Registered Nurse, 69-Year-Old Grandmother , Career, Hospital, Doctor
by Stacy Jackson

May 14, 2024

69-Year-Old Grandmother Fulfills Lifelong Dream By Becoming A Registered Nurse

The Georgia grandmother leaned on her family and colleagues for support.

An Albany, Georgia, grandmother named Loretta Mack, 69, has fulfilled a lifelong ambition by becoming a registered nurse.

“I did it,” Mack told WALB News.

Having worked as a certified nursing assistant for six years, Mack’s journey toward becoming an RN didn’t come without its challenges. However, she persevered, driven by her love for people and the desire to take care of them. Mack believed that assuming the role of a registered nurse would allow her to be “a great example” for others.

Encouraged by a resource nurse, Mack embarked on her dream of becoming an RN, surrounded by a supportive village. Travel nurse Heather Jackson extended her contract to serve as Mack’s preceptor nurse. She was drawn to Mack’s kind spirit and fun-loving personality. “[Loretta] doesn’t just come in and blow through your room,” Jackson told the outlet. “If there’s something that needs to be done, she’s going to do it. [Loretta’s] going to make sure that you’re clean, that you’re fed, that you’re taken care of, and she will sit and talk to you, too.”

Mack’s family also played a crucial role in her support system throughout her journey to achieving her dream. “From my sister, from my grandson Ramondo, from my grandson Julian. Everybody helped me,” she said. Mack also acknowledged the doctors who took the time to assist her with practice tests and homework. “It was like everyone was waiting for Loretta to finish school,” she said.

The long-awaited accomplishment has filled the nurse with encouragement, which she will now extends to others.

“Age is just a number. I don’t know who thought of that, but it’s just a number. I feel that at any age, you can do whatever you set your mind to do. If you really want to do it, you can do it,” Mack said

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student loan forgiveness, fresh start program, idk, forgiveness, Connecticut student loans
by Kemberley Washington, CPA

May 14, 2024

Just Graduated College? It’s Time To Tackle Your Student Loans

Student loan debt is now more than $1 trillion and continues to rise. For many younger Americans, it has become the largest household debt.

Originally Published June 18, 2018.
Student loan debt for many recent college graduates is becoming the norm. Student loan debt is now more than $1 trillion and continues to rise. For many younger Americans, it has become the largest household debt.
A Federal Reserve Bank of Michigan report states that 30% of all Black student borrowers default on their student loans after entering college. This is true even of students who earned a bachelor’s degree, including 75% of borrowers who dropped out of for-profit colleges.
Although the statistics are grim, you don’t have to become a statistic. Being informed and proactive can help you manage your loans and create wealth for life as you embark on your career journey.

 The First 3 Things to Know About Student Loan Debt 

Forgiveness programs

The Department of Education offers forgiveness programs to help borrowers with student loan debt. These programs include the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and the Teacher Loan Forgiveness (TLF) programs, both of which are designed to alleviate the student loan burden.
The PSLF program is available to borrowers who work full-time in public service jobs. Federal, state, and local government jobs qualify (including certain nonprofit employers), as do jobs with tax-exempt nonprofits. Borrowers must make 120 qualified payments before they are eligible for forgiveness of the remaining loan balance. The TLF program is available to teachers who teach full-time for five complete and consecutive years at certain elementary and secondary schools, and other qualified educational institutions that serve low-income individuals. To determine if the school you teach at qualifies, visit the Teacher Cancellation Low-Income Directory.

Get an understanding 

After graduating, get an understanding of your student loan providers. If you are unsure who holds your student loans, visit the US Department of Education’s website. This will guide you in determining the next steps to better manage your student loans. In addition, also consider Sallie Mae’s Manage Your Loan portal. This provides borrowers with various tools to manage payments, apply for deferments, and additional tools to get a handle on their loans.

Payment options

Generally, borrowers are not responsible for payments until six months after graduation. If, at that time, you are having difficulties making payments, contact your loan provider as soon as possible. Borrowers may be able to request a deferment or forbearance, which allows users to postpone payments until a later date. Keep in mind that the main difference between a deferment and forbearance is that you may not be responsible for making interest payments with a deferment (there are some exceptions). Either way, keeping your provider in the loop is a good idea. Doing so can protect your credit and provide payment options to tackle your student loan debt.
—Stacy Tisdale and Robin White Goode contributed to this article.
Keke Palmer, webby, awards, Tyler Perry,
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 14, 2024

Keke Palmer, Shannon Sharpe, And More Hit The Stage To Accept Their Webby Awards

Keke Palmer, Shannon Sharpe, Jerrod Carmichael, and more take home big honors at 28th annual Webby Awards.

The 28th annual Webby Awards took place on Monday, May 13, where Keke Palmer, Shannon Sharpe, Jerrod Carmichael, and more hit the stage to accept their accolades.

A few of the year’s top internet personalities, visionaries, and activists attended the star-studded ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City where Palmer, Sharpe, Carmichael, Laverne Cox, and many more took home big honors. The event was hosted by “Late Night with Seth Meyers” writer Amber Ruffin who brought the funny with her opening monologue, nightlong jokes, and spoof of Meatloaf’s classic song “I’d Do Anything for Love.”

“Tonight we’ll be honoring the best in websites, apps, podcasts, games, and branded entertainment. Basically, we are honoring all the best ways to procrastinate,” Ruffin jokingly told the crowd.

Her take on Meatloaf’s classic 1993 ballad comedically sent a farewell to the people, places, and things that have become “obsolete or uncool,” like Tesla Cybertrucks, Truth Social, NFTs, and rapper Drake. Palmer looked stunning in a cream-colored corset with a matching satin skirt. She was present to accept her Webby Special Achievement Award for the success of her platforms “Baby, This Is Keke Palmer” and KeyTV.

“I’m blessed to do this,” Palmer said during her speech.

President of the NAACP, Derrick Johnson, presented Sharpe with the Webby Advocate of the Year Award and applauded the NFL champion for his impact on sports commentary, advocacy, and the success of his “Club Shay Shay” podcast.

“No one is requiring him to give back to the world. But Shannon does so because he requires himself to do so,” Johnson said.

Comedian Lil Rel Howery presented Carmichael with the Webby Outstanding Comedic Performance Award. The “Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show” star accepted the award while telling the audience to “risk everything every time.”

Actress and activist Laverne Cox moved the audience with her acceptance speech for the Webby Award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Podcasts. She credited “The Laverne Cox Show” for being “Healing, collective trauma, necessary, possible.”

The full list of Webby Award winners can be found HERE.

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Michigan, Supermarket, Family Fare
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 14, 2024

Michigan Woman Discovered Living On Roof Of Supermarket

"There was some flooring that was laid down. A mini desk, her clothing, a Keurig coffee maker, a printer, and a computer—things you’d have in your home."

A Michigan woman found a way to live rent-free. According to NBC News, police officers in Midland were notified by contractors that a woman had made herself a home in the small space of a local supermarket’s store sign on top of the roof. The contractors saw her on April 23. Police officers said she was living there for about a year.

In her “home,” she had flooring, a computer, a desk, a printer, a Keurig coffee maker, and a food pantry, said Brennon Warren, a spokesperson for the Midland Police Department. The space was reported to be 10 to 15 feet long, 5 feet wide, and approximately 8 feet tall.

The woman left but police officers did not charge her for being in the space. Police did not identify the woman.

“We made contact with her and she was advised she was not allowed to live there,” Warren said. “She was formally trespassed from the store and was provided with information on services within our area, however, she did not wish for any of those.”

The Associated Press identified the store as a Family Fare located about 130 miles north of Detroit.

The woman told police that although she was homeless, she did have a job. She was able to obtain electricity using a power cord that was plugged into an outlet on top of the Family Fare roof, Warren said.

Before the woman left the scene, “we provided her with some information about services in the area,” Warren added. “She apologized and continued on her way. Where she went from there, I don’t know.”

According to MLive, days after the woman was discovered, “the supermarket chain made a $10,000 donation to Midland’s Open Door crisis shelters and soup kitchen.”

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Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Fans , 'Damn' Album, Rap
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 14, 2024

Kendrick Lamar’s Album, ‘Damn,’ Soars On Billboard Charts Amid Lyrical Battle With Drake

Lamar's 2017 album has reached Top 40 status on the Top Streaming Albums chart with a recent entry at No. 36 from previous high of No. 44.

Many hip-hop fans have claimed Kendrick Lamar as the winner amid his lyrical battle with Drake. But who is winning on the Billboard charts?

According to Forbes, since the two recording artists traded barbs with each other, the fans have been tuning in over the war of words and taking their interest to the music charts. Music fans have been listening to more Lamar songs over the course and in the aftermath of the lyrical sword fight. Sales and streaming numbers for the “Humble” lyricist have increased and set a new high on a Billboard chart for one of his previous albums.

On a new chart that Billboard recently introduced, Lamar’s 2017 album, “Damn” has reached new heights on the current week’s Top Streaming Albums chart. The chart is a weekly ranking of the country’s most-streamed full-length albums.

The album came in at No. 36, up from its previous high on the charts at No. 44, making the album a Top 40 entry. Lamar had another project, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City,” released in 2012 on the list at 47 before the “Damn” album moved its way past that entry.

“Damn” also jumped up on the Billboard 200 chart by elevating from No. 49 to No. 41. The numbers went up almost 6% when it moved an additional 18,370 equivalent units, according to Luminate. But, that’s not all. The album returned to the top 10 of the Top Rap Albums chart when it rose from No. 14 to No. 9, while also moving up on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums list when it jumped from No. 19 to No. 12.

Apparently, the battle may be officially over, according to XXL.

In an Instagram Story entry by Drake, he wrote, “Good times. Summer vibes up next” possibly eluding to him bowing out to maybe work on the next project.

Also, a post on X by Top Dawg Entertainment, the label that released Lamar’s previous projects, called the battle over while promising a celebration of 20 years of TDE.

RELATED CONTENT: Kendrick Lamar and Drake Allegedly Let Content Creators Use Music

Brand name, company name, tips, name, search, marketing, SEO
by Black Enterprise

May 14, 2024

4 Ideas To Choose The Perfect Company Name

Here are tips on choosing the perfect name for your business and your brand.

Originally Published June 16, 2016.

When choosing a company name, you want it to be creative and different—but don’t forget to make it simple as well. Too often, people name their companies thinking only about what they want it to be called, rather than considering how potential clients will receive it. Remember, the name of your company is the first impression of your brand. As the founder of a public relations agency, here are my top tips on choosing the perfect name for your business and your brand:

Make It Easy for Them to Find You

Honoring your grandmother or another relative in a company name is sweet and meaningful to you, but it could confuse your clients. If your company includes a name that is not your own, clients will always think you are someone else, no matter how much time and money you spend on PR or advertising. I have had many clients with company names that don’t match their own, and I often find myself starting to type an email to them using the wrong name—and I know them personally! If name confusion happens to someone they work closely with, imagine how often they’ll be called the wrong name by new and potential clients.

Convey What Your Company Does

Make it easy for potential clients to recognize the service that you offer or the products you sell. While there may be a personal story or an inside joke that led to the creation of your company name, clients do not know that!

Be Unique and Memorable

You want the name to stick out in your clients’ minds to ensure that they will remember you in the future. Be different, but not too different. A distinct company name will help you and your business, but a name that is different to the point of strangeness will turn clients off. Don’t get too creative with spelling, either. People will spell your company name the way that makes sense to them when researching online. Keep in mind that your company name is your domain, which is also typically your email address. Choose an easily spelled name and save your colleagues and clients the frustration of bounce backs and lost emails.

Pick a Name That Feels Right to You

My company began when I saw the need for wedding PR in my industry. I was so inspired that I came up with the concept of launching the first wedding PR firm to represent wedding businesses. Literally, being “inspired” helped me come up with my name. I wanted it to be something people could feel after they read the name, visited my website, and followed my social media accounts, so it was fitting to name my company Be Inspired PR.

Intention is important when choosing your company name. It will dictate how you are searched, referenced, and remembered. If you think your company name isn’t working for you, don’t be afraid to make a change. A bad name will hurt your business more than rebranding with a new name, so make the switch now to maximize sales and grow your brand as quickly as possible.

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Written by Leila (Khalil) Lewis’  for BusinessCollective

Zendaya, Law Roach
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

May 14, 2024

Law Roach Name-Drops Designers That Wouldn’t Style Zendaya

Law Roach has styled Zendaya since the dynamic duo met in 2011.

Law Roach revealed what designers he and muse Zendaya will not work with. The stylist exposed the fashion houses that refused to style the actress early in her career.

Roach shared the details in a new interview with The Cutting Room Floor podcast. He relayed how some high-profile clothing brands would decline the opportunity to dress the young star. He claimed the “big five” companies thought Zendaya was too “green” in Hollywood to receive outfits.

“I would write the big five,” said Roach, as reported by Variety. “I would write Saint Laurent, Chanel, Gucci, Valentino, Dior, and they would all say, ‘No, try again next year. She’s too green. She’s not on our calendar.”

Zendaya rose to fame following her starring role in HBO’s Euphoria. Since then, her meteoric rise in Hollywood and fashion led to two Emmy wins for Best Actress and a co-chair position at this year’s Met Gala.

Roach continued, “I still have the receipts. By the time she got to [the cover of] American Vogue [in 2017], she still had never worn any of those designers. She still hasn’t.”

While she has not donned any of those brands’ looks on the red carpet, she has worn them at photo shoots. However, Roach thinks she will steer clear of making her carpet debut with them for a while. According to the famed stylist, one “no” is enough.

“She still has never worn Dior on a carpet. She still has never worn Chanel on a carpet…still never worn Gucci on a carpet — any press, any appearance, never. Never,” explained the 45-year-old. “The first time she wore Valentino in public is when she had a contract…When I said, ‘If you say no, it’ll be a no forever,’ that rang true for a long, long time.”

Despite the hard stance, Zendaya and Roach continue to make waves in fashion. The duo are also rising in their respective careers as they push out new looks together. While Roach has styled Zendaya during her newest films’, Dune and Challengers, press tours, he also will co-host E!’s OMG Fashun with Julia Fox. The fashion competitive series debuted on May 6.

RELATED CONTENT: ‘Maxxinista’ Celebrity Stylist Law Roach Partners with TJ Maxx on Accessible, Designer Fashion At Not-Luxury Prices

Sabrina Elba
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 14, 2024

Sabrina Elba Boasts About The African Ingredients In Her New Skincare Line

Sabrina and Idris Elba have a new skincare line inspired by the African ingredients she used to combat acne as a teen.

Sabrina Elba has a new skincare line on the market inspired by the African ingredients her mom used to combat her acne-prone skin during adolescence.

The UN Goodwill Ambassador and entrepreneur has teamed up with her husband, Idris Elba, to introduce her new skincare brand, S’Able Labs. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the brand uses African botanicals to target skin conditions that people with melanated skin often face. Their signature African skincare, or A-Beauty line, is formulated using antioxidants like turmeric, okra, qasil, and black seed.

Among the skincare conditions S’Able Labs combats is hyperpigmentation, which Sabrina experienced during her teenage years and tried to treat with acids and products from Sephora. However, the products only made her condition worsen, forcing her mother to step in with her own natural skincare routine using the traditions of their Somali heritage. The results kept Sabrina’s skin breakout-free.

“I grew up watching [my mom] make [her] own products and face masks and DIY, everything in the kitchen,” she says. “I think that was probably, I mean for sure the influence that led me to adding these African botanicals into the [S’Able Labs] skincare range.”

Now, she’s happy to partner with her actor husband to launch a line of skincare made with African ingredients passed down from generation to generation, honoring their heritage.

“The fact that we come from East Africa and [Idris] is from West Africa and this sort of continental theme, African theme, this Pan-African theme … what I realized, and sort of become addicted to is these stories and heritage pieces around these ingredients and these customs,” Sabrina says.

The new product lines include an Okra Face Serum, a Qasil Cleanser, a Blackseed Toner, a Boabab Moisturizer, and a Qasil Exfoliating Mask. The prices range from $24 to $75.

“This has integrity behind it and an efficacy there,” Sabrina says. “And I want to show people that African ingredients are so powerful.”

RELATED CONTENT: Idris Elba Plans to Build Film Studio in Ghana

Shannon Sharpe, Shaquille O'Neal, Diss Track
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 14, 2024

Shaquille ‘Big Diesel’ O’Neal Releases Shannon Sharpe Diss

Shaq warns Shannon, "if you ain’t ranked in the top ten in your profession , then you can’t speak on Me.

Right on the heels of the epic hip-hop battle between Canada’s Drake and Compton’s Kendrick Lamar comes another beef between two different heavyweights that was totally unexpected. Shaquille “Big Diesel” O’Neal has verbally dissed Shannon “Shay Shay” Sharpe on a song he recorded and released on May 10.

According to The New York Post, this latest “battle” started after Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic won the NBA Most Valuable Player award for the third time in four seasons. When speaking to Jokic last week after he was announced as the winner, Shaq told Jokic that, in his opinion, he didn’t deserve the award and that Oklahoma Thunder star point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was more deserving.

Shaq told Jokic (whose nickname is Joker) on a recent episode of TNT’s “Inside the NBA,” “Joker, as the president of the Big Man Alliance—you are the vice president of the Big Man Alliance—you know I love you. The best player in the league, I want to congratulate you.”

“I want you to hear it from me first; I thought SGA should have been the MVP. That’s no disrespect to you, but congratulations.”

In response to Shaq expressing his true thoughts, Sharpe shared his thoughts on his podcast, “Nightcap,” while discussing the situation with Chad Johnson and Gilbert Arenas. Sharpe stated that O’Neal was jealous that he only earned one MVP award compared to Jokic getting his third one.

“Shaq is never brought up in [GOAT conversations],” Sharpe said. “And I think a part of him is envious of that.”

This set up Shaq to respond, initially on social media. Showing his disappointment in Sharpe calling him jealous, Shaq wrote on his Instagram account, “If you ain’t ranked in the top ten in your profession, then you can’t speak on me. Don’t forget I know what you did to get where you at. Me, jealous lol sounds like you jealous. I know you tryna stay relevant by gossiping on your podcast.”

But the NBA Hall of Famer didn’t stop there. He wrote a rap dissing the NFL Hall of Famer and posted it not even a day later.

He also tells his friends, who may be mutual acquaintances of the Hall of Famers, that he will not entertain having a sitdown with Sharpe.

Metro Boomin, Egypt's Great Pyramids, International, Global
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 14, 2024

Metro Boomin Makes History As First Producer To Perform At Egypt’s Great Pyramids 

Metro Boomin took his drums to Egypt where he made history as the first producer to perform at the Great Pyramids.

Metro Boomin took his drums to Egypt, where he made history as the first producer to perform at the Great Pyramids.

The “Superhero” hitmaker was the first hip-hop producer to perform for a crowd of thousands at the Great Pyramids complex in Giza, Egypt, on April 30, Complex reports. Metro performed a set list of his popular tracks on a stage near the Great Pyramid, the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure, and the Great Sphinx.

The St. Louis native shared a few photos he took in front of the only wonder of the ancient world that has survived to the present day.

The Billboard Music Award-winning producer teamed up with Billboard Arabia for the Egypt visit, which included a meeting with officials at the royal Abdeen Palace in Cairo and a performance at the Great Pyramids.

“From Missouri to the Middle East, Metro Boomin’s music transcends borders and generations — Billboard Arabia sits down with Metro Boomin at the Great Pyramids of Giza, to discuss his experience in the Middle East, his chart topping, collaborative albums with Future, “We Don’t Trust You” and “We Still Don’t Trust You,” Billboard Arabia captioned an Instagram post.

Metro announced the show in a tweet sent out early last month. The announcement comes amid Metro’s high-profile feud with rapper Drake. The “Like That” producer was called out on Drake’s diss track “Push Ups” when the Toronto emcee told the producer to “shut your ho* a** up and make some drums.”

When announcing his show in Egypt, Metro focused on “other news” rather than the rap beef.

Metro Boomin joins a small group of artists to perform at the Great Pyramids, including Grateful Dead’s 1978 three-gig series, later released as the live album “Rocking the Cradle: Egypt 1978,” and Shakira’s 2007 show for 100,000 fans. Rapper Travis Scott attempted to book a show at the pyramids last year but had it canceled due to “complex production issues,” Live Nation said at the time.

RELATED CONTENT: Hip-Hop Producer Metro Boomin’s Mother Killed By Husband

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