onion. Cook the onions until they are brown and translucent.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and stir quickly with a wooden spoon to make sure that all of the shrimp absorbs the flavor of the garlic and onions.
Once the shrimp is about 80% finished, look for just a little bit of pink color, then add the raw veggie pasta. Stir the pasta frequently to make sure that all of the pasta is getting heat from the skillet so they can soften.
Once the pasta has softened, then evenly pour the sauce throughout the skillet. You want to make sure that the pasta and shrimp absorb the awesome, light fresh flavor.
Cook for about another 3 to 4 minutes and garnish with sesame seeds.
Beauty and Body Green Smoothie
Directions:
Use a serving of your favorite protein powder, then I add 1-2 servings of broccoli (or other greens like spinach and kale), and finally 1-2 servings of plain Greek yogurt. Blend all ingredients together and in less than 5 minutes you’ve got a great tasting and healthy meal, which is actually what I have every morning for breakfast. Recipe courtesy of Dr. Phoenyx Austin, a fitness specialist and bestselling author.
Crunchy Pickled Salad
You’ll need 2 cucumbers, 2 red radishes, 1/2 white cabbage (shredded), 1/2 cup fresh minced dill, 6 tbsp white wine vinegar (or more to taste), 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, and 2 tsp salt (or more to taste). Mix all ingredients together and let chill in the fridge for about 2 hours. Then serve and enjoy! Recipe courtesy of Dr. Phoenyx Austin.
15-Minute Asian Beef Soup
You’ll need: 1 tablespoon low-sodium coconut aminos; 2 teaspoons, fresh grated ginger, 8 ounces, beef sirloin, sliced into 1-inch strips; 1 quart (or 32 ounces) of reduced-sodium beef stock; 2 large carrots, shredded or thinly chopped; 1/2 head Napa cabbage (shredded); 1 1/2 cups, sliced mushrooms; 2 cups, bean sprouts; 1 teaspoon, red pepper flakes; 1/4 cup, cilantro leaves; 3 green onions (chopped); Shirataki noodles.
For preparation, just strain the Shirataki noodles and set aside. Next, mix the coconut aminos and ginger in a medium bowl, add the beef, and let marinate. Meanwhile, bring the stock to a boil in a large pot. Once boiling, add the beef and sauce to the stock, and reduce heat to medium-high. Cook for two minutes, then add the carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms. Cook another two minutes then add red pepper flakes and bean sprouts. Cook two more minutes, then remove from heat, garnish with cilantro and green onions. Mix in Shirataki noodles right before serving. Recipe courtesy of Dr. Phoenyx Austin.
From Long Beach To Paris, Snoop Dogg Will Carry The Olympic Torch Before Opening Ceremony
Before the 'Gin & Juice' lyricist starts his commentary duties for NBC, he will be one of several torchbearers before the games start
Snoop Dogg, already primed for commentary duties for NBC for the upcoming Paris Olympics, will be one of the torchbearers before the opening ceremony taking place on July 26.
According to Reuters, the iconic hip-hop artist will be carrying the torch through the streets of Saint-Denis in Paris on the way to the Stade de France Olympic Stadium, based on a social media posting by the town’s mayor Mathieu Hanotin.
“Saint-Denis, the final stop before the Eiffel Tower! An international casting @SnoopDogg for the final journey of the Olympic flame. With a concert by @Slimaneoff as the highlight of this day, live on @FranceTV from the square in front of the Basilica.
Saint-Denis, ultime étape avant la Tour Eiffel ! Un casting international @SnoopDogg pour le dernier parcours de la flamme olympique. Avec un concert de @Slimaneoff en point d’orgue de cette journée, en direct sur @FranceTV depuis le parvis de la Basilique. In @lemondefr ↘️ pic.twitter.com/CmmiyXucm9
The California-born multi-talented entertainer has kept himself busy leading up to the Paris Olympics. After announcing his NBC duties, the “Doggfather” took to the field in Eugene, Oregon, last month at the U.S. Olympic Team track and field trials, where he participated in the 200-meter race (unofficially). He ran against some seasoned professional sprinters: four-time Olympic medalist Ato Bolden — Bronze medal winner in the 200m at the 1996 and 2000 games — and Wallace Spearmon, a multiple-medal-winner who has run in the track and field World Championships.
Nobody expected Snoop to win, but he did clock in at 34.44 seconds. Finishing third, but happy he finished at all.
But, before taking off to Paris, he had a little business to take care of when he opened his first cannabis store.
Located near the Los Angeles International Airport, the store, S.W.E.D., is an acronym of a signature phrase, Smoke Weed Every Day, and a reference to the final line in Dr. Dre‘s record, “The Next Episode,” sung by the late Nate Dogg. The store opened its doors on July 14.
Saint Augustine University Regains Accreditation And Celebrates 157 Years In Higher Ed
The university marked the milestone mere days before its accreditation was reinstated.
Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) in Raleigh, North Carolina, celebrated its 157th Founder’s Day on July 19. Its president honored the anniversary days before the HBCU’s accreditation was reinstated.
In his address, Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess encouraged the SAU community to remain committed to the school’s upliftment. According to HBCU Gameday, Burgess assured the future of Saint Augustine’s as “challenges” threatened its operations.
“Despite these challenges, I assure you that SAU will continue to thrive,” stated Dr. Burgess. “Your steadfast support remains pivotal in securing SAU’s future.”
The school has dealt with significant financial issues, including a $32 million debt and IRS battle. Due to these problems, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) removed the HBCU’s membership in December 2023. With its accreditation at risk, the school created a “pathway to compliance” plan to keep its doors open and legacy alive.
Fortunately, the school has made significant strides in improving its status and budget. On July 22, SAU announced the SACSCOC unanimously voted to reverse SAU’s membership removal. Although they will remain on probation, the school’s Board of Trustees noted the original decision was made in error.
“The SACSCOC arbitration committee’s decision serves as a pivotal moment for SAU’s redemption and renewal,” said Brian Boulware, Chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees. “The unanimous reversal by the arbitration committee rightfully corrects the injustice inflicted upon SAU by SACSCOC’s initial ruling and underscores the university’s steadfast commitment to excellence and growth.”
Burgess also spoke on the good news, stating that SAU is moving forward in the right direction.
“This reinstatement acknowledges SAU’s relentless dedication to upholding academic standards and ensuring a thriving educational environment for our students,” said SAU Interim President Dr. Marcus H. Burgess. “We are resolute in our mission to overcome challenges and emerge stronger than ever.”
Despite initial concerns, the university confirmed that students can return to campus for the upcoming school year. The school will meet with the SACSCOC in
