• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

August 20, 2024

Former Trump Allies, GOP Leaders Scheduled To Take The Stage In Support Of Kamala Harris At DNC  

Former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, former Trump White House national security officer Olivia Troye, and former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham are scheduled to appear.

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A host of current and former GOP leaders, including former President Donald Trump’s past allies, are expected to support presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention (DNC), NPR reports. 

Day one gave the DNC a great start, and high-profile Republican leaders are scheduled to address convention attendees, including former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, former Trump White House national security officer Olivia Troye, and former White House press secretary and aide to former first lady Melania Trump, Stephanie Grisham. 

The convention’s strategy lays out a feature the Harris campaign describes as “everyday Republican voices,” highlighting GOP leaders and their support for the vice president. Conservative commentator and self-described “ex-MAGA activist” Rich Logis gave remarks on Aug. 19 and told his breakup story with Trump. Close to two years ago, Logis moved on from supporting the indicted businessman after he failed to provide “leadership” during the COVID-19 pandemic. “So this is my message to all the Republicans and independents who are watching people like me who voted and believed in Trump,” he said. 

“I made a grave mistake, but it’s never too late to change your mind. You don’t need to agree with everything you hear tonight to do what is right.”

He now leads a group for former Trump supporters. 

According to CBS News, Grisham released a statement on her decision to speak at the convention. “I never thought I’d be speaking at a Democratic convention,” Grisham said. “But, after seeing firsthand who Donald Trump really is and the threat he poses to our country, I feel very strongly about speaking out.”

The former first lady’s aide resigned shortly after the Jan. 6 insurrection. Grisham admitted that while she doesn’t align with some of Harris’ viewpoints, she is “proud to be supporting her” presidential bid and added that Harris will “defend our freedoms and represent our nation with honesty and integrity.” Attendees will also hear from Republican leaders, including former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, John Giles. 

Giles made headlines in early August 2024 when he spoke at a Harris-Walz campaign rally in Glendale, Arizona, where he admitted that as a lifelong Republican, he doesn’t recognize his party. He spoke about the party being taken over by extremists and encouraged other GOP leaders and members to think before voting for Trump in November 2024. “I do not recognize my party…In the spirit of the great Senator John McCain, please join me in putting country over party and stopping Donald Trump,” Giles said while being applauded. 

While the first night of the DNC featured testimonials from former Trump voters, Austin Weatherford, the Harris-Walz campaign’s Republican engagement director, released a statement highlighting how the programming “is just the latest effort by our campaign to reach out to anti-Trump Republicans.” The statement also said the campaign will “continue reminding Republican and independent voters that Donald Trump doesn’t represent their values.”

The group, called “Republicans for Harris,” formulated a call in early August 2024 to hear from several high-profile Republican leaders, including Kinzinger, former Rep. Denver Riggleman, and past GOP White House officials.

RELATED CONTENT: Michelle Obama To Speak At 2024 Democratic National Convention

• Arts and Culture

by Stacy Jackson

August 20, 2024

Cultural Center Named After Chicago’s First Black Mayor Vandalized During DNC

The HWCC, a nonprofit impacting Chicago's youth, took a hit to the glass on Monday during the Democratic National Convention.

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Bronzeville’s Harold Washington Cultural Center (HWCC) has taken a hit after the nonprofit performance and arts venue was reportedly vandalized during the Democratic National Convention, which kicked off in Chicago on Aug. 19.

The HWCC, which celebrated 20 years in May, opened its doors in the Windy City to provide experiences, annual programs, and educational resources to Chicago’s youth. According to an image shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE, the facility must now recover from a massive crack in the glass on its exterior as it continues its efforts to extend opportunities for the next generation of artists and community leaders.

“This is disheartening that we were vandalized,” said HWCC’s Global Director Jimalita Tillman in a press statement. “Our young people and program participants are traumatized by having to walk up to the building and see such devastation.”

Housing a 1,000-seat theatre, the HWCC, named after Chicago’s first Black mayor, according to the Book Club Chicago, features a two-story atrium, labs for podcasts and video editing, a recording studio, and four dance labs. The cultural center has committed its 501(c)(3) organization to children, community, and culture, playing a significant role in the lives of over 25,000 youth program participants. Although Washington’s statue outside the HWCC was defaced in 2013, Tillman noted that before the Aug. 19 vandalism, the venue “has never been targeted in such a destructive manner.”

Choose Chicago noted that the venue was established over two decades ago as part of a revitalization project of the Grand Boulevard (S. King Drive) neighborhood. The state-of-the-art, 42,000-sq. ft. facility offers educational programs and services centered on arts and entertainment, business and performance management, digital recording, production, classical music instruction, marketing, development, and distribution. Bronzeville, also known as the “Black Metropolis” of Chicago’s South Side, was the hot spot for African American culture and business from the 1920s through the 1950s, WTTW reported. The facility sits on 47th Street, the spot that drew the best Black entertainment and a diverse crowd of people living in the black belt.

The HWCC is asking for support from the community as it works to restore the damage caused during the first night of the Democratic National Convention, which, as BE previously mentioned, returned to Chicago for the first time since 1996. Donations for the HWCC are welcome through Givelify.

View a virtual tour of the “beloved community gem” above.

• Entrepreneurship

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 20, 2024

Snoop Dogg Releases 2 New Flavors To Celebrate First Anniversary Of Dr. Bombay Ice Cream

Baked Blueberry Muffin and Peanut Butter Jelly Time are just the latest flavors in Snoop's ice cream line.

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Snoop Dogg has been seemingly everywhere, even appearing at the Olympics in Paris this summer. Right before he embarked on doing his thing at the Olympics, the rapping entrepreneur celebrated the first anniversary of his Dr. Bombay Ice Cream products by introducing two new flavors, Baked Blueberry Muffin and Peanut Butter Jelly Time.

The ice cream line is available at Walmart and debuted July 2023, and expanded to many other retailers, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Kroger, Ralphs Market, ShopRite, Winn Dixie, City Market, Dillons, Pavilions, Star Market, Northgate Market, Cardenas Markets, and various other retailers.

The latest flavors were released to coincide with National Ice Cream Day on July 21 (the third Sunday every year in July):

• Baked Blueberry Muffin: A throwback flavor that transports you to grandma’s kitchen. The Baked Blueberry muffin is a mouthwatering creation that ignites your taste buds with cinnamon sugar ice cream, crispy, crunchy streusel, and decadent blueberry jam swirls. Baked Blueberry was inspired by Cordell Broadus, Snoop Dogg’s son and business partner.
  
  
• Peanut Butter Jelly Time: A delicious twist on a classic favorite, Peanut Butter Jelly Time features the creamy goodness of peanut butter ice cream and a refreshing grape sherbet sprinkled with peanut butter chips and swirled with classic grape jelly for a perfectly balanced pint. A nod to the viral early 2000s song, taking a bite is guaranteed to have you dancing.

Earlier this year, Dr. Bombay dropped another new flavor, Strawberry Cream Dream.

When the ice cream company launched last year, Snoop, in a written statement, said, “Ice cream is more than just a snack to me; it’s a way to chill, relax, and get happy. That’s exactly what I want Dr. Bombay Ice Cream to do—bring a smile to your face and ease your mind. I’ve poured my heart and soul into perfecting these first seven flavors, and I can’t wait for my fans and the world to experience what I’ve created. Fans will also notice that my sidekick, Dr. Bombay, is the name, face, and persona of this brand. That’s because he’s like a son to me, and you always want your kids to be more successful than you are. That’s my goal in building this lifestyle brand –- starting with ice cream.”

RELATED CONTENT:  Snoop Dogg Opens Smoke Weed Every Day (S.W.E.D.) Cafe In Amsterdam

• Celebrity News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 20, 2024

Jenifer Lewis, Danielle Brooks, Pinky Cole And More Are Mobilizing Support For Kamala Harris As Part Of ‘Win With Black Women’

Jenifer Lewis is among a group of Black women in Hollywood who are mobilizing their power to support Kamala Harris's campaign.

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Jenifer Lewis is among a group of Black women in Hollywood who are mobilizing their power to support Kamala Harris’s campaign.

Lewis was among the 44,000 Black women who participated in the history-making Win With Black Women Zoom call that raised over $1.5 million to support the vice president’s candidacy as the Democratic presidential nominee. On Sunday, Aug. 18, Win With Black Women held another Zoom call, where stars like Danielle Brooks, Andra Day, and Slutty Vegan owner Pinky Cole discussed ways to continue mobilizing their power ahead of the 2024 Democratic National Convention taking place in Chicago on Aug. 19-22.

“Often we think about people in the entertainment industry as something separate — yes, they have incredible talents, but they are American voters, too,” Win With Black Women Founder Jotaka Eaddy tells The Hollywood Reporter.

“They have families and lives they carry to the ballot box, and it’s always important to remember that they, too, are equally a part of this country and participate in this democracy, and it’s great to see them speak publicly and boldly about that.”

As part of their efforts, activations will be held throughout the DNC to unify voters and encourage them to make groundbreaking changes this election season. Win With Black Women is partnering with other Black women-led organizations to host a Sisterhood Lounge at the McCormick Center. Higher Heights For America, Sisters Lead Sisters Vote, and the Black Women’s Leadership Collective will all host talks with various Black women government leaders. Meanwhile, A-listers like Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn, and Ana Navarro will serve as DNC hosts.

Ahead of the DNC, Jenifer Lewis shared a video of herself singing one of her original tunes inside her living room. In it, she called out superstars like Beyoncé, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Jay-Z, Keke Palmer, and more to motivate their young followers to get out and vote.

“It’s Aunty!” Lewis crooned in a video shared online. “I need y’all to help me spread my quote. I need y’all to get these kids out and vote!”

For those wondering why? Lewis sang her reasoning.

“Because this election ain’t no joke. We gotta take this b*tch by the throat!”

Lewis has participated in the Win With Black Women calls and #CaregiversForHarris Zoom meetings. She will also travel with Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala (BWIE4Kamala) to Atlanta for activations at the historically Black colleges and universities of Spelman, Morehouse, Morris Brown, and Clark Atlanta University.

“I have a wonderful connection with the Gen-Zers and the Millennials because they sat on their couches and watched me as the auntie and the mother on all the Black movies [and TV shows], from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to A Different World and now as the Black-ish grandmother,” Lewis says. “They’ve grown up with me, so there’s a bond and a trust. They not only see me, but they can feel that I care.”

The veteran actress plans to do some serious canvassing before the November election and is using her near-fatal 10-foot fall from a balcony while traveling throughout Africa in 2022 as motivation.

“I’ll also be going down south to these battleground states to go door-to-door, post flyers on the corner, whatever I can do,” Lewis says. “I was too young in the ‘60s to fight, but what else do I have to do but give back at this point? That’s how I live now.”

Other Black women in Hollywood who are mobilizing their power include Evan Seymour Bain, who attended the Win With Black Women Zoom call and was inspired to create a WhatsApp group to share information and resources among women in the industry. Three weeks after the call, membership in the Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala (BWIE4Kamala) grew from 10 individuals to over 500 actresses, executives, journalists, content creators, and media figures.

“I wanted to create a way in which everyone can be engaged in ways that resonate most with them, from grassroots [efforts] up to writing $50,000-plus checks so that we can all do our part to help ensure that Kamala Harris is the 47th president of the United States of America and that Donald Trump stays the f*ck out of the White House,” Seymour Bain said. “We’re not going back.”

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Daniel Johnson

August 20, 2024

Harley-Davidson Clarifies They Have No DEI Initiatives In Social Media Post

The Milwaukee-based company announced in a statement posted to X on Aug. 19 that despite ditching diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, it is still committed to a broad customer base.

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Harley-Davidson has become the latest company to buckle to a targeted campaign by conservative anti-diversity critic Robby Starbuck. The Milwaukee-based company announced in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Aug. 19 that despite ditching diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, it is still committed to a broad customer base. 

According to CBS News, Starbuck began his campaign against the motorcycle company in July, writing on X that Harley-Davidson had “gone totally woke.” Of course, Starbuck was pleased that Harley-Davidson decided to end its policies aimed at ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion, posting a meme underneath the company’s statement captioned “We’ve done it again.”

In its statement, Harley-Davidson acknowledged that the attacks were designed to divide the Harley-Davidson riders’ community but clarified that there were no longer any official DEI programs at the company. 

“We are saddened by the negativity on social media over the last few weeks, designed to divide the Harley-Davidson community. As a Company, we take this issue very seriously, and it is our responsibility to respond with clarity, action, and facts.”

The statement continued, “That said, we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas, and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals. Training provided will be related to the needs of the business and be absent of socially motivated content. Only legally required training has ever been mandatory at Harley-Davidson.”

The statement concluded, “We believe having both a broad employee and customer base is good for business and that, ultimately, everybody should experience the joy of riding a Harley-Davidson. We remain committed to listening to all  members of our community as we continue on our journey together as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world.”

Christopher Rufo, another anti-diversity critic, chided conservatives to show their support of Harley-Davidson’s new policies instead of attacking them in his own tweet, “Conservatives: Now is the time to praise, rather than attack, Harley-Davidson. We need to punish bad behavior, but we also need to reward good behavior. When a company dismantles its DEI program, tell them you support that decision.”

Harley-Davidson’s statement, both an affirmation of and a rejection of Starbuck’s claims, reflects the conflict in Americans’ opinions about DEI initiatives. According to Fortune, although 61% of adults see DEI as a good thing, a majority of respondents in a survey conducted by Bentley University and Gallop also said that they didn’t want companies to take a stance based on current events, with the notable exceptions being Black adults, LGBTQ+ adults, and Democrats. The former groups tend to be targets of corporate DEI backlash, even if that is not a stated goal of conservative activists like Starbuck. 

In April, Axios summarized the rise and fall of recent DEI initiatives in response to the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 to the cascade of companies currently backing away from DEI due to their fear of conservative lawsuits or attacks, while others quietly stick with their efforts.

According to Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president of The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the reframing of DEI to just D&I reflects a reexamination of diversity initiatives. “A lot of companies were already doing this. There’s been the renaming, refocusing of, revisiting of, diversity pretty seriously over the last year. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing. We can’t come in and have a legitimate conversation with senior management when people are debating what the ‘e’ means.”

Others, like Alex Suggs, the co-founder of a DEI consulting firm, Different, postulated that SHRM’s stance could embolden more companies to back off of DEI commitments and investment due to its position as the leading human resources organization. “They’re in such a prominent position,” Suggs told Axios. “If they are backing away from equity, that’s giving a free pass to all the naysayers and giving more fuel to the fire of the backlash we’re seeing.”

RELATED CONTENT: John Deere Bows To Conservative Pressure, Ends Support For Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Initiatives

• Health and Wellness

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2024

Georgia’s Work-Required Medicaid Program Struggles To Register Members

Kemp's model remains the only one in the U.S. with the work mandate, first launched in July 2023 despite pushback from the White House.

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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s Medicaid Program, which has received flack for its work mandate, has struggled thus far with the number of sign-ups.

Kemp’s model remains the only one in the U.S. with a work mandate. It launched in July 2023 despite pushback from the White House. The Georgia Pathways plan requires participants to work 80 hours a month, including volunteer activity, school, or vocational rehabilitation. According to the Associated Press, Kemp remains adamant about pushing the venture despite falling immensely short of registration expectations.

The Republican lawmaker continues to promote the plan, most recently during a panel discussion on Aug. 19. He remarked that the controversial program would face hesitation yet emphasized his determination to get more Georgians on board.

“Being first is not always easy,” Kemp said. “We’re going to keep chopping and keep getting people signed up.”

However, its more than 4,300 members, counted in early June, misses the 25,000 member goal expected in the first year. Moreover, Kemp believes delays prompted by the Biden administration also contributed to the low numbers.

Pathways’ initial launch date in 2021 fell through after the White House objected and revoked the work requirement. Despite Georgia’s successful lawsuit to reinstate the work mandate, which a judge approved in 2022, the state still has a way to go before Pathways gets its footing.

Moreover, the Biden administration has denied thwarting Pathways’ efforts, stating it only intervened in the work requirement. Additionally, the federal government approved a plan to reduce premiums and increase competition in Georgia’s healthcare marketplace.

Notably, the program has struggled to market itself or reach eligible recipients. Despite this, state officials intend to combat this issue with a major campaign across Georgia, including on college campuses.

Opposers call for a full Medicaid expansion with no work requirement, which could help around 500,000 low-income Georgians. However, Kemp hopes to keep long-term costs down with his transitional plan. He intends for Pathways to be a stepping stone for recipients eventually getting private insurance.

• HBCU

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2024

Benedict College’s First Female President Gets Contract Extension In Historic Appointment

Artis will continue working on the college's B2 plan to take the South Carolina HBCU to new heights.

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Benedict College, an HBCU in South Carolina, has extended the contract of its first female president, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis. Artis will continue in the role through June 2031.

According to WLTX, Artis began her tenure in 2017. Her accolades include completing Benedict’s The B.E.S.T. five-year strategic plan within three years. Of her ongoing service to the college, Artis will remain a critical figure in its growth. Under her leadership, she hopes the current B2 plan will forge an even brighter future for the HBCU.

“The DNA of Benedict College is what makes all the difference. For more than 152 years, Benedict has served culturally, academically, financially, demographically, racially, and socially diverse people,” Artis wrote in the President’s letter.

“Our 2023-2028 Strategic Plan, B2: Focus on the F.U.T.U.R.E., is a bold vision that encourages our community to think beyond disciplines and differences: not as a set of things to do, but more of a reflection of who we are, and defining what we should be doing; –a document that states what we will do while being an example for other institutions to follow.”

The plan includes building a more inclusive campus, boosting student engagement, and ensuring its academic programs provide the necessary tools for students’ futures. Moreover, this plan intends to elevate campus facilities and resources.

The college, founded in 1870 by Bathsheba A. Benedict, will continue embarking on its new era while remaining true to its legacy as a woman-founded institution. The chairman of Benedict’s Board of Trustees also shared their pride in Artis’ leadership.

“We are exceptionally proud and fortunate to have such a strong leader guiding the College to higher heights and through the numerous challenges facing higher education institutions today,” said Chairman Charlie W. Johnson in a statement. “President Artis is keenly aware of the current issues students face, and she has demonstrated a deep commitment to providing students with formative learning experiences that prepare them to lead and succeed professionally and personally.”

With this contract extension, Artis hopes to fulfill her latest mission to advance Benedict College and its place among HBCUs.

RELATED CONTENT: NBA Player Dennis Smith Jr. Sponsors Upcoming HBCU Golf Tournament

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 20, 2024

Mizzou Students Told To Change Name Of ‘Welcome Black BBQ’ For More Inclusive Event

After months of fighting the issue, the group will proceed with the new name of "Welcome Black and Gold BBQ."

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A student group at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) was forced to change its “Welcome Black BBQ” event to a more inclusive name despite being catered to Black students.

The school’s Legion of Black Collegians shared an update on the matter on Aug. 17. After months of fighting the issue, the group will proceed with the new name of “Welcome Black and Gold BBQ.” They wrote how “heartbroken” they were that the university would not let them keep the original title.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Legion of Black Collegians (@mizzoulbc)

“The Legion spent several months fighting this decision and finding a way to preserve the original title and message,” detailed the post. “Although this is not the desired outcome, we still want the barbecue to remain a staple for incoming and returning Black students to make connections and find their space at Mizzou.”

According to ABC News, The Legion was established in 1968 following a racially charged incident at a football game. The song “Dixie,” which holds racist origins, played as students waved a Confederate flag. Since then, the Legion has provided a space for Black Mizzou students, describing itself as the “only Black Student Government in the nation.”

They added, “We are looking into all avenues to NEVER allow this to happen again. If it does, rest assured the Legion will have nothing to do with it. The erasure of the names and visibility of our events will continue to erode our presence on this campus, and we plan to do everything we can to divest from that.”

However, a school spokesperson emphasized that the name change better promotes an “inclusive university.”

“In striving for an inclusive university, we must not exclude (or give impressions that we are excluding) individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives,” shared spokesperson Christopher Ave.

However, this inclusive reasoning may stem from anti-DEI sentiment, which has condemned any upliftment of specific demographics, regardless of historical barriers. The current barbecue flyer explicitly states that all students, faculty, and staff can attend the event.

Mizzou also has a more recent history of racial tension on campus. Following racial slurs and other acts, such as cotton balls left at a Black student center on campus, protests erupted across Mizzou in 2015. One student went on a hunger strike, while many boycotted the school’s football team, including some of its own Black players. The school’s then-president, Timothy Wolfe, resigned after pressure from the demonstrations, as did the chancellor.

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