by Shanique Yates

June 28, 2024

Mystery Donor Pledges Sixth $1M Endowment To Livingstone College, 2nd Donation In Less Than A Month

Livingstone College has received its sixth unrestricted donation from a mystery donor, plans to use funds toward revitalization plans currently underway thanks to President Anthony Davis.

Livingstone College just received its sixth generous $1 million contribution, the second in under a month.

As one of the nation’s private historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Livingstone is one step closer to achieving its renovation goals thanks to a mystery donor who just processed a sixth $1 million donation to the school.

Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the college’s 13th president, is leading a $30 million campus revitalization project to help Livingstone continue to be home to students interested in business, liberal arts, STEAM, teacher education, and workforce development programs. The new funding will be used toward the renovations, which will be completed in five phases. The first wave of upgrades will include new residence halls and a cafeteria. Phase one is currently on track to be completed by the end of 2024.

“We have to roll up our sleeves and make the business case for supporting a private HBCU, so that’s what we’re doing,” said President Davis. “When you think about it, though, buildings and grounds become recruiting and retention tools.”

Tools that aren’t always readily accessible to students at HBCUs nationwide.

In a 2022 report spearheaded by the United Negro College Fund’s (UNCF) Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute, it was discovered that “nearly two-thirds of the 37 member-institution HBCUs that were surveyed between January and February “indicated they had more than $5 million in deferred maintenance.”

Moreover, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) revealed that public HBCUs, on average, have a total deferred maintenance of more than $60 million, so imagine what that looks like for private institutions like Livingstone.

The recent string of donations totaling $6 million will be used to continue pushing the needle forward for the North Carolina-based HBCU to combat current statistics, shared by the National Center for Education Statistics, that reveal that only two HBCUs in the state saw an increase in enrollment within the past ten years.

Despite the reports, Livingstone vice president of enrollment Anthony Brooks said recent initiatives like the “Ten City Tour” led by President Davis have not only brought new eyes to the school, but also provided prospective students with scholarships. Current students have access to a radio station, planetarium, podcast studio, and a new blue football field, along with renovation plans that are underway.

“We added a 34% increase in new students this past year, and we’re on trend to outdo that particular . . . increase from the previous year,” said Brooks. “We currently have a 23% increase in applications over last year, a 34% increase in admitted students and a 40% increase in paid deposits this year for the incoming class.”

He added, “We work with our doors open so students and families can come to campus with questions, and we’re able to work with those students, regardless of what they’re coming to the campus about,” said Brooks. “We make it a point to be able to help students.”

Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, Livingstone College was founded in 1879 as Zion Wesley Institute by a group of A.M.E. Zion ministers to train fellow clergymen. Since 1887, the school has operated under its current name, yet the institution’s mission remains the same: to provide various programs for students to thrive through a Christian-based environment equipped for holistic learning.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 28, 2024

HBCU Students Take Flight In Partnership With Amazon’s Prime Air Program

Four students from Hampton and Howard University learned of Prime Air's drone delivery operations at the tour.

HBCU students are taking flight through a growing partnership with Amazon Prime Air. Capstone scholars from Hampton and Howard University took part in the drone delivery program’s Technology and Innovation Tour.

Amazon’s first commercial drone delivery facility launched in College Station, Texas, at the end of 2022. Four students in aviation, mechanical engineering, and computer science witnessed the process first-hand, while also speaking with the diversity leaders and engineers leading its development. As the company hopes to evolve the way customers get their packages through the emerging technology, its focus has expanded to its HBCU partnerships.

Amanda Rodrigues Smith, senior manager of University Partnerships and DEI Initiatives at Amazon, spoke with BLACK ENTERPRISE of the partnership’s roots. Moreover, she emphasized their commitment to accessibility for all young engineers.

“We are collaborating at the university level to build a more comprehensive approach to teaching the fundamentals in mechanical engineering, computer science and aerospace,” explained Rodriguez Smith. “But that’s a part of this learning exchange, creating real time opportunities for students to learn and as we open up, you know, our offices as an extension of their labs. So there aren’t kind of barriers.”

She added, “It’s ultimately these students’ decision to choose where they take their foundational skills and how they apply that, and to provide them with the most options so that they have the ability to choose…It’s not just about flying drones, there’s actually different types of career opportunities that can be for a quality engineer.”

Beginning at Hampton University in 2021, a collaboration with Amazon Robotics was the start of a multi-year modernization plan. Its goals of funding labs and flying drones on campus hope to establishment a degree program in the measure. Students from Hampton and Howard have taken part in this capstone program, with fellow HBCU Tuskegee in the works. Some have also earned their pilot’s license to fly these innovative machines.

The fulfillment center will introduce a newer drone model soon, providing a sleeker look and quieter sound to its operations. Currently, its autonomous drone, whose flight paths are monitored by personnel, can deliver packages of up to 5 pounds within a 5 mile radius, all in 60 minutes or less. Witnessing the technological possibilities of the program also inspired the students to visualize a future in drone aviation.

“It’s pretty exciting because what I do right now with drones is more-so research and research-based missions. This is a much further step, going into a commercial laws,” shared Tyrique Moss, a Mechanical Engineering Major at Hampton. “My own goal is telling the future of aviation honestly, to do and see as much as I can. There’s so many different types of drones, different usage and utilities. You can expand from it to absolutely everywhere, as far as search and rescue to delivery. I can try and do that. That’s all out there for me.”

Amazon continues its DEI and upskilling initiatives in STEM, including its AI Ready program and Amazon Future Engineer. These measures hope to build a foundational skillset for students of all backgrounds to go higher with their dreams. As for the drone delivery sites, plans to launch a second location in Arizona are underway.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 28, 2024

Doug Williams Promoted To Senior Advisor To Washington Commanders’ General Manager

Williams has been involved with the organization for the past 10 years after winning a Super Bowl there in 1987.

Former Washington Redskins (now Commanders) quarterback Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl, has been promoted to senior advisor to the general manager of the Washington Commanders. In his new role, Williams will be working alongside Commanders General Manager Adam Peters.

Doug Williams’ promotion to senior advisor to GM Adam Peters among several front-office changes announced by Commanders on Tuesdayhttps://t.co/nDfnF54J1O pic.twitter.com/oqJ9LvGDEi

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 25, 2024

Williams has been involved with the organization for the past 10 years after bringing a championship to the organization in 1987.

“It feels good to be around people who respect you,” Williams told Sports Illustrated‘s HBCU Legends. “This is a great regime in Washington.”

Williams started working with the Washington in 2014 when he took on the team’s personnel executive role. From 2017 to 2019, he was the senior vice president of player personnel and was promoted to senior vice president of player development in 2020. Jason Wright, the Commanders team president, promoted him to be his senior advisor in 2021.

After playing his college ball at Grambling State, he was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 17th overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. That selection made him the first Black quarterback taken in the first round of the modern-day NFL draft.

Williams led the Bucs to the 1979 NFC Championship Game but after the 1982 season, he sat out a season after failed contract negotiations. He joined the USFL for two seasons before being brought back to the NFL to join Washington in 1986.

Williams is a member of the Washington Ring of Fame and Tampa Bay Ring of Honor. He was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, Washington, D.C. Hall of Fame, and Black College Football Hall of Fame. He co-founded the Black College Football Hall of Fame with James “Shack” Harris in 2009. In 2022, the HBCU and NFL legends also founded the HBCU Legacy Bowl.

Williams also coached at Morehouse College and Grambling State University. Under Williams’ leadership, Grambling State won two straight Black college football national championships in 2000 and 2001. His teams won four SWAC championships (2000–2002, 2011), and he was named the SWAC Coach of the Year (2000-2002) for three straight years.

L to R are Danielle Hines, CEO, CREED63; Nan Baldwin, VP of Chamber Operations, Birmingham Business Alliance; Leilani Rivers, Advanced Planning Consultant, New York Life; and Stacey Graham, Managing Partner of the Central Alabama General Office, New York Life.)

by Jeffrey McKinney

June 27, 2024

New York Life Panel Offers Black Businesses Tips To Enhance Their Firms And Themselves

New York Life panel offers strategies to help Black small business owners scale and generate individual wealth.

Like baseball, stellar triumphs in business are calculated by analyzing data for the players and the team. Those stats can help entrepreneurs apply actions to compete better, adapt quickly to changing business conditions, and even potentially spur steady revenue growth.

With a presence in Birmingham, Alabama, since 1902, New York Life (NYL) recently conducted “Swing for Success: Driving Growth for Black Business Owners & Entrepreneurs” there. The panel, attended by 150 local small business owners and others, provided financial tools and strategies to help entrepreneurs scale up, accumulate wealth, and build economic prosperity.

The panel included Leilani Rivers, advanced planning consultant, NYL; Nan Baldwin of the Birmingham Business Alliance; and Danielle Hines, CEO and founder at CREED 63. Stac y Graham, managing partner of the Central Alabama General Office, NYL, was the moderator. The vent included a fireside chat with former MLB player and business owner Dexter Fowler.

The nation’s largest mutual insurance company, NYL, is home to about 30,000 policy owners in Birmingham and nearly 85,000 in Alabama. In 2023, the firm provided $12 billion in life insurance protection and paid about $124 million to Alabama beneficiaries.

The insurer has about 1,500 Black agents providing life insurance, retirement income planning, and financial advisory services among its offerings.

The panel, presented during the week of Juneteenth and amid a tribute to baseball’s Negro Leagues, was timely, given some startling statistics on Black entrepreneurship. For instance, there were 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in America. Some 8 out of 10 failed within their first 18 months because of a lack of resources and funds.

According to a report from the City of Birmingham, Black residents account for 74% of the city’s population, but only 50% of businesses are Black-owned. In comparison, white residents compose 22% of the population, but 47% of the companies are white-owned.

The panelists talked about what helps them achieve, offering insights that Black entrepreneurs may do well to consider in establishing or sustaining their success. Some key takeaways included:

YOU ARE ONLY GOOD AS YOUR TEAM

Graham noted that in 2021, 161,000 US firms had employees with significant Black or African American ownership, up from 124,000. In 2017, he said, their revenues soared by about 43%.

“Many of you in the audience contributed to that.” Hines was asked to share her experience running a small business and some of her biggest learnings over the years.

Among her responses, she said she always tells people that if your business is perfect when you start, then you start it too late. Secondly, she said you must have a team around you and understand when you’re starting your business, what you’re good at, and what your blind spots are.

She noted some things she lacked as a small business owner that were very hard for her to overcome as she was growing and developing her business.

“So, really understand what your strengths are and identify your weaknesses so that as you grow, you can really be this well-rounded small business and small business owner.”

Rivers added that, as an employer, you must invest in your team. She said that’s crucial to retaining good talent. “So, you want to make sure that you’re also giving them tools to succeed and further impact their potential goals and investing in their success.”

PLANNING FOR YOURSELF FINANCIALLY IS A MUST FOR BUSINESS OWNERS

Rivers explained that employees can frequently get a job, automatically enroll in a 401(k), and gain an opportunity for employer matching. However, you don’t have that luxury as a small business owner. She stressed that the earlier an owner can start saving for retirement, the better off you will be.

“It’s imperative to be proactive and not sacrifice having a comfortable life in retirement. You want to just knuckle down and try to make your dream come true with this business. You an do both, and financial empowerment begins as soon as you become educated on it and as soon as you start to take proactive steps.”

WHERE YOU GET ADVICE FROM TRULY MATTERS

Panelists discussed how the Black community has roughly $1.8 trillion in buying power. Yet under a staggering 13% of African Americans will receive an inheritance. They also discussed the importance of wealth transfer, a hot topic. Rivers explained that life insurance as an asset — along with financial planning, having a will, and education — can help pass on a financial legacy and close the wealth gap. If a salesperson approaches you, Graham’s advice is to challenge them. “You don’t need a product; you need a plan. Ask how this fits into my overall plan. That’s how you take holistic advice and planning and use it to your advantage and get you to where you want to go.”

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BUILDING A NETWORK

As you grow your business, Baldwin suggests getting your name and brand out there to help you achieve success. But make sure that whatever you say you will do, whatever service you provide, or whatever needs you fulfill, do it because your reputation will precede itself.

“I can’t say enough about building your brand through networking and relationship building.”

Business owner Hines of CREED 63 shared some comments on the panel discussion.

“Birmingham is a hidden gem with so much history. Even s like this encourage and invigorate the city, specifically those entrepreneurs and small businesses that spend day in and [day] out creating spaces, services, and products.”

She added, “We are decades later from so many significant milestones and events, and our small business owners know and appreciate the shoulders we stand on. Even things like this help facilitate intentional conversations in history, present, and future.”

Check out this site to gain more details about business planning resources.

RELATED CONTENT: Butch Graves And Michael Hyter On Corporate DEI

Butch Graves, Michael Hyter, Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors

by Kay Rose

June 27, 2024

Butch Graves And Michael Hyter On Corporate DEI

CDO Summit spotlighted the gap between corporate promises and actual investments in DEI.

BLACK ENTERPRISE and The Executive Leadership Council (ELC) successfully hosted the second annual Black Enterprise Chief Diversity Officer Summit and Honors on June 11, sponsored by Fidelity Investments and Merck.

During the event, Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., CEO of BE, and Michael Hyter, president and CEO of The ELC, engaged in a thought-provoking discussion on the current state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in corporate America. The dialogue at the annual BE CDO Summit spotlighted the gap between corporate promises and actual investments in DEI, stressing the imperative for sustained actions to foster meaningful change.

Graves kicked off the conversation saying he wanted them to engage in an honest and open conversation. “There’s no one better than Michael, in his role leading ELC, to dive into this topic. It’s more important now than ever.”

Graves then asked Hyter to share insights from a recent study supported by The ELC on DEI. Hyter expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and highlighted the significance of the study, which captured the perspectives of top Black executives on their companies’ DEI efforts. He explained, “Amid all the discussions and challenges surrounding DEI, we recognized the necessity of including the voice of Black executives actively managing businesses within corporations.” The study revealed that 72% of respondents rated their respective corporations’ DEI efforts as strong, while 28% acknowledged areas needing improvement. Hyter noted that the findings were well received, particularly the emphasis on viewing DEI as a strategic business initiative rather than merely a legal obligation. He shared, “One CEO pointed out, ‘It was refreshing to consider this as integral to our business strategy, rather than a compliance issue I have to deal with.’”

Reflecting on broader societal impacts, Graves recalled the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder and the global protests that ensued. He remarked, “When we look back at the George Floyd incident, beyond the tragic event itself…” Hyter echoed this sentiment, underscoring the urgency of advancing DEI within corporate environments. The summit provided a pivotal platform for leaders to exchange strategies and reaffirm their commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces.

Hyter also addressed the broader challenge of corporate commitments to DEI. “Corporate self-interest often takes precedence over our collective interests,” he noted, highlighting a historical pattern of fluctuating interest in DEI initiatives. He stressed the importance of genuinely and strategically integrating DEI efforts to ensure their sustainability and impact. “Diversity, equity, and inclusion must be integral to our business strategies, not sidelined as optional add-ons,” Hyter added.

Graves also expressed frustration with the lack of fulfillment of corporate pledges in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy. “If we were to audit all these pledges, what percentage do you think would be fulfilled?” he asked. Hyter confirmed the disappointing reality: “Only 250 million out of the pledged 50 billion.”

The discussion then shifted to the role of African Americans in politics and corporate leadership. Graves emphasized the importance of active engagement and support for DEI initiatives. “We cannot rely on others to do what we’re not willing to do ourselves,” he stated. He called on Black leaders to bolster organizations like Black Enterprise and The ELC in their efforts to advance DEI.

Hyter echoed these sentiments, advocating for a proactive approach. “We need to be active participants rather than passive observers. Instead of expecting others to take the lead, we should actively contribute and invest in these initiatives,” he said. He emphasized the potential of the private sector to drive meaningful change in DEI, emphasizing the power of corporations to hire, develop, and contribute to economic progress.

Graves concluded with a call to action for Black corporate leaders to step up and support DEI efforts within their organizations and the broader community. “When our community reaches out to a corporation, seeking support from a Black professional within, and that individual hesitates, citing career concerns, they miss the bigger picture,” Graves lamented.

The summit served as a crucial platform for leaders to share strategies and reaffirm their commitment to creating inclusive and equitable workplaces. The insights and calls to action from Graves and Hyter underscore the ongoing importance of sustained and genuine efforts in advancing DEI in corporate America.

Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors, DEI, diversity equity inclusion

by Kay Rose

June 27, 2024

BLACK ENTERPRISE Hosts Second Annual Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors

Panelists underscored the need for strategic, united action

BLACK ENTERPRISE successfully hosted its second annual Chief Diversity Officer Summit and Honors in partnership with The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), Fidelity Investments, and Merck. The Summit took place on June 11, 2024, at Guastavino’s in New York City, bringing together esteemed leaders dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across corporate America.

Earl “Butch” Graves Jr., CEO of BE, opened the Summit by commending attendees for their commitment to promoting equal access and solidarity within their organizations. “Thank you all for championing DEI amidst challenging times,”Graves remarked. He highlighted the pivotal role of DEI professionals in reshaping corporate landscapes despite recent legislative opposition and corporate commitment setbacks following the George Floyd tragedy.

Graves acknowledged the political and legal challenges threatening DEI progress, urging the corporate community to resist short-sighted pressures and reclaim the narrative. The Summit celebrated trailblazing executives who historically advanced DEI and continue to champion this mission despite the challenging climate. Additionally, the event sparked meaningful discussions to further progress in DEI.

The Summit featured two powerful sessions led by leaders in the field, examining the future of DEI candidly. Graves thanked Fidelity Investments, The Executive Leadership Council, and Merck for their bold leadership and partnership. He also thanked the DEI professional community for their transformative work, setting the stage for a critical town hall discussion defending corporate DEI.

Minda Harts, founder and CEO of Memo LLC, moderated the town hall, initiating a conversation on the current state of DEI. Panelists Celeste Warren from Merck, Traci Sanders from Verizon, and Audria Pendergrass Lee from FINRA shared insights on evolving challenges and the imperative to reclaim the DEI narrative. Sanders emphasized that diversity remains essential for business success despite expanding pressures on DEI roles. Pendergrass Lee stressed the importance of creating inclusive environments where all individuals can thrive.

Harts emphasized the perceived “war on DEI” and the importance of maintaining dignity, equity, and respect in the workplace. Warren discussed fears and targeted attacks on DEI progress, likening opposition efforts to futilely trying to stop a tsunami with a bucket and mop. Sanders highlighted the risks of undermining DEI education for future employees unprepared for diverse workplaces. Pendergrass Lee clarified that DEI aims to ensure equitable opportunities for all, dismissing portrayals of discrimination against white males.

Panelists underscored the need for strategic, united action, including active allyship from all demographic groups to sustain and advance DEI initiatives. Pendergrass Lee and Sanders emphasized the importance of white allies in DEI efforts, encouraging them to engage as team members rather than saviors.

The discussion also highlighted the role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in fostering inclusion and breaking stigmas. Pendergrass Lee mentioned FINRA’s strategy of inclusive ERGs, while Sanders shared Verizon’s practice of involving C-suite leaders in ERGs to enhance engagement and education. Both agreed that DEI must be embedded into all organizational processes. Warren emphasized the importance of resilience and mutual support at work. The panel discussed mentoring younger employees, respecting their boundaries, and leveraging their innovative approaches. They stressed the need to align company values with expected behaviors, particularly in diversity and inclusion, advocating for ongoing, sometimes discreet, efforts to make progress.

Harts concluded the Summit with gratitude for the robust conversation and handed it over to Black Enterprise’s Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Derek T. Dingle. He reflected on the session’s message about the urgent need to combat threats undermining decades of progress for Black executives and diversity leaders, emphasizing the significance of this discussion near the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 55 years since the founding of Black Enterprise by Earl G. Graves Sr., urging vigilance in holding corporate America accountable for preserving hard-earned advancements.

As the Summit concluded, the message was clear: the journey toward true equality and inclusion is ongoing and requires collective effort from all stakeholders.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 27, 2024

Ace Character Actor Bill Cobbs Dead At 90

He appeared in nearly 200 movies and television shows

Actor Bill Cobbs, who celebrated his 90th birthday June 16, has died, his family said in a statement.

A family member, Thomas Cobb, released a statement on social media acknowledging the actor’s death.

“We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs. On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California. A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather, and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones. As a family, we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time.”

Days after his 90th Birthday, Bill Cobbs died today. A father figure, a griot, an iconic artist, that mentored me by the way he led his life as an actor. He played my father twice: in I’ll Fly Away & The Gregory Hines Show.Each time imparting wisdom with a word of encouragement pic.twitter.com/BZNWxW4HuM

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) June 26, 2024

According to Variety, Cobbs was a veteran actor who appeared in nearly 200 movies and television shows throughout his nearly 50-year career. He made his feature film debut in 1974 when he had a role in the movie, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He made his television debut the following year in Vegetable Soup.

His IMDb.com bio stated that before he made his way to TV and movie roles, the Cleveland resident moved to New York to pursue a career in acting in 1970.

Cobbs was a cab driver, an office equipment repairman, and a toys salesman before he landed his first acting role. His first professional acting role took place at the Negro Ensemble Company in Ride a Black Horse. He appeared in several small theater productions, street theater, regional theater, and at the Eugene O’Neill Theater.

He appeared in an array of movies ranging from Brother from Another Planet to Air Bud. On TV, he was equally prolific, appearing in everything from The Sopranos to Sesame Street.

In 2020, Cobbs won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding limited performance in a daytime program for Dino Dana.

by Jameelah Mullen

June 27, 2024

6-Year-Old New Jersey Boy Drowns In Pool On First Day Of Summer Camp

Michael Stewart was found unresponsive in the shallow end of the pool.

An investigation is underway after 6-year-old Michael Stewart drowned in a pool at a camp in Mansfield Township, New Jersey, on June 24.

The incident happened around 2 p.m. while the child was at Liberty Lake Day Camp.

The owner and director of the camp, Andy Pritikin, said a lifeguard found the boy unresponsive in the pool. Staff members pulled Stewart out of the water and administered CPR. He was then taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The child was a part of an inclusion program for children with special needs, WPVI TV Philadelphia reports.

According to Pritikin, five staff members, including one who was specifically assigned to the child, were present at the time of the drowning. Additionally, four lifeguards were reportedly on duty.

It is unclear how long Stewart was underwater before the lifeguard spotted him and pulled him out.

Pritikin addressed the camper’s families in a Zoom meeting soon after the incident.

“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken. Our thoughts at this most difficult time are with our camper’s family, friends, and loved ones – and we are respecting their privacy at this time,” Pritikin said.

The camp director said that going forward, all staff will be required to be in the water with children. Additionally, a buddy check system will implemented.

The camp was operating as normal on June 25. Video from WPVI TV Philadelphia video shows children swimming in one of the camp’s pools and lifeguards on duty. Pritikin said that he made the decision because he felt it was important to provide a sense of “normalcy” for staff and children.

Michael’s mother, Enjoli Stewart, holds the camp responsible for her son’s death.

“Liberty Lakes messed up, big time. Now I don’t have a son anymore, like, that’s heartbreaking,” Stewart told Fox 29 News.

Two separate Go Fund me links have been set up to support the family. To make a donation click here or here.

Black Voters, voting, social media, phone

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

June 27, 2024

Report: Influencers And Podcasts Are Main Spreaders Of Disinformation For Black Voters

The analysis detailed six core networks that work as actors spreading disinformation to Black voters.

A new report has revealed the main types of platforms that spread disinformation to Black voters. The primary networks of influencers and podcasts fuel “fake news” to this critical demographic.

On June 25, Onyx Impact released “The Black Online Disinformation Landscape.” According to its description, the analysis serves as the “first-ever comprehensive roadmap for understanding and addressing the unique disinformation networks and narratives both within and targeting Black online spaces.”

The study detailed how six core networks worked to target Black voters by fostering division and jadedness ahead of the 2023 general election, which could influence over 40 million Black Americans. Among the most prevalent are “gateway” influencers and platforms, such as The Breakfast Club, The Joe Budden Podcast, The Shade Room, and other programs with a primarily Black audience.

These platforms can, often unintentionally, use their massive influence within the Black community to shed light on false narratives. Hosting controversial speakers to spread their agenda on these shows can contribute to misinformation. Moreover, the proponents of Black media and cultural commentary often allow guests to go unchecked in their messaging, which can lead to harmful results.

Another network is far-right activists with media platforms. Candace Owens remains at the forefront of popular Black conservative outlets. Her promotion of controversial revisionist narratives, which the study lists as having a high impact and reach across Black America, heavily contributes to the disinformation landscape, found the report. Owens extreme conservatism, which attributes to her platform’s growing popularity and vitality, could lend to a reach of over 11 million.

However, while the consistency of these disinformation efforts is a cause for concern, Onyx Impact’s Founder Esosa Osa did note that Black voters are not immediately falling for the trap.

“Black voters are likely less susceptible to many disinformation narratives given their deserved higher levels of skepticism in institutions and government overall,” said Osa to NBC News. “But just like other communities, when disinformation is targeted and comes from messengers with standing, it can be incredibly effective and dangerous.”

Other networks include health skeptics, Black nativists and separatists, and a misogynistic Black manosphere, in addition to foreign actors. Civic disengagement, gender wars, and general division also have a high reach and impact on disinformation in Black media networks.

RELATED CONTENT: Candace Owens Parts Ways With Daily Wire

Washington D.C., Reparations, Kenyan McDuffie

by Jameelah Mullen

June 27, 2024

Washington, D.C., Council Approves Funding For Reparations Task Force

The funding for the reparations committee is part of the city’s $21 billion budget.

The Washington, D.C., city council approved a budget for next year that will allocate funds for a reparations task force that will conduct research and develop proposals to address the generational impact of slavery.

The project will have $1.5 million reserved toward developing reparations for Black residents “directly wronged and traumatized by the ills of slavery, Jim Crow, and structural and institutional racism,” according to the bill. It also requires the commissioner of the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking, to create a database of slaveholding records and life insurance policies on enslaved people.

Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie introduced the bill early last year. The council’s Office of Racial Equity conducted historical research and provided recommendations to understand the bill’s impact on Black residents.

“There’s still some steps that we have to get through at the council, but having the funding included in the budget to establish the creation of the commission, to do all the research that’s going to be required to develop potential proposals, is absolutely critical to moving it forward.” McDuffie told The Washington Post.

McDuffie citied a 2016 Urban Institute study that showed that white households in Washington D.C. have 81 times the wealth of their Black counterparts.

“I think you don’t get to really start chipping away at that racial wealth gap without an understanding of the history and the impact of industry, government policies that contributed to some of the outcomes that we still see today,” he said.

The state of California, along with several U.S. cities are also considering how to account for the residual harm of slavery.

In 2021, Evanston, Illinois, was the first city to implement a reparations program to address discriminatory policies from 1919 to 1969, which included redlining. The program awarded $25,000 to Black residents directly affected by or whose ancestors were affected by these discriminatory policies. The city has already issued payments to 129 Black residents.

However, the township’s program has been sued by conservative activist group that claims it violates equal protection under the Constitution.