Small Business Administration Announces $30 Million Grant To Expand Women’s Business Centers
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced a $30 million grant to expand the Women’s Business Centers (WBC) network, including new centers in the U.S. Virgin Islands and specialized programs for federal contracting and child care businesses.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has officially announced a $30 million grant funding opportunity to further support Women’s Business Centers (WBCs).
The funds will support the expansion of the WBC Network, the opening of a WBC in the U.S. Virgin Islands, and a first-of-its-kind opportunity for funding for WBCs that specializes in federal contracting and childcare businesses.
“Under the Biden-Harris administration, the SBA’s expanded network of WBCs is meeting new and established women business owners where they are and working to level the playing field for women entrepreneurs, who still face unique obstacles in funding and growing their businesses,” said Isabel Guzman, head of the SBA.
“With this funding expansion for WBCs, the SBA will better meet the increased demand stemming from the high rates of entrepreneurship among women under the Biden-Harris administration’s small business boom,” she continued. “Additionally, key policy changes will allow the SBA to leverage virtual tools to provide resources to more small businesses, prioritize industry gaps in child care, and further advance women in federal contracting.”
The new WBCs will become a part of a network of 152 in-person WBCs across all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico. In order to qualify for the grants, applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status providing entrepreneurial development services to women, particularly in areas with underserved communities in the United States.
“Every new WBC helps open doors for women entrepreneurs who need access to training and practical assistance to stand up and grow their small businesses,” said Christina Hale, assistant administrator for the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership. “By investing in women’s economic potential, the SBA is fostering innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our communities.”
A virtual WBC Applicant Workshop will be held to offer interested parties more information about the grant funding. The event will be listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. All questions about the upcoming initiatives should be sent to the SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership at owbo@sba.gov.
Virginia NAACP Files Lawsuit Against County School Board For Reissuing Former Confederate School Names
By restoring the names with a 5-1 vote, the suit alleges the board violated the First and Fourteenth amendments of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Education Opportunities Act.
The state’s NAACP chapter is suing the school board of Shenandoah County in Virginia for accepting the approval to restore the names of Confederate military leaders to two public schools.
In a federal lawsuit filed on June 11, the NAACP Virginia State Conference, including five students, accused the board of discrimination against Black students. The suit argues the board created “an unlawful and discriminatory educational environment for Black students.” On May 9, the board made a controversial decision to revert Mountain View High School and Honey Run Elementary School to their former names – Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School.
Both are named after Confederate military leaders Robert E. Lee, Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, and Turner Ashby.
By restoring the names with a 5-1 vote, the suit alleges the board violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Equal Education Opportunities Act. The legislation was mandated to protect the rights to free speech and equal protection of the law and prevent discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in public schools.
During a press conference to inform residents of the lawsuit coming and to inform people living in Shenandoah County about its decision to sue the school board, the organization’s President, Rev. Cozy Bailey, spoke on the importance of battling decisions made by local school boards that affect children. “When students walk through the halls of renamed Stonewall Jackson High School and Ashby-Lee Elementary School, they will do so with inescapable reminders of Confederate legacies that enslaved and discriminated against African-descended people. This community deserves better,” Bailey said.
“The world is watching to see if this variety of the seeds of hate and disenfranchisement will take root and return Shenandoah County and the Commonwealth of Virginia to the days where racial exclusion was the law of the land.”
“These students must display a message of honoring the values of slavery and racism associated with the Confederacy or else risk exclusion from those activities.”
According to NBC News, the schools were stripped of the names in 2020 after an influx of racial injustice pushback following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis — including the call for some communities to remove Confederate symbolism and statues. In 2015, after the brutal mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, an abundance of protests and debates resulted in the removal of the Confederate flag from the State House.
Years later, groups including neo-Nazis, white nationalists, and conservative organizations have upped their game to have such symbolism reinstated. In a letter dated April 3, Coalition for Better Schools petitioned Shenandoah County officials to add the names of Jackson, Lee, and Ashby back. “We believe that revisiting this decision is essential to honor our community’s heritage and respect the wishes of the majority,” the letter read.
While the chairman of the board, Dennis C. Barlow, has yet to comment on the lawsuit, students heightened the purpose of the suit by expressing their experience of racism within the school system. “Over the course of my life living in Shenandoah County, I’ve experienced racism and dismissal of progressive ideas if I shared them,” one student said.
“Because of this, for a long time, I stayed silent about my views. This decision has made me realize that I need to speak out for what I believe in and empower people to use their voices for positive change.”
Sales Of Chemical Hair Relaxers On The Rise In Africa, Despite Ingredients Linked To Cancer
As sales of chemical hair relaxers are decreasing in the U.S., Canada and Europe, companies are shifting their focus to Africa
Many chemical hair straighteners contain ingredients such as formaldehyde, Bisphenol A, and parabens, all of which have been linked to cancer.
In a 2023 report published by the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that women who use chemical relaxers at least four times a year are twice as likely to develop uterine cancer than those who don’t. Both Brazil and Canada have placed restrictions on formaldehyde in relaxers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposed to ban the chemical last year.
Several Black women have filed lawsuits against companies claiming that their haircare products have caused cancer. One class action lawsuit claims that companies sold relaxers that “posed an increased risk of uterine and ovarian cancer but also lacked sufficient warning about this potential risk.”
With increased awareness about the dangers of hair relaxers, the use of these products has declined in the United States, Canada, and Europe. However, according to the market research firm Euromonitor, sales of chemical relaxers in some African countries have increased significantly. Sales in Tunisia and Kenya increased by 10% from 2017 to 2023.
Seyi Faladun-Liburd is the co-director of Level Up UK, a feminist organization that campaigns for gender justice in the UK. Faladun-Liburdsays that companies expanding into Africa are problematic because they are able to evade some of the regulations that are present in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
“It means that most consumers, most likely, are actually unaware of the effects of these hair relaxers. We don’t expect that they will expose us to harm for profit,” Faladun-Liburd told NBC News.
L’Oreal and Godrej Consumer Products, the company that owns TCB Naturals, have both expanded into Africa after being hit with lawsuits in the United States.
In a statement to NBC News, L’Oreal claimed that these lawsuits had no “legal or scientific” merit and had no impact on the company’s presence in Africa.
According to Sokolove Law, more than 8,000 hair relaxer lawsuits have been filed against L’Oreal USA and other companies.
Nathan Wade’s Team Pauses A CNN Interview After Being Asked About Romantic Relationship With Fani Willis
While it is unknown what Wade and the unidentified man were discussing as seen in the corner, that didn't stop Collins from finishing where she left off.
Things became awkward during a CNN interview with special prosecutor Nathan Wade after Kaitlan Collins asked about the headlining romantic relationship with Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis.
The interview went viral on social media shortly after it was posted on June 12. Collins started by asking Wade to clarify the current dynamics of his relationship with Willis. He said the two are “great friends” who “speak regularly;” however, things have changed some. “The conversation has changed, though, whereas before our conversations were about this case. I’m sure you can imagine and appreciate the amount of time that it takes that you have to pour into a case of this magnitude to prosecute those defendants,” he said.
“But our conversation has shifted… ’How are you? How are you handling the threats that are coming your way? Are you being safe?’ and the case will live on.”
The conversation between Wade and Collins shifted after the anchor asked him when his romantic relationship with Willis started. Wade began to answer the question but was flagged by his team to pause. Producers then released Wade from his microphone, and he walked to the corner of the room with a member of his team to discuss it.
Luckily, CNN cameras continued to roll to catch the odd incident.
My exchange with Nathan Wade tonight on the timeline of his romantic relationship with District Attorney Fani Willis — including an interruption from a member of his team as he was answering when it began and when it ended. pic.twitter.com/S5AJzdsmOC
Almost two minutes into the interview, Wade returns. Collins asks him if “everything is OK,” and he simply responds, “Yeah.”
While it is unknown what Wade and the unidentified man were discussing, as seen in the corner, that didn’t stop Collins from picking up where she left off. After she re-asked her question about the timeline of the relationship with Willis, Wade obliged and answered with a seemingly different tone — taking the angle that the issue is a distraction from the Georgia election interference case against former President Donald Trump. “I believe that the public has, through the testimony and other interviews, a clear snapshot that this is clearly just a distraction,” he said.
“It is not a relevant issue in this case, and I think that we should be focusing more on the facts and the indictment in the case.”
After Collins reminded the prosecutor that the Georgia Court of Appeals could ask similar questions, Wade stood his ground and refused to clarify the timeline of his relationship with Willis. “Again, there’s a question before the court, and that is the crux of the question. I don’t choose to say or do anything that would jeopardize the case or the court’s ruling,” he responded. “I prefer to allow them to make their decision based upon what they have and accept it.”
Social media users chimed in to give their take on the matter. Some agreed with Wade, like @KenReece, who said,” Their affair has nothing to do with the orange turds case.” Another user said the interview looks poorly against the case. “I honestly don’t understand why it matters if they were in a relationship and when it happened, but just tell the truth or don’t give interviews,” @ChrisMoore15919 said.
Mayor Craig Greenberg made the surprise announcement on June 12 after Gwinn-Villaroel had only held the position for less than a year. While Greenberg said in a statement that the chief wasn’t involved in the allegations herself, he said such issues would not be tolerated. “I will not tolerate sexual misconduct in Louisville Metro Government, including in LMPD,” Greenberg said during a press conference.
“Rules and policies are in place for a reason, and they need to be followed.”
The publication retrieved a recording of the meeting where the chief was allegedly heard asking Lauder if there was anyone specifically that she could not work with. “I’m going to put it on record today,” Gwinn-Villaroel said. “I’m going to ask, is there anybody within this command staff or executive staff you can’t work with?”
Lauder responded by saying, “I cannot work with Major Kuriger. He has sexually harassed me and attacked me, and I cannot work with him.”
After 21 seconds of silence, the chief continues to roll call other majors before announcing Kuriger’s promotion. “Your next Lt. Col. will be Brian Kuriger,” Villaroel says. She continues to tell Lauder that her concerns were heard, followed by the major allegedly telling the chief, “I know that right now is not a good time to bring it up…” but she didn’t want you to say that…later, that I didn’t bring it up.”
Greenberg has praised her for how she handled a mass shooting that took the lives of five people at a bank in 2023. Officers quickly responded, fatally shooting the gunman just minutes after a 911 call. However, the mayor has growing concerns about how the sexual harassment claims have been handled, especially after being a target of criticism by the U.S. Justice Department.
After Taylor’s death, the agency conducted a wide-ranging investigation and found Louisville officers often engaged in patterns of discrimination and violation of constitutional rights. Its report revealed it “identified deficiencies” in the department’s response to allegations of sexual misconduct or domestic violence among officers.
Lauder’s attorney, Jared Smith, released a statement saying, “What we hear LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel say in this recording is deeply concerning as her tone toward her command staff is, in my opinion, aggressive and threatening,” he said.
“The chief’s response to Major Lauder’s allegation paints an unsettling picture of a department lacking strong leadership and failing to prioritize the well-being of its officers.”
Greenberg named Deputy Chief Paul Humphrey as acting chief during the investigation, while an LMPD spokesperson clarified that Kuriger’s promotion was not official.
Christina Lewis opened the firm to the public on June 13 in New York City. It is the first of its kind—the only Black woman-owned multi-family office. Meredith Bowen, a former partner at Seven Bridges Advisors, will serve as president and chief investment officer. As some portion of their assets will come from the family business, BFO21, and from within Lewis’s personal network, the team is insistent on moving past the status quo of sitting in a particular niche.
Lewis’ goal is to stress the importance of having a tax-efficient portfolio to next-generation inheritors, entrepreneurs and multiracial families, such as hers. She also wants to present a standard of having a solid team of investment managers, lawyers, and accountants that clients can trust over feeling like an obligation.
“The next-gen can be very under-advised, as I was and as my whole family was when my dad passed away,” she said, reminiscing on her father, who passed away when she was 12.
“He had all the intellectual capital related to investing and financial access and, of course, never expected to die at 50 years old.”
His estate was left to his wife, Loida Lewis and his daughters Christina and Leslie. Now, over 30 years later, she is following three mantras that her father left her: do your homework and follow through, make a plan and execute it, and be good at your job.
Beatrice, seemingly named after the groundbreaking Beatrice acquisition, curated by Christina’s father and became the first Black-owned billion-dollar company, offers a single-family office experience to clients and an innovative and tech-savvy approach encouraging clients to tailor investments around individual goals. Its current offering includes three key services: investment management, client advisory financial planning and proprietary investments.
However, Lewis isn’t just stopping there and plans to expand over time.
Former Vice President and Financial Advisor at Shufro, Rose & CoMichael Hymes, will serve on the executive team as Managing Director and Head of Client Advisory. According to a press release, Bowen spoke highly of Lewis’ leadership and said she is excited to be a part of a “new level of autonomy.”
“Meeting clients where they are now and where they will be tomorrow while providing them with a new level of autonomy is what makes Beatrice’s offering exciting,” Bowen said.
“Christina has demonstrated a unique ability to ignite meaningful change, and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her and the team on building a truly differentiated set of solutions for our clients.”
The new investment firm owner also serves as the vice chair of the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation and holds the title of executive producer on an upcoming biopic surrounding her father’s life named after his autobiography “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?”
Celebrating and appreciating fathers, especially Black dads, on Father’s Day is a wonderful gesture. Most families will go all out for Mother’s Day. Yet, dads don’t always get the same attention on their special day. With that, here are eight affordable ways to dote on your father while keeping the expenses reasonable.
(Photo: Pexels)
Handmade Gift
Tap into your creativity and make a handmade gift for your dad. It could be a personalized keychain, a painted picture frame, or a customized mug. Handmade gifts show thoughtfulness and effort, making them extra special.
Volunteer or Donate in his Name
Whether your father is living or has passed, you can honor your father’s life by giving back to the community or supporting a cause that was important to him. This can be an amazing surprise for your father or a loving way to honor his memory. Volunteer at a local charity or donate to an organization he cared about. This act of kindness in his name can be a beautiful way to carry on his legacy and make a positive impact, just as he did during his lifetime.
Handwritten Letter
Write a heartfelt letter expressing your love and gratitude for your dad. Share specific memories and qualities you appreciate about him. Handwritten letters are personal and meaningful gestures that can be cherished for years to come.
(Photo: Pexels)
Plan a Movie Night
Choose your dad’s favorite movies or ones that reflect his interests. Set up a cozy movie night at home with popcorn, snacks, and drinks. Spend quality time together watching movies and enjoying each other’s company.
Offer a day of relaxation
Let Dad unwind and relax on his special day. Create a spa-like atmosphere at home by running a bubble bath, giving him a massage, or setting up a cozy corner where he can read his favorite book or watch a movie. Sometimes, the gift of relaxation is the most appreciated.
Take care of his usual house duties
Give him a break from his usual responsibilities by taking care of his “chores” for the day. Whether it’s mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, or cleaning the house, taking the load off his shoulders will make him feel appreciated and loved. It will also let him know you pay attention to how he keeps a clean and safe home.
(Photo: Pexels)
Homemade Meal
Prepare your dad’s favorite meal or organize a family barbecue. Spending time together and enjoying a delicious homemade meal is a heartfelt way to celebrate Father’s Day without breaking the bank.
Create a Memorial Tribute
For those grieving their fathers, this holiday can be emotionally heavy. You may still want to honor your dad and find a tradition that carries on during your lifetime. One way would be to create a memorial tribute celebrating your father’s life. You can gather photographs, videos, and mementos that remind you of him and create a collage, scrapbook, or digital presentation. Share it with your family or close friends, and spend time together reminiscing about the special moments you shared with your dad.
Remember, the most important aspect of celebrating Father’s Day is demonstrating your love, appreciation, and thoughtfulness toward your father. Choose gestures that align with his personality and interests to create a truly meaningful experience for him or his memory.
The CDC Offers ‘Your Diabetes Compass’ For Black Women With Type 2 Diabetes
Through the Your Diabetes Compass website, Black women gain access to diabetes self-management education and support services.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has designed the Your Diabetes Compass, a pioneering tool tailored specifically for Black women with type 2 diabetes.
With 1 in 4 Black women over 55 living with the chronic disease, the Compass tool aims to provide invaluable information, resources, and support to navigate the challenges of managing the journey with type 2 diabetes. Recognizing the disproportionately high rates of type 2 diabetes among Black women and their low participation in personalized support services, the national public health agency designed the website with their unique needs in mind.
Your Diabetes Compass welcomes Black women to create customized guides recommending resources based on a quick self-assessment. They can also use the tool to explore a range of diabetes support topics.
Monitoring Diabetes
“While not everything is within your control, monitoring can help you better manage diabetes,” the CDC states. Under this topic, Black women can access tools and information to keep track of blood sugar, A1C, eating habits, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Additionally, the Monitoring Diabetes page offers Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) and other resources focused on stress levels and overcoming challenges. A blood sugar monitor log is available to download straight through the website.
Reducing the Risk of Complications
“Living with diabetes can be stressful, especially since it may also increase your risk for other health problems such as heart disease, vision loss, and kidney disease,” the agency states.
Through the Reducing Risk of Complications page, Black women with diabetes can take several steps to avoid other health complications and stay healthy. Resources include information on health and well-being, regular checkups, foot and eye care, blood sugar, vaccinations, talking about feelings, and practicing healthy habits. The CDC designed a Healthy Checkup Checklist to help keep track of appointments and check-ins.
Creative Eating and Cooking
The Compass tool covers information on what to eat and what to limit when living with diabetes. According to the CDC, “While what you eat has a big impact on managing diabetes, this doesn’t mean the end of delicious and satisfying food.” The Creative Eating and Cooking page offers tips on making healthy dishes, covering diet topics like carbs, proteins, and fats. The page recommends meals, eating goals, and portion sizes. Additional tips cover grocery shopping and eating while traveling.
Increasing Physical Activity
The CDC reminds Black women living with diabetes that regular physical activity is a crucial part of managing blood sugar. The page is dedicated to making changes in the daily routine to increase physical activity as a way to feel healthier and energized. Information explains what it means to be physically active and its benefits. As the CDC emphasizes starting safely, it also advises ways to keep fitness routines fun and convenient.
The page provides motivation and encourages consistency, even in the smallest changes. Women can find haircare and workouts through the Increasing Physical Activity page.
Getting Quality Care
A strong diabetes healthcare team should be respectful and open with information and communication. The CDC designed this page to ensure Black women seek quality care. Through a series of questions, Black women can access information and resources to connect with primary care providers and other diabetes specialists vital to their journey. It provides links to connect with Black doctors and culturally-aware medical professionals. The agency has also extended resources to help individuals prepare for medical visits effectively.
Finding the Right Provider
On this page, Black women can assess their current healthcare providers and take action to find providers suitable for their specific needs. The page guides visitors through insurance coverage recommendations and questions to ask during medical visits. Steps are provided for preparation before meeting with a healthcare provider. Online search tools like the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) or the American Diabetes Association assist with finding local education programs.
Creating Community Support
Black women don’t have to manage their diabetes alone with the CDC’s Community Support page, which states, “the feeling of community a person has is one of the best ways to predict how well they will manage their diabetes, as help from family, friends, and others can reduce health risks.” On the page, individuals can find support in various ways. Formatted as a module, Black women can navigate the information as they find a peer support group and connect with communities of people managing chronic diseases. Information extends to family and friends who desire to learn ways to be more helpful.
Living With Diabetes
Explore common mental health outcomes associated with stress and diabetes, like anxiety, depression, and diabetes burnout. A chart allows individuals to use the information to identify and understand stress-related symptoms. Self-care tips have been added as a resource to manage stress levels and lower the risk of illness. Individuals can click through different topics like the body, mind, spirit, and more as they practice self-care as part of their diabetes plan.
Through the Your Diabetes Compass website, Black women gain access to diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) services, connecting them with trained specialists who can provide guidance, attentive listening, and continuous support in navigating daily self-care. According to the agency, research shows diabetes education helps lower blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, enhancing overall well-being and diminishing the likelihood of developing diabetes-related complications.
Additionally, the CDC’s YouTube channel offers a series overview of the Your Diabetes Compass tool for Black women living with diabetes.
This initiative builds on the CDC’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate the public about prediabetes. In 2016, they partnered with the Ad Council, American Diabetes Association, and American Medical Association to launch the “Do I Have Prediabetes?” campaign. The campaign’s messages are strategically designed to reach all U.S. adults aged 40 to 65, focusing on communities most impacted by the chronic condition.
Mirror-Like Cybertruck May Cause Accidents On The Road, Nothing Illegal About Appearance
Tyson Garvin's Cybertruck went viral because of the mirrorlike exterior, but has caused concerns about road hazards
The Tesla Cybertruck has been in the news lately because of its futuristic look. An owner of the new vehicle polished the stainless-steel exterior to give it the look of a giant mirror on the road. He stated he did so to help with the fingerprint stains that appear on the Cybertruck, but social media users were concerned that it presents a road hazard due to several possibilities. However, traffic experts stated that even if this is the case, it’s not illegal, according to Business Insider.
Tyson Garvin’s Cybertruck went viral in May because of the mirror-like exterior. When social media saw how the vehicle looked, some voiced concerns. One included the potential that other drivers on the road would have their vision blocked if their car’s headlights bounced back in their sight, affecting their view. Concerns also included the possibility that the vehicle can blend in with the environment it’s traveling in.
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Garvin admitted to the media outlet that he shared similar concerns.
“Reflective glare may pose the same problem for other drivers as headlight glare, but I am not aware of any research documenting whether this leads to or is associated with increased crash risk,” David Zuby, the chief research officer for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, expressed in an email to Business Insider.
Yet, there is still the possibility of accidents occurring due to people marveling at the vehicle and its mirror-like exterior. It can also lead to drawing the attention of law enforcement.
Martin A. Kron, a New York traffic court attorney and former judge, stated that he had never had to deal with any issues related to a car’s paint job in 38 years.
“Although there may not be a spelled-out legal prohibition against it, in the real world, if you’re driving a customized car, you’re asking to be pulled over,” Kron said.
The vacation season is almost here. But before you finalize your plans, pause and make sure you’re not practicing behaviors that could jeopardize your credit.
Getting caught up in vacation mode—and the charge frenzy that often accompanies it—is how many of us get into trouble. Here are four ways to keep your credit in tip-top shape while on vacation:
Don’t apply for retail credit cards
Getting a 10% discount on your purchase really isn’t worth it in the long run. Opening a new account could spell trouble for your credit score because the length of your credit history makes up 15% of your FICO score. The older your credit age, the better, as it shows a long history of credit management. Opening a new credit card account will lower your overall credit age, and consequently, your score. Applying for credit also means that there will be an inquiry on your report. Inquiries make up 10% of your FICO score.
Be cautious when shopping online
If you’re shopping for gifts online, make sure that you only visit websites that you’re familiar with or that you’ve done business with in the past. Don’t just give anyone access to your credit card number.
Don’t overcharge
Be mindful of how much you’re spending. If you won’t be able to repay the amount you charge at the end of the month, reconsider your purchases. Charging too much on your card will cause the amount you owe to spike. Amounts owed account for 30% of your FICO score.
Don’t forget to pay your bills
It might seem obvious, but it’s easy to forget to pay your bills when you’re traveling and visiting relatives. Set up reminders in your calendar or automatic bill payments so that you won’t miss a payment and get a negative mark on your credit report. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score.
