Newborn, GoFund Me, miles, Tanisha, Carothers, donations, locked in car, car, possessions locked in car,

by Stacy Jackson

June 14, 2024

Fundraiser Exceeds Goal After Car Was Repossesed With Mother’s Newborn Inside

According to the GoFundMe page, donation for the fundraiser will provide the mom with a new vehicle and possessions locked in the car.

Tanisha Carothers, a daycare owner and lawyer, has taken remarkable strides launching a fundraiser to aid Sabriya Miles, a mother whose car was repossessed with her 7-day-old baby still inside.

Carothers established a GoFundMe campaign that has surpassed its $6,000 goal, garnering over 200 donations to support Miles and her family. As detailed on the fundraiser page, a car salesman had allegedly attempted a “bootleg” repossession of Miles’ vehicle, “jumping in the car and speeding off with her newborn in the back seat.” After he realized the child was in the car, he called the police.

The mother, who 14News reported had no prior warning of the repossession, had momentarily left her baby in the running car while dropping off her toddler at a daycare in Evansville, Indiana. “I couldn’t talk,” Miles said. “I was just too frustrated, and I was crying. I carried my baby for nine months, and now I lost her.” With assistance from another mother, Miles managed to follow her car down the street. However, the distressing incident left her without transportation, and her children’s car seats and cell phone were all trapped within the repossessed vehicle.

Carothers expressed outrage at the act, stating, “To think about the humanity of repossessing the car at a day care, I would have been livid had a dealer done that in my parking lot to a family.” She believed that by launching a fundraiser and rallying community support, it would be possible to change the family’s life.

The GoFundMe campaign was launched to provide Miles with a new vehicle and baby necessities and replace the items lost during the repossession. Carothers updated donors on the fundraiser page that with the current funds, the car search is moving forward. She focused the fundraiser on the family’s need for a new vehicle to transport children and find employment. Additional funds will go toward the replacement of a car seat and other items in the vehicle.

While Miles faced criticism on social media for leaving her baby inside the running vehicle, 14News reported that police and the mother confirmed the baby is fine, and no reports of aggressive driving or negligence was filed against the mother. Authorities don’t anticipate any charges will be filed against her or the car salesman.

Dr. Nathan Hare, Father of Black Studies

by Shanique Yates

June 14, 2024

Father of Black Studies Dr. Nathan Hare, Passes Away At 91

Dr. Nathan Hare, renowned as the Father of Black Studies for coining "ethnic studies," passed away at the age of 91, leaving behind a lasting legacy in academia and advocacy for the Black community.

Affectionately dubbed the Father of Black Studies, Dr. Nathan Hare passed away on Monday (June 10). He was 91.

Credited with coining the term “ethnic studies” to replace “minority studies,” Dr. Hare was hired by San Francisco State College, now San Francisco University, as the first program coordinator for the institution’s Black Studies program in 1968. At the time, the program was the first of its kind in the United States.

“We are trying to start a Black studies program at state college, and I think it has the greatest and last hope to solve educational problems of the Black race in this country,” said Dr. Hare in a video found in SF State’s archive.

The university’s program is still in place and is now called Africana Studies. Professor Sharon Jones recalls being a student during the protests held on the campus, which were led by Dr. Hare alongside the Black Panthers and the Black Student Union. These protests ultimately paved the way for the Black Studies program, which is now recognized and replicated at schools across the nation.

“I’m here because of Dr. Hare,” said Jones. “I’m here because of what we did 50 years ago. I would have never dreamed that I would be a professor today. If it wasn’t for Black history, there would be no history.”

Dr. Abdul Pitre, the chair of Africana Studies, recalls sitting in a seat created by Hare.

“Pretty much everything was viewed from a European perspective or a Eurocentric perspective [in the 1960s], and what Black Studies did is it gave a different critique of American society,” said Pitre. “His work is actually immeasurable in the sense that it will continue to impact many generations that are not seen right now.”

In 1979, Dr. Hare, alongside his late wife, Dr. Julia Hare, founded the Black Think Tank to address challenges within the Black community after being let go from the university, persevering in his fight for justice for Black scholars.

Until his passing, Dr. Hare continued to use his platform to promote the wellness of Black people through clinical psychology.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 14, 2024

Issa Rae’s Ensemble Partners With TelevisaUnivision To Create Opportunities For Hispanic Creators

Issa Rae's Ensemble is amplifying Hispanic content creators thanks to its new partnership with Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision.

Issa Rae’s newly launched branded content company, Ensemble, has teamed up with Spanish-language media giant TelevisaUnivision to further amplify diverse creators.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, as part of the partnership, Ensemble will collaborate with TelevisaUnivision’s in-house brand studio, Así Studios, to create new opportunities for Hispanic creators and connect them with brands. The partnership will provide them with access to production resources and skills training.

Ensemble says the creator content “will be integrated across TelevisaUnivision’s IP, including some of the biggest moments in music, sports, and entertainment, to deliver authentic, in-culture content from leading voices in the social space while helping brands maximize growth.”

The announcement comes one month after Rae launched Ensemble with media industry veterans Ian Schafer and Matt Berger to help build deeper, more authentic connections between diverse content creators and brands.

“As we execute our mission to bring more equity to the Creator Economy, it’s imperative that we have like-minded partners who are doing the work to provide more opportunities for creators from underrepresented communities,” Schafer, president of Ensemble said.

“This powerful partnership will empower Ensemble’s market-leading Hispanic creators, through TelevisaUnivision’s unmatched portfolio of IP and experiences, to more deeply engage with brands in and around ‘La Cultura’ regardless of platform or format. But just as importantly, this partnership will provide practical on-ramps for the next generation of professional Hispanic content creators to sustainably emerge and succeed.”

Now, with Ensembles’ ties to TelevisaUnivision, more diverse creators will gain access to the media giant’s cross-country studios, larger audience, and “creator camps” connected to some of its major events.

“Hispanic creators deserve equal opportunities and resources to succeed, and there’s always more work to be done to ensure they have access. We’ve built robust capabilities through Así Creators to meet the needs of brands in connecting them with authentic voices in the Latino community, but there’s always more work to be done,” Dan Riess, executive VP and chief growth officer at TelevisaUnivision, said.

“Ensemble is the perfect partner — we’re excited to add our platform to their mission of helping Hispanic creators to learn, grow, and increase visibility on social and beyond.”

Baltimore High School Students, National Debate Tournament

by Shanique Yates

June 14, 2024

Baltimore City College Debaters Make History As First African American Women’s Team To Win National Championship

Nevaeh Rita Sencion and Saidah Ervin of Baltimore City College made history as the first African American women's team to win the National Catholic Forensic League’s policy debate tournament in Chicago.

This Baltimore City College High School dynamic debate duo has a lot to celebrate. After competing in the National Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament in Chicago during Memorial Day weekend, Nevaeh Rita Sencion and Saidah Ervin made history, and now they have the trophies to prove it.

As the first team of African American women to win the policy debate tournament in the competition, the ladies feel confident that all of their hard work and dedication to the subject paid off in the end.

“They announced second place first, and we heard the other team. We were both just like in shock,” said Ervin. “Like we knew we had it in us, but like being able to hear in front of a room that big and hearing all the cheers for us is a really, really big feeling.”

Going up against some of the most esteemed speech and debate teams in the nation, Sencion and Ervin stood their ground, participating in five debates over two days, each being two hours in length. Moreover, through hard work and perseverance, the ladies knocked the top-ranked high school policy debate team in the country out of the competition by one vote. Their topic included the following: “United States federal government should substantially increase fiscal redistribution by providing a federal jobs guarantee, increasing social security, and/or providing a basic income. I think that’s the exact way it’s said in the policy,” said Ervin.

Although the process of tapping into a subject with so many layers was intense, and at times during the competition they felt exhausted and scared, the pair leaned on one another in moments when they wanted to give up.

“I felt we started to believe in ourselves a little more and believe that we could make it to the end,” said Sencion.

They prepared various speeches for the competition. Some even included poetry, making the win that much more significant in the end.

“We have the very unique responsibility – and almost indebtedness – to other Black debaters, other Black programs, the legacy of Black debate that’s come before us that has opened the doors for us to be able to continue to advocate for ourselves, for our communities,” Sencion said. “We talk not just about the policies but about being students in inner-city Baltimore and being Black women in this activity.”

Both students have been on debate teams since middle school, and as they prepare to graduate high school in the coming weeks, Sencion and Ervin are excited to serve as role models for the new generation of girls who look like them and share their passion for debate.

“I like arguing,” Ervin noted. “I wanna be a lawyer. And I really like research. Research is one of my favorite things to do. Daniels always says that debate is a competitive research activity.”

As the director of speech and debate at City College, Patrick Daniels has led BCC’s Speech and Debate Society for more than 20 years. He reiterated the importance of a win like this for not only his students but Baltimore schools overall.

“It’s an amazing accomplishment,” said Daniels. “Not only for the city of Baltimore but for the debate community to offer change and have a vision for the future beyond the traditional vision of debate being an all-white, all-male activity.”

After graduation, Ervin and Sencion will continue their debate careers in college. Sencion credits the debate team as the vehicle for opening up opportunities for them to pursue higher education. She will attend Wake Forest University on a full debate scholarship. Ervin will head to the University of Kentucky as a leadership scholar. Ultimately, however, the goal is to return to their roots as coaches and judges for BCC’s Speech and Debate Society.

by Stacy Jackson

June 14, 2024

Domestic Violence Survivor Shares Story As Alarming Statistics Reveal Harsh Realities Of Domestic Abuse

Wright says her ex-partner was "a girl's dream," until he later became her abuser and stalker and she became a victim of domestic violence.

Precious Wright, a resident of Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, has courageously broken her silence after enduring years of domestic violence, a harrowing ordeal she describes as “extreme, extreme manipulation.”

It wasn’t until Wright took the crucial step of seeking help that she was able to build a support system and escape her abusive circumstances. Wright recalls being initially enamored by her partner’s seemingly ideal qualities. “He was literally a girl’s dream—anything you would want in a man. Financially responsible, nice dates, traveling out of town,” she told CBS News. However, approximately a year and a half later, the relationship took a distressing turn. Wright found herself trapped in a cycle of uncontrollable arguments, shouting fits, property destruction, and threats.

The domestic violence survivor accused her former partner of relentless stalking and harassment. From February 2020 to March 2021, Wright filed dozens of police reports alleging that the man repeatedly broke her car window, demanded entry into her home, and, on one occasion, physically assaulted her by punching her with closed fists and throwing her to the ground.

“He also made between 50 and 75 email addresses to email me from,” she said. “He would call me from 100, 200 different numbers, and I would block him.”

A February report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified using technology to contact victims via phone calls, texts, emails, social media, or photo messages as a common stalking tactic. The CDC’s ongoing National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey highlights the staggering reality that millions of Americans are affected by sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence annually.

Despite obtaining a two-year Order of Protection, Wright’s abuser persisted in contacting and violating her personal space. After repeatedly taking her abuser back, Wright made the courageous decision to leave everything behind and seek help. With a strong support system, she was able to secure a new place to live, a new job, and a new car, reclaiming her independence.

Staggering statistics from the National Domestic Violence Hotline underscore the urgency of this issue: an average of 24 people per minute in the United States are victims of rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner, and more than 12 million women and men experience such abuse over a single year. Alarmingly, most female victims of intimate partner violence were previously victimized by the same offender at staggeringly high rates across various age groups.

While therapist Gabrielle Molden-Carlwell acknowledged that domestic violence victims who report to the police often face unsatisfactory responses and skepticism about their cases, Wright emphasized the importance of victims being “aware of the resources” and not being “afraid to reach out and take advantage of those resources.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 14, 2024

Salon Owner Creates Dictionary To Get Natural Hair Community On The Same Page

Go inside the first-ever dictionary for natural hair.

A Detroit hair salon owner has added representation to the natural haircare space with the release of their first-ever dictionary for natural hair.

Mo Williams, the founder of the Black-owned hair salon in Metro Detroit, Such a Natural, is the author and publisher behind the Natural Hair Dictionary, a groundbreaking new book that precisely defines natural hair and hairstyles. Part of the “Natural Hair Dictionary’s Natural Hair Style List,” the dictionary serves as a reference guide with titles, descriptions, and over 60 original photographs that each offer in-depth definitions of various natural hairstyles.

This new comprehensive resource serves as an invaluable tool in the beauty industry as it culminates more than a decade of Williams’ experience in natural haircare.

“Over the years, so many questions have been asked and people are to date, unclear about natural hair and what natural hairstyles/their titles actually are, due to a myriad of reasons,” Williams told Black News.

“Since some of the best solutions come in the simplest forms, this was a glaringly obvious answer to the problem. Becoming informed allows one the opportunity to delineate and make educated decisions, which can be pivotal.”

Williams has already dedicated an online platform to connecting the natural hair community to their local natural hairstylist. The website serves as a go-to directory, listing natural hair salons and stylists by state and services offered.

As a result, the natural hair community is able to save time and put off frustration when trying to find a natural hairstylist. The online directory offers a quantitative list of natural hair service providers and services they offer (heat-free), based on their city and state.

“Over the years, we’ve heard ‘how hard it is to find natural hair stylists,’ countless times,” the website states. “So we wanted to make it easier. We did the work for you. Compiling a list of natural hairstylist and salons, making this a central hub for the collective to find the services they need.”

Now with the addition of the Natural Hair Dictionary, Williams is expanding the Such a Natural brand in ways that unite and amplify the natural hair community.

RELATED CONTENT: Sales Of Chemical Hair Relaxers On The Rise In Africa, Despite Ingredients Linked To Cancer

by Jameelah Mullen

June 14, 2024

These 5 Last-Minute Father’s Day Gifts Prove It’s The Thought That Counts

From practical gadgets to unforgettable experiences, these gifts are sure to make your favorite papa feel loved.

Father’s Day is here! Have you purchased a gift for the dad in your life? Don’t worry, BLACK ENTERPRISE has you covered. Let your dad know just how much he means to you with these five last-minute gift ideas that are sure to delight the daddies.

Tumi Delta Lock™ ID wallet

Priced at $135, this classic sleek wallet is made from soft full-grain leather with six card slots, one currency slot, and three slip pockets. The Tumi ID lock technology will help to protect your dad’s credit cards from electric theft. Add a customized printed gift card at no extra charge, and for an extra $5, Nordstrom will take care of the gift wrapping for you. You can order online for fast in-store pick-up.

An E-gift card from Omaha Steaks

Treat your dad to a gourmet experience with an Omaha Steaks gift card. This card offers access to a world of premium steaks, seafood, and poultry. Whether he is a skilled grill master or a food enthusiast, he will appreciate the quality and flavor that Omaha Steaks is known for. Visit its website to purchase.

The Bevel Electric Shaver

This Black-owned shaver is a fan favorite. The patented technology is designed especially for Black skin and helps to reduce the risk of those pesky in-grown hairs. Bevel’s auto-sensing technology adapts to the user’s hair density, which allows it to capture more hairs in every shave.

Priced at $109.95, this waterproof shaver will make your dad’s day. Purchase here.

Pininfarina Senso Hybrid Smartwatch

A classic design with modern technology, this analog watch comes with a digital display that tracks heart rate, steps, and calories. It also comes with a compass and GPS tracking. This is a perfect gift for active dads. Priced at $399, the smartwatch is compatible with Android devices. Purchase the Pininfarina Smartwatch on Amazon for fast delivery.

Concert Tickets

It’s music festival season; this is a perfect time to make meaningful memories with your music-loving Papa. Dance the night away in Vegas with New Edition or catch the legendary O’Jays on the group’s final tour.

Here’s to celebrating the wonderful fathers who enrich our lives with their support and unwavering love. Cheers to you, Pops.

by Kandia Johnson

June 14, 2024

How To Celebrate Father’s Day On A Tight Budget

Sometimes all it takes is a message of appreciation, straight from the heart.

Originally Published June 15, 2019.

As Father’s Day quickly approaches, many of us are wondering what gift to get dad this year. Barbecue grills, TVs, and golf clubs are great, but sometimes all it takes is a message of appreciation, straight from the heart. While you can purchase a really cool gift there are other ways to honor fathers and father figures.

These Father’s Day gift ideas are some creative ways to honor dad.

fathers day, gift, free, movie — (Photo: Pexels)

Use your phone to film a short documentary

Ask siblings, kids, and extended family members to share their favorite stories and the best advice they’ve ever received from dad.

Host a Father’s Day Cook-off

Invite family and friends over to recreate some or your dad’s favorite meals. Of course, dad is the judge and chooses the winner.

Create a customized coffee table book

Include family events such as weddings, graduations, and father-daughter-son moments from your childhood.

Sign Dad up for a class

If he’s been talking about learning how to fly a helicopter or paint, find a class and sign him up.

Write a short personal essay or poem

Talk about key events in your childhood or the influence your dad has had on your life—e.g., “10 Life Lessons I Learned From Dad.”

Build something

Whether it’s a birdhouse, shed, or backyard deck, if your dad loves spending his free time making things, these are all great bonding experiences.

Make a playlist

Pick some of dad’s favorite songs and create a playlist for him. As an added touch, include a few songs that remind you of him and save them to a USB flash drive.

Volunteer in the community

While honoring your dad on Fathers Day, donate your time to helping others who are less fortunate.

Plan a Father’s Day Olympics

If your dad loves sports, a day of competitive activities, such as swimming, a relay race, or even basketball, will make his day.

Spend quality time

Nothing beats quality time with family. Whether it’s spending the day watching movies or barbecuing in the backyard, the memories you’ll make are priceless!

by Sharelle B. McNair

June 14, 2024

Here’s How The U.S. State Department’s New Passport Renewal System Works

Looks like we're outside this summer!

The U.S. State Department has kept its new passport renewal system under wraps – until now.

The agency quietly launched the new public beta test on June 12, which will permit U.S. citizens to renew their passports without having to visit an office or physically mail documents.

The department unsuccessfully tried to roll out the new system in 2022 after an attempt to rectify the intense renewal backlog, which stretched back up to 13 weeks. Under the new system, a limited number of American citizens will be eligible to start their renewal application at 1 p.m. every day. The application will close after the daily limit, which hasn’t been determined yet, is reached. Whenever the number is established, the department plans to increase the capacity on a daily basis. However, the number of accepted applications will continue to be limited over time in efforts to monitor the new system.

According to NBC News, the new system is embedded in President Joe Biden’s 2023 budget, which approved $163 million to redesign passport delivery services so that the public can access important online services. Funds were also allocated for customer-facing upgrades to the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) and the Social Security Administration.

There will be new requirements for passport renewal. With the upgrades, applicants must be over 25 years old, have a passport issued between 2009 and 2015, have no plans to change any demographic information and not travel internationally for a minimum of 8 weeks from the date of renewal submission.

While travelers will no longer have to go into the office for the process, the processing time will remain approximately six to eight weeks. Expedited services, which have a two- to three-week turnaround time and require an extra cost, won’t be eligible for online applications.

There is hope that the new system will continue to make the processing time easier so that things don’t get backed up again. Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, processing time decreased dramatically and failed to recover with travel picking up and reduced agency staffing, but the department says it has recovered to normal service.

Back in 2021, the processing time for a passport reached 18 weeks and then dropped to between 10 and 13 weeks during summer 2023. As of November 2023, the wait time went down to between seven and ten weeks. The first sight of normalcy came by December 2023, making it the first in the pre-pandemic era since March 2020.

To make things even easier, the State Department approved a 12% increase in staffing between December 2022 and January 2024.

myth, credit card, mrwealthbuild, jasper smith,

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 14, 2024

Busting Credit Card Myths One Fallacy At A Time

It’s always recommended that you fact-check any information you obtain from social media.

A ton of bad information about credit and credit cards continues to spread, and social media is a large source of misinformation. Social media allows anyone and everyone to share what they know— or think they know about—a particular subject. It’s always recommended that you fact-check any information you obtain from any source. Extra due diligence when vetting financial information is even more important.

Credit cards are a topic discussed at length by internet financial gurus. As such, tons of credit card myths have continued to persist over time. Unfortunately, there aren’t enough myth-busters spreading the proper messaging. Let’s squash a few of the largest myths.

One credit card myth ranks at or near the top of the list. Let’s see if you’ve heard this one.

Myth: When considering getting a credit card, consider the interest rate first.

Many people will have you believe that the interest rate is the most important thing you should consider before getting a credit card. Unfortunately, it isn’t. If you use your credit card each month and pay off the balance in full when you get the bill, the interest rate will never apply to you. Simple, right?

So, whether the interest rate is 19%, 28%, or some other variable rate, it’s irrelevant if you consistently pay off your balance in full. Many people might challenge you when you tell them this, so prepare for a rebuttal.

Although this myth has now been busted, you still may not agree. Interest rates do matter when it comes to debt—not so much for credit cards. Interest rates should be scrutinized when considering a car or home loan, as both are big-ticket items that carry long-term debt. Credit card debt is something someone should only plan on having for a short time. However, that’s not always the case because many people charge their cards consistently.

Think about it like this: If someone is getting a credit card and is most concerned about the interest rate, they’re already telling themselves (mentally) that they will overspend and may not pay off the balance in full each month.

So, what is the first thing someone should consider when getting a credit card? (All of these would be acceptable answers.)

Does the card offer rewards?
Is there an annual fee?
Can you make the on-time payments each month?

Myth: It isn’t good to max out your credit card.

Fact: Maxing out your credit card is only bad if you don’t pay off the balance (hopefully in full) when you get the bill.

Myth: It’s good to keep a small balance on your credit card month over month because that helps boost your score.

Fact: If you have a balance rolling over each month, that means you’re getting hit with an interest charge. If you are using your credit card and paying off the balance in full, that shows that you’re an active user (makes you look good to the credit bureaus,) and you avoid paying more than you owe. Why pay more money to your financial institution when you don’t have to?

Consider these myths if you decide owning a credit card is for you.

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Jasper Smith, retirement, plans, early, financial roster, experts — Credit: Gregory Collins (Smoothpix.net)

Jasper Smith is the founder of The #BuildWealth Movement®. He’s worked in the financial services industry for over 15 years and holds a life insurance license, multiple securities licenses, and the Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC®) designation.