by Sharelle B. McNair

April 4, 2024

Global Black Pride Selects Atlanta To Host Its First-Ever Event In The U.S

This is going to be so much fun!

Atlanta has been selected as the host city for the first-ever Global Black Pride in the U.S.

This is not only the first time the celebration will come to the United States but also the second time it will be in person. The City of Atlanta LGBTQ Affairs posted the announcement on Instagram, touching on why this event is so important. “As a platform that amplifies the voices, experiences, and achievements of Black LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, Global Black Pride offers a unique opportunity for unity, visibility, and advocacy,” the post said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by City of Atlanta LGBTQ Affairs (@coalgbtq)

Scheduled for Aug. 26 through Sept. 2, the weeklong event will include a number of festivities, including the Black Pride Parade, Human Rights Conference, Black Trans Rally, film festival, theater, workshops, dance parties, and performances. Atlanta City’s Director of LGBTQ Affairs, Malik Brown, says the city is proud to host such a vibrant event “as the LGBTQ capital of the South.” “Atlanta proudly stands as the LGBTQ capital of the South and a champion for human rights, not only in our region but on a global scale,” Brown said, according to Rough Draft Atlanta.

“We are honored to welcome the first-ever Global Black Pride gathering in the United States to the vibrant City of Atlanta.”

Global Black Pride was first founded in 2020 by Global Black Gay Men Connect (GBGMC) during the COVID-19 pandemic as the first Pride organization “that brings together Black LGBTQI+ communities across all continents to celebrate culture and diversity, providing a space for activists and community-based organizations across the globe to engage and reflect.”

The first in-person celebration was held in 2022 in Toronto, Canada, with a mission “to serve as a global platform to celebrate all Black LGBTQI+ diversity and to build a global movement to fight for freedom, liberation, and justice for all Black LGBTQI+ communities across the globe.”

On the GBGMC website, there is a place to donate to an emergency fund geared toward community members in the African nation of Uganda. Uganda passed anti-LGBTQ legislation, where penalties outlawing homosexuality include death and life sentences in prison.

Documents list same-sex intercourse with persons under 18, an “offender” who is HIV+, or a person who even identifies as LGBTQ as aggravated homosexuality. The organization’s Emergency Response Fund — in collaboration with Uganda Key Populations Consortium and Sexual Minorities Uganda — supports emergency relocation for individuals, stipends for food, housing stipends, medical care assistance, and home delivery assistance of HIV medications and other urgent needs.

Community members seem to be excited about the event coming to the “Peach State.” Comments under the post have promoted some things they want to see included in the celebration’s programming, such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, dancehall, and the house ballroom community.

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 4, 2024

Weathered Souls, Charlotte’s Only Black-Owned Brewery, Announces ‘Last Call’ As It Closes Its Doors For Good

Make sure to go out and support!

Charlotte’s first Black-owned brewery, Weathered Souls, officially closed due to financial woes just two years after the first pour.

In a Facebook post, the taproom encouraged everyone to come out for a “last call” on April 6 before shutting down for good. “It is with a heavy heart we announce the closure of our Charlotte brewery,” the post read. “Stock up on beer, bring your growlers, and come help kick our kegs. This is our last call in Charlotte. Here’s to the next chapter!”

The brewery has been facing financial troubles for a few months and has done its best to keep the business afloat. Its Instagram page showed a number of events, including a sold-out Black Trivia Night, Open Mic Night, and a comedy show, but co-owner Mike Holt said it was a “drain” to stay open.

They secured investors, however, increased inflation, pricey renovation invoices, and other operations factored in. “I desperately don’t want to close,” Holt said. But it’s been a drain on the entire company. Bottom line, my funds are exhausted, so it’s time to accept the reality.”

The brewery announced in December 2023 that it would shut down the restaurant’s kitchen but keep the taproom open.

Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, Weathered Souls ventured into Charlotte in November 2022. At the time, they were the only Black-owned brewery in Charlotte, adding to the minimal number of African American owners in the craft brewery space. A 2019 survey from the Brewers Association revealed Black brewery owners make up less than 1% of the United States. But co-owner Zachary Holt still wanted to make a change. “I did not see very many customers or employees that looked like me or represented me,” Holt said.

“Change is definitely available, but we have to keep it at the forefront. We have to keep wanting it because if you come in once and you enjoy the space—and you leave and don’t come back—it’s hard for places like this to survive.”

Weathered Souls is the second Black-owned brewery in Charlotte to close in the past five years, following Three Spirits’ closing in 2019.

Executive director of the Charlotte Independent Brewers Alliance, Jenny Sassman Waters, released a statement following the closure news and acknowledged the number of breweries shutting down in the Queen City. She uplifted the employees and stakeholders who are going through this trying time but wants beer lovers to stay vigilant in the hope that Charlotte’s scene continues to flourish. “Brewery closures sometimes involve more than meets the eye and should not be an indication that our local industry is struggling or oversaturated. With a diverse array of breweries continuing to thrive and innovate, Charlotte remains a hub for craft beer enthusiasts and a testament to the spirit of entrepreneurship in our city,” Sassman Waters wrote.

“We encourage Charlotteans to continue supporting their local breweries, whether they’ve been established for years or are just starting out.”

party, event, planning, marketing, Juneteenth, Unify fest

by Janell Hazelwood

April 4, 2024

It’s Not Just A Party: Quick Tips For Young Events Entrepreneurs

Nowadays, just putting together a club night at your local hotspot won't make you a heavy hitter in the events and marketing industry

Originally published Dec. 13, 2012

Many party promoters cash in their take from the door admissions or the bar—if they’re lucky. But what about giving people a full experience that will ensure long-term wealth and business success? Nowadays, just putting together a club night at your local hotspot won’t make you a heavy hitter in the events and marketing industry. It’s a good idea to become a brand that offers a multidimensional experience that stands out from the rest.

Take a cue from someone who’s made it happen, Solomon Nnanna. Nnanna and his fellow executives and staff offer marketing, entertainment, and other lifestyle services for clients. With over 15 years in corporate planning, he offers a few quick tips to help you forge success in event planning:

Motivation:

“Never let someone who has never done it tell you it can’t be done. Starting a business is very stressful, and there will be failures along the way, but the level of success you achieve will be determined by how quickly you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep trucking.”

Relationship-Building:

“Our startup capital came from my personal savings, but because of the relationships we were able to cultivate, Royalty Lifestyle Group remained sustainable and, soon after, profitable.”

Brand Reputation:

“People are more inclined to work with you if they feel you have their best interest at heart. [Their] time is valuable. Be careful with burnt bridges and scorned associates because the business circle is small, and you never know where you might meet again.”

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 4, 2024

Michael Jackson’s Estate Calls Out Misleading Sale Of ‘Thriller’ Jacket

Michael Jackson's estate is calling out the bogus auction of a "Thriller" jacket the late King of Pop never wore.

Michael Jackson’s estate has called out the bogus auction of a “Thriller” jacket the late King of Pop never wore.

A letter sent out on Tuesday, April 2, questioned the Gotta Have Rock and Roll (GHRR) auction house for selling a “Thriller” jacket Jackson never wore during the production of his famous 1983 music video, TMZ reports. There are only two genuine “Thriller” jackets worn by the legendary singer, and one was sold for nearly $2 million over a decade ago.

GHRR’s auction page promotes the jacket as a “Michael Jackson 1983 Owned & Worn Thriller Style Jacket (Sotheby’s Provenance).” It was sold at Sotheby’s back in 1993 and is being auctioned by GHRR until Friday, April 12.

With an estimated final bid between $300,000 to $500,000, GHRR expects to earn big from the sale. However, as of Wednesday, April 3, zero bids have been placed since the letter from Jackson’s estate was issued.

The GHRR “Thriller” jacket is originally from the Frank DiLeo collection; DiLeo served as Jackson’s manager from 1983-1989. The jacket was eventually consigned to Sotheby’s in 1993 by a friend of DiLeo’s.

While the jacket is promoted as “owned and worn” in the auction title, GHRR acknowledges in the description that Jackson did not wear the jacket himself.

“This jacket was used by Jackson, but was not worn during the ‘Thriller’ music video,” the auction page declares. “The jacket is still an incredible item.”

While GHRR may consider the jacket “incredible,” MJ enthusiasts feel otherwise, hence the lack of bids so close to the auction’s end. In June 2011, the “Thriller” jacket Jackson actually wore during the filming for his coveted music video sold for $1.8 million at Julien’s auction in Beverly Hills, California.

The final bid was much higher than the estimated $200,000 to $400,000 auctioneers had expected. Part of the proceeds went toward the Shambala Preserve, where the King of Pop’s two Bengal tigers, Thriller and Sabu, had been living.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

April 4, 2024

New Report Warns Gen Z Is Broke With No Way To Retire

A new report warns that Gen Z has no income, limiting their retirement plans and future ability to purchase a home.

A new report described a gloomy reality for Gen Z. According to new data, most Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 are broke and have no means to retire or buy a home.

The job market is mainly to blame, with many Gen Zers unable to score a job. Research from the St. Louis Federal Reserve’s Institute for Economic Equity revealed that the current economic conditions thwart the growth of this age group. According to the report, more than a third of young people are bringing in zero income.

The concept of “disconnected youth”—those who neither work nor are in school—has also grown exponentially since 1998, according to the report. Disillusioned with education and its supposed benefits, this group is facing problems with financial stability. Currently, they make up 13% of Gen Z, as reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

According to Business Insider, these conditions could very well delay future plans for bigger purchases. A lack of income at the beginning of early adulthood can lead to later retirement and longer rental periods. While many in Gen Z rely on family or loans to complete school, those who are not in academia struggle with financial gains.

These statistics are also worsening income inequality. Gen Zers of color already face pay gaps and structural barriers that prevent them from obtaining high-earning jobs and building wealth.

However, the publication also noted that such racial wealth gaps hinder the economy overall.

“The report confirms that even during the tightest labor market since World War II, there is a limit to economic growth’s ability to reduce ‘structural’ unemployment that many young Blacks and Latinos face, plus a growing number of young whites,” wrote William M. Rodgers III, director of the St. Louis Fed’s Institute for Economic Equity, in an email to the publication.

He continued, “The research affirms the importance of investing in young people’s physical and mental health. Otherwise, the economy can’t operate at its highest potential today or into the future.”

As unemployment rates trickle back up to pre-pandemic levels, addressing these issues holistically is critical to Gen Z’s economic survival and growth.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

April 4, 2024

Lil Yachty Remixes ‘Menu Song’ For McDonald’s Canada Commercial

'Going from working at a McDonald's in Atlanta to collaborating on the Remix Menu Song with McDonald's Canada is a wild full circle moment'

McDonald’s released a commercial (video below) in 1989 that included the “Menu Song,” which fans of the restaurant recited often.

Now, hip-hop recording artist Lil Yachty has touched up the song to remix it and update the menu items for a new McDonald’s Canada ad released on April 2.

The original promotion was a 30-second ad on television when it debuted. It featured a McDonald‘s customer ordering all the menu items of the restaurant in song. Now, the song has been extended to a full minute and 30 seconds, and the Georgia-bred rapper has contributed his version of the song. He also orders at Mickey D’s but extends the song by adding several more verses.

Before Yachty achieved a career in the music industry, the man born Miles Parks McCollum was once a McDonald’s worker.

“Going from working at a McDonald’s in Atlanta to collaborating on the Remix Menu Song with McDonald’s Canada is a wild full circle moment that brought back memories and is such a reminder that anything in life can happen,” Yachty said in a written statement.

Now, until April 29, fans of the restaurant in Canada can go to their local McDonald’s to select items from the Remix Menu as they rap along to the updated Lil Yachty version.

The Remix Menu:

Chicken Cheeseburger: A combo of two classics featuring a crispy chicken patty made with Canadian-raised seasoned chicken AND a juicy 100% Canadian beef patty, all topped with a slice of melty processed cheddar cheese, a tangy pickle, onions, ketchup, and mustard on a toasty bun.
Surf ‘N Turf Burger: Made with two juicy 100% Canadian beef patties AND a crispy, flaky Filet-O-Fish® patty made with 100% Alaska Pollock, it’s also topped with two slices of melty processed cheddar cheese, tangy pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard on a toasty bun.
Sweet Chili Junior Chicken: Made with Canadian-raised crispy seasoned chicken topped with crunchy shredded lettuce, tangy sweet chili Thai sauce and mayo-style sauce, all on a toasty bun.
Apple Pie McFlurry®: Cool, soft vanilla serve swirled together with tasty caramel sauce and pieces of Baked Apple Pie.

The Remix Menu is available for a limited time only at participating restaurants, through the McDonald’s app, at the Drive-Thru, or via McDelivery.

1989 McDonald’s Menu Sung Commercial

The current Lil Yachty remix:

Cancer, North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 4, 2024

North Carolina State Alumni Reveal Reports Of Cancer Diagnosis Possibly Linked To Campus Building

This can't be good.....

A total of 152 cancer cases in people who attended North Carolina State University have been reported, sparking an internal investigation.

The Raleigh, North Carolina-based university is investigating student and alumni exposure to staggering levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a probable carcinogen, in a popular campus building that held classes. Shut down since November 2023, Poe Hall is said to have PCB levels more than 38 times above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) building material standards.

The detection was found in at least five rooms inside the building.

As students started to have symptoms, things spiraled. Education and psychology student Christie Lewis said she had severe night sweats and couldn’t figure out why. “I was finishing up my finals, and I was going in for a physical at the health center. … I was having night sweats for weeks and weeks before this, and I could not figure out what was happening,” Lewis said.

“I was having to get up in the middle of night, and change clothes completely. And then I would fall asleep. And I had to put a towel down. It took me weeks to tell my husband about them because I kept forgetting about it because it was just in the middle of the night.”

According to the EPA, PCBs are “probable human carcinogens” prone to negatively affect someone’s neurological, reproductive, immune and endocrine systems.

Attending the home of the Wolfpack between 2007 and 2012, Lewis was diagnosed with thyroid cancer while staying in school between 2011 and 2012. She later found a lump on her neck, resulting in medical professionals diagnosing it as a angiosarcoma – a cancerous tumor found in the inner walls of blood vessels and lymph vessels, which mainly support the immune system.

A free federal investigation conducted by The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), according to WRAL, was able to conduct medical exams, review illness reports, and collect samples. However, in January 2024, the investigation was abruptly called off, raising questions about why.

Several days after Poe was closed, the NC Department of Health and Human Services recommended the school request a Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE). The CDC confirmed two separate HHE requests for Poe Hall. However, NIOSH failed to conduct either without the school’s involvement.

In a letter from NIOSH official Dr. Dallas Shi, she wrote, “I explained that the North Carolina State University’s Office of General Counsel has asked us to stop our evaluation.”

She further touched on some frustration felt by NCSU employees who participated in the second evaluation request. “The requestor expressed concerns over a lack of communication and general distrust in management’s actions,” Shi continued.

“They also expressed concern about a lack of epidemiological analysis. I offered to relay these concerns to the North Carolina State University’s Office of General Counsel in a confidential manner.”

The school took some offense to those accusations, as Chancellor Randy Woodson released a statement that NCSU did not choose to pull out of the evaluation. “At no time has NC State requested that NIOSH close any HHE (Health Hazard Evaluation), and I’m reaching out to respectfully request a retraction of any statement to the contrary,” Roessler wrote to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Poe Hall was initially built in 1971, a period when PCBs were commonly found in construction materials. The medical cases have not been officially linked to the building; however, Woodson reaffirmed that an environmental investigation will be conducted to provide answers on health concerns.

Robert Smalls, statue, South Carolina House

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 4, 2024

Black Lawmakers Offended After Being Left Out Of Anti-DEI Bill Passed In South Carolina House

How do you have DEI initiatives without diversity?

The South Carolina House passed a bill restricting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at public colleges and universities, and Black lawmakers said they weren’t included in the proposal draft.

The Palmetto State GOPs celebrated an 84-30 vote on Mar. 27, passing the legislation after voting to restrict debate and prevent lawmakers from suggested changes. Black Democratic lawmakers refer to anti-DEI efforts as a “stand-in for fears of a woke bogeyman” while deeming DEI as necessary to guarantee schools meet the needs to increase diversity amongst student populations.

After bill sponsor, Republican Rep. Tim McGinnis said, “Everyone can be treated equally regardless of their background or their beliefs in the state of South Carolina.” Rep. Leon Howard, a lawmaker since 1995, said this doesn’t add up to boasting about equality, but limiting representation from its targeted audience. “We had no Black people involved in crafting this legislation, so y’all don’t know how we feel today,” Howard said.

“We feel some kind of way about that. We feel offended about that.”

The bill bans colleges from considering DEI factors when making decisions on student admission or hiring people; however, it lacks a solid definition of DEI. While the legislation allows colleges to keep DEI programs alive, the schools must report to the General Assembly on how much each program costs and how any complaints against them were resolved.

The good news is the bill will not conflict with grant applications or accreditation, which sometimes requires compliance statements with federal anti-discrimination laws.

Rep. Kambrell Garvin feels the bill adds to the growing discussion of continuing discrimination. “This bill stifles conversation,” Garvin said, according to ABC News 4.

“To me, there’s value in diversity, there’s value in equity, there’s value in inclusion. What this bill says is the progress and the strides that we have made obviously upsets many folks who have supported it.”

The lawyer and former educator added that the law makes things confusing for teachers and administrators regarding what’s accepted or not. “What this bill does is makes college professors and school boards all over our state uncertain about what is and what isn’t acceptable,” Garvin continued.

“If we have teachers who are teaching literally in fear that anything that they say can be misconstrued, they’re going to be less inclined to teach subjects that need to be fleshed out fully. That doesn’t advantage anybody. It’s a disadvantage to our learning environments.”

While Garvin thinks the legislation will cause more harm than good, the proposal must face the General Assembly’s session. With only six weeks left, the law is not a top priority, as two sessions will be focused on the state’s $13.2 billion budget.

DEI, tech companies, diversity, goals, achievement,

by Elisha Lowe RN, BSN, MBA

April 4, 2024

How Your Fear Of Planning Is Ruining Your Life And How To Fix It

If the thought of planning makes you shudder, you're not alone. Many people allow fear to stop them from planning and achieving.

Originally published Feb. 21, 2017

When my mom was going through an aggressive round of chemotherapy, she came to stay with me. Years before this, she appointed me durable power of attorney. This meant I had the responsibility of handling her medical, legal, and financial affairs in the event she was unable to. Because we had so many discussions over the years about her wishes, writing everything out was simple and only took a few minutes.

If the thought of planning makes you cringe, you’re not alone. Many people allow fears to stop them from planning and achieving.

Your Fears Are Limiting You

In January, most of us write new goals or make resolutions. By February, many of us are already sliding down that slippery slope toward not accomplishing them. Clients I’ve worked with become paralyzed by the thought of planning. They place way too much weight on the process. Planning is important, but it doesn’t have to feel heavy.

3 Excuses that Keep You from Succeeding

Fear of failure.
Apathy or indifference.
Lack of planning skills.

Some resist planning out of fear and wanting to avoid being wrong. Others don’t know and can’t see what they desire, so they become apathetic, saying things like, “What’s the point?” Then, there are people who say they want to plan but haven’t found the right system that feels easy. They believe they lack a special skill set to plan, so they don’t.

If you are using any of these excuses to avoid planning…stop.

Overcome Fear Using a Vision

In January, I spoke with Mignon Francois, owner and operator of The Cupcake Collection, an award-winning bakery in Nashville. We discussed one of our favorite books, Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.

Mignon said that one of the greatest principles she was implementing this year was using more time for herself. She set the vision and decided to employ the principle of working 196 days this year, or three to five days per week.

Decide on the Dream and Write It Down

Once Mignon knew what her dream was, she began to take on the feeling of working less by connecting to the thought that she could actually do it. In doing so, her mind opened to all the wonderful possibilities in front of her. She was able to spend more time with family, mentoring entrepreneurs, speaking, traveling, and writing her book.

Mignon suggests we not overthink the plan, which could lead to procrastination. She says take a few minutes and write it down.

Tweak the Plan as You Go Along

Ten years in business taught Mignon how to create efficient processes and delegate day-to-day operational tasks to trusted staff members. This allowed her the freedom to pursue other passions. As a result, she was able to start out this year by working less and creating more.

Making a plan does not guarantee success, but it focuses your attention. It helps you on your journey of getting from here to there. Planning helps prepare you for life’s crises and its celebrations.

Written by Elisha Lowe

Raven-Symoné, African American, show, the view, address

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

April 3, 2024

Raven-Symoné Was ‘Misunderstood’ When She Said She’s ‘Not An African American’

10 years later Raven-Symoné is working to clear up her 2014 declaration that she's "an American, I’m not an African American.”

Ten years later, Raven-Symoné is working to clear up her 2014 declaration that she’s “an American, I’m not an African American.”

The “That’s So Raven” star was being interviewed by Oprah Winfrey when she made a remark that sparked backlash across social media. Now, looking back on the incident, Raven-Symoné believes she was “misunderstood.”

“I wanna talk about something that has haunted me since 2014,” she explained on her “Tea Time With Raven & Miranda” podcast. “When that aired, I felt like the entire internet exploded and threw my name in the garbage. There was so much backlash from my community and others that misunderstood slash didn’t hear the exact words that I said.”

According to “The Cheetah Girls” star, she wasn’t disassociating herself from identifying as Black, she was focusing on the “logistics” of the country she grew up in.

“And the exact words that I said is that ‘I’m an American, not an African American,’” she continued. “A lot of people on the internet thought I said that I wasn’t Black, and I never said that. There’s a difference between being Black and African.”

Raven-Symoné explained her rhetoric further when her wife, Miranda Pearman-Maday, asked for clarity.

“When I say that African American does not align with me, that label, it doesn’t mean that I’m negating my Blackness or I’m not Black,” she explained.

“It means I am from this country, I was born here, my mom, my dad, my great-great-great-great-great — and that’s what I’m saying. The pure logistics of it.”

“The Cosby Show” star is fully aware of her Black ancestors’ history and knows “how much blood, sweat, and tears they’ve soaked into this earth in order to create the America that I live in today: free, happy, tax-paying, American citizen.”

Raven-Symoné noted how when she visits other countries, people identify her as “an American, plain and simple” and not “Look at that African American over there.” Looking back on the ordeal, the former child star says she felt “attacked,” “judged and not heard.”

“Stop mislabeling us,” she said.

The actress and TV star had also sat down with Winfrey in 2014 to come out about her sexuality, and said she didn’t want to be labeled as gay.

“I want to be labeled a human who loves humans,” she told the media mogul at the time.

However, she walked away from the interview dealing with new labels related to her Blackness.

“I said, ‘Don’t label me’ and it turned into that instead of my coming out,” Raven-Symoné said.