Nearly 40% Of Gen Z Workers Prone To Workplace Bullying As Return To Office Rises
Gen Z workers feel the impact of workplace bullying as return-to-office increases.
As return-to-office (RTO) trends this year continue to exceed pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, many American workers are being welcomed back with workplace bullying.
This is unusually true for Gen Zers, who report that behavior more than other employees. Almost four in 10 adults—38%— between 18 and 24 reported they have experienced bullying since going back to the office. To boot, 45% of them have witnessed “creepy” behavior since making the transition.
The findings are from a ResumeBuilder.com survey of nearly 600 workers at companies that shifted to remote work during the pandemic but now mandate in-office presence at least once weekly. The survey was intended to measure whether the employees were confronting a toxic workplace climate.
The menacing practice is surfacing as nine in 10 companies anticipate mandating that employees return to the office by late this year, according to ResumeBuilder. Some 30% of workers disclosed in the latest survey that the company culture has been toxic since the RTO policy was issued.
While men and women indicated recognizing bullying and creepy behavior at similar rates, Gen Zers were strikingly more likely to disclose such incidents.
In a news release, ResumeBuilder’s Resume and Career Strategist Julia Toothacre shared why Gen Z reported bullying or creepy behavior at higher rates.
“I think Gen Z is more aware of what it looks like than previous generations. Gen Z is self-aware, protective, and well-versed in therapy language.” She continued, “While older generations were told to just deal with it and rarely went against the organization, Gen Z will leave if they aren’t treated well.”
Matt Erhard, managing partner at the recruiting firm Summit Search Group, also reflected on this.
“It is very possible that other generations are experiencing bullying or toxicity at the same rates as Gen Z professionals, but Gen Z is simply more likely to call it out. I find Gen Zers have a lower tolerance for this type of behavior than older workers. They are also more dubious of the traditional workplace model overall.”
New Mural At Tate, Etienne, Prevost Center Center Vandalized Days After Unveiling
Within days of its unveiling, the mural was vandalized with black spray paint on two consecutive nights, beginning March 3.
In a disturbing act of vandalism, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is on the hunt for the individual or individuals responsible for a newly painted mural that was vandalized at the Tate, Etienne, Prevost Center (TEP) in the Lower 9th Ward.
The vandalization occurred over two nights with what appears to be the same person behind both incidents, according to WDSU News.
Established in 2021, the TEP Center holds a significant legacy, as it was founded by three of the four women who courageously desegregated schools in New Orleans as young girls. As part of the effort, renowned artist Brandon “B-Mike” Odums and youth from his nonprofit Eternal Seeds were commissioned to paint a mural depicting the three women in their youth and adulthood. But within days of its unveiling, the mural was vandalized with black spray paint on two consecutive nights, beginning March 3.
Dr. Leona Tate, one of the legendary “New Orleans Four,” expressed her dismay. “Why someone thought to write all over it already, I have no idea. It sends me the signal that either racism is still alive or someone has not been educated on what we do here.” She added, “These were children who painted this. It’s heartbreaking to them.”
However, she and her colleagues remain undeterred. “It’s fixable,” Tate said about the vandalized mural. “I’m praying it doesn’t happen again.”
On Feb. 26, the TEP Center took to Instagram and welcomed the NOLA community to stop by and visit the new exhibit. “Yesterday was nothing short of amazing!” it captioned a video of the mural and unveiling ceremony. The center expressed its gratitude to the artists for the “amazing exhibit, collaboration, and…astonishing mural!” The caption continued, “Please be sure to stop by and see this wonderful mural in person! The TEP Center is open!”
“TEP Center is here to educate audiences about the desegregation of public schools across New Orleans,” Tate explained to WDSU News. In 1960, at the tender age of 6, Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne braved racism and abuse to attend McDonogh 19, while Ruby Bridges simultaneously integrated William Frantz Elementary.
Remarkably, decades later, Tate, Prevost, and Etienne now own the very school they helped desegregate.
By the end of last week, B-Mike and the Eternal Seeds youth had restored the mural to its original splendor.
The NOPD has assigned a detective to investigate the case; anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 822-1111.
The most important aspect of networking actually happens after your first conversation. You've attended a networking event. Now what?
Originally published Oct. 29, 2015
The most important aspect of networking actually happens after your first conversation. You’ve attended a networking event. Now what? You have a pocket full of business cards and QR codes and no idea what to do with them.
QR codes and business cards have no value if you don’t use them, so let’s go over some simple ideas to help you maximize the initial interaction you had with someone. A networking event is just the jumping-off point for starting a new professional relationship – your follow-up is the key to developing it. And since the clock starts ticking as soon as you meet, it’s best to start at step one within 24 hours.
Let’s get to it and learn how to follow up like a pro:
Send a Quick Email
Take each new contact’s information and craft them an email. Simply say that you enjoyed meeting them and try to reflect back on a point from the conversation.
“It was so nice to meet you at the Chamber of Commerce event last night! Best of luck with your son’s baseball championship this weekend!”
If you’d like to have a follow-up, you can say that as well – just add:
“We started to talk about the synergies we have in our prospecting and I’d love to continue that conversation. How does your schedule look next Thursday to grab coffee or lunch?”
It doesn’t have to be long or formal, but you need to move the ball forward.
Link In on LinkedIn
Since LinkedIn offers so many free tools to keep your contacts front-of-mind for you (and you to them), what’s the harm in connecting and seeing them pop up in your email on their birthday, when they have a work anniversary, or get a new job? All these are occasions for follow-up. So after you’ve met, link up on LinkedIn too.
Create “Reconnect Files”
After you have a follow-up meeting or phone conversation with someone you’ve met ,I suggest you create what I like to call “reconnect files.” They are handy, color-coded reminders that you can schedule once a month. Include some information about how you met and what you’ve discussed in the notes. When that name pops up each month, reach out to catch up, maybe set up another meeting, or send something that might be valuable; like an invite to another event, a great article, or an introduction.
It isn’t necessary to reach out to every contact every month they appear, but it’s a great way to stay in touch.
Remember Birthdays (and the Small Stuff)
Even if you don’t have your contact’s birthdays on file, Facebook and LinkedIn make it easy for you to reach out. Social media also provides other occasions to reach out. For example, is one of your contacts’ having a family celebration soon? A surgery? A child? Reach out and send your well wishes.
These small gestures will go a long way. They mean even more if you hand-write a note and mail it.
Give First and Expect Nothing in Return
During your initial meeting, did your new contact mention a need overtly or in passing? Perhaps they mentioned that their sibling is a job seeker? If so, maybe you can follow up and inquire about what he/she wants to do and ask for a résumé to pass to a few possible connectors or companies who are hiring.
This is one example of many possible scenarios, but what’s important is to seek out opportunities in which you can help someone with a need they have. Take the lead and expect nothing in return (most people are wired with a reciprocity mentality); continue to do this and you’ll grow a positive reputation as someone who pays it forward. People will be attracted to you and will want to help you in return.
Set Up a One-on-One Meeting
Be clear about your intentions for any meeting beforehand so the other party can prepare accordingly. Ideally, make it somewhere that is convenient for the other person, or worst case, midway between you both, easily accessible, has plenty of parking, and will have a quiet (enough) space for you to talk. The first one-on-one meeting is about further developing your rapport with your new contact. Rather than forcing your agenda on them by leading with things about you and your business, let them ask.
Use the Power of One Connection to Open Many Doors
Any contact with whom you interact knows hundreds, if not thousands, of other people. This makes the power of your conversation exponential. Remember: when you’re talking to someone, you’re actually speaking to their entire network. The same goes for them with you.
So once you’ve developed real trust with someone, you’ll want to be more intentional about how you help them. If someone is looking for a job, a business lead, or some other tangible introduction, open up your list of contacts to them. There is even a handy export tool on LinkedIn’s free version whereby you can download all of your contacts and share their name, company, and position with your new connection so they can identify people themselves.
However you do it, sharing your list allows you to reach back out to others in your network to offer a potentially valuable introduction. Once you’ve warmed up the third party on the connection, close the circle and make the warm introduction.
Use Tools Beyond LinkedIn
A favorite tool of mine is HARO (Help a Reporter Out). You’ll get three emails per day with opportunities from press outlets to be quoted or featured in their stories. It’s great to use yourself, but also to share with your contacts who are a good fit.
There you have it: eight simple steps to master the art of networking follow-up. It’s always best to work on one new habit and get it down before going to the next, so consider breaking up these tips and adding one to your calendar every couple weeks. That way, you can slowly and naturally integrate them into your follow-up routine.
Carlee Russell, Alabama Woman Who Faked Kidnapping, Moves Forward With Plea Hearing
The 26-year-old faces jail time.
A plea hearing for Carlee Russell, who made headlines last July for faking her own kidnapping, has been set for March 21. The news follows the cancellation of a state trial to appeal her municipal conviction on the matter.
Russell pleaded not guilty in October 2023 for the charges of false reporting to law enforcement authorities and falsely reporting an incident. However, Hoover Municipal Judge Brad Bishop delivered a guilty verdict, recommending she serve a year in jail and nearly $20,000 in restitution and fines. Judge Bishop’s decision was advised by the state’s prosecution, confirmed by AL.com.
Since the 26-year-old faces jail time, her initial appeal of the verdict could have led to a jury trial. This step seems to be unlikely given the latest update of a plea hearing instead. Russell’s defense originally stated they would proceed with an appeal due to the jail recommendation, which they considered harsh for the misdemeanor charges.
Russell went missing the night of July 13 after calling Hoover police to report a small child wandering along Alabama Interstate 459. While on the phone with a family member, Russell was heard screaming, yet was unable to be found on the scene.
After national concern and an intense search for the college student, Russell appeared at her parents’ home two days later. After initially telling her story to police, investigators later discovered that no kidnapping actually occurred.
In Alabama’s state government, lawmakers are continuing to push for a new law that would crack down on false abduction claims, especially after the national outcry from Russell’s incident. The bill would make faking a kidnapping a Class C felony eligible for up to 10 years in prison, per ABC 3340.
Her lawyer, Emory Anthony, could not comment further on what the plea hearing entails, or if Russell will move forward with actually serving time in jail.
Antonio Brown’s Bizarre Social Media Antics Continue
Brown has had quite the run on social media lately, and even though his football career is in the rearview mirror, he clearly still wants the spotlight to remain on him and his behavior.
It doesn’t seem as if Antonio Brown will ever beat the CTE (chronic traumatic encephalitis) allegations. After posting a cartoon image of himself and Taylor Swift kissing, re-engaging in his one-sided beef with retired NFL quarterback Tom Brady by posting a picture of himself embracing Brady’s ex-wife Gisele Bündchen and claiming that he knew the pair were on the outs, the wide receiver posted a picture on Twitter/X insinuating that LeBron James had a threesome involving Los Angeles Lakers executive Jeannie Buss, and a collection of photos that appear to show President Joe Biden sniffing the hair of various girls and women. He also is reportedly refusing to comply with a court order to pay a jeweler for diamond-studded finger covers.
Brown appears to be playing up his self-diagnosis of CTE as many of his recent controversial posts contain the hashtag #CTESPN.
The 35-year-old Brown, as Complex reports, has also claimed himself that he suffers from CTE, which he bizarrely used to justify a woman in a September 2023 video licking him.
Brown has had quite the week on social media, and even though his football career is in the rearview mirror, he clearly still wants the spotlight to remain on him and his antics.
Brown’s AI-generated cartoon image of Swift is relatively benign in comparison to the sexually explicit AI images of Swift that made their way around Twitter/X earlier in the year. In response to the image, Twitter/X has now restricted Brown’s post, but it had already been reposted and quoted nearly 4,000 times and generated 10.1 million views. Deepfake images are images of famous people engaging in behavior that fits the fantasies of the creators of those artificially generated images, which can often appear to be real. Deepfake sexually explicit content, such as that targeting Swift earlier this year, is such a pervasive problem that as Wired reports, Google has received complaints concerning approximately 30,000 URLs.
LeBron James, who was out of action when the Lakers played the Milwaukee Bucks on March 9, sat between Jeannie Buss and Linda Rambis. At one point, Buss laid her head on James’s shoulder, which lead some to speculate that she was flirting with James, a viewpoint that Brown seemed to agree with. Brown posted a photoshopped image of James in bed between two white women, with the caption “He Got Game 2.”
And, Brown set his sights on Bündchen, who recently confirmed rumors that she was dating Joaquim Valente. Brown, seemingly responding to this, posted a picture of himself and Bündchen embracing following the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl win in 2021 with the caption “Did AB know Already” followed by a winking emoji, suggesting that he had an understanding of Bündchen and Brady’s impending divorce after Brady initially retired and then unretired to play football for one more season, a choice which reportedly cost him his marriage to Bündchen.
Brown continued his social media antics by appearing to nominate himself for president before taking aim at both Joe Biden and Donald Trump with memes and photos. Even though he also targeted Trump, his criticism of Biden, whom he referred to as “Cracker of the Day,” created buzz online because he shared photos that appeared to show the president sniffing the hair of girls and women. Brown also tagged President Biden in the post. On top of this, Brown jabbed at Biden for mispronouncing the name of Laken Riley, a college student who was killed by an illegal immigrant. Biden called her Lincoln Riley during his State of The Union Address, seemingly confused Laken Riley’s name with that of USC head coach Lincoln Riley.
A Piece Of Home: Jamaican Seamstress To Open Storefront In Avon Park, Florida
The seamstress prepares to open her storefront Akduash Attire in Avon Park and fulfill a lifelong dream inspired by her mother.
From humble beginnings as a seamstress in Jamaica, Rochelle Kinney is bringing her fashion brand Akduash Attire to Avon Park, Florida, mere months after arriving in August 2023.
According to Highlands News-Sun, the fashion entrepreneur is opening a storefront and fulfilling a lifelong dream fueled by her mother’s footsteps. The brand name “Akduash” originates from a combination of her children’s names: Akeen, Dujon, and Ashley. Her evolving aesthetic, however, reflects personal growth from risque party attire to more relaxed linens and pantsuits. “I think it also has to do with me growing, and I’m becoming older, she said about her style shift. “I want to be associated with something else now, and that’s why I think I’m turning towards that.”
With a five-year growth plan, including major retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom, progress at the storefront is underway, and Avon Park residents have already expressed interest.
Kinney’s journey began at age eight in coastal Port Antonio, sewing her first outfit for her cousin — “an elastic waist skirt.” She reflected, “I started sewing professionally from back home when I was about 18 years old” to provide for her and her child.
Renowned locally for elaborate dresses and alterations, Kinney’s passion expanded when she immigrated to the U.S. in 2016. She initially found work through the Port Antonio community in Massachusetts. However, she took a hiatus as a nursing assistant upon relocating to Quincy, where her reputation didn’t precede her.
A move to Tampa, Florida, with her husband rejuvenated Kinney’s passion in 2020. “I started making a few prom dresses and then advertising them locally, and then a lot of people started coming in,” Kinney said.
Still, her storefront vision persisted, and she is dedicated to replicating that from Jamaica.
The 100 E. Main St. property, undergoing repairs for a predicted March opening, will showcase her creations, fulfilling Kinney’s long-held dream.
Bounce But Don’t Break: How To Own And Overcome A Crisis
No matter how successful we are in business, life can, without our permission, drop a bombshell that we never saw coming or could have been prepared for.
Originally Published May 27, 2015.
No matter how successful we are in business, life can, without our permission, drop a bombshell that we never saw coming or could have been prepared for.
Renee Hornbuckle thought she was ready, equipped, and prepared for practically anything. Through the lenses of many, she was considered “successful” from the external side of things: successful marriage, thriving ministry, fruitful relationships, and lucrative business. But her house of cards came tumbling down after a jolting scandal broke that her then-husband and pastor was facing multiple allegations of narcotics possession and gross sexual misconduct. Paralyzed with a real-life scandal that included shame, suffering, and sorrow, not to mention the spiraling loss of finances, relationships, and possessions. Hornbuckle had to choose to either rise above her crisis or collapse into it.
Hornbuckle now serves as a crisis intervention strategist and CEO of Insight Development Strategists to share experiential wisdom in confronting, managing, and overcoming crises. The woman of faith, who has written several books, including Sustained and Suffering in Silence, has an executive career that spans 30 years in strategic management, organizational leadership, crisis intervention, analytic capability, staff training, development, and mentorship.
“Troubles don’t ever come at a convenient time,” she says. “They actually tend to come at times of inconvenience, as an interruption when we least expect it. The truth is that as much as we desire for things to be just right in life, there will be troubles and unpredictable adversity. The bigger question becomes, will you be ready?”
When you are faced with a crisis or suffer loss, recognize that there are three phases in the experience: Shock, acceptance, and adjustment. Hornbuckle shares the following practical crisis coping list to empower you through the process to a healthy, functional, and rational recovery:
Focus only on what’s important. Take it one hour, day, or even moment at a time.
Get enough sleep and rest your body and mind. If you are exhausted, you won’t be able to process information effectively to make smart decisions.
Try to maintain some type of normal routine as best as possible. This is of utmost importance if you have children. Their daily routines should continue as best as possible.
Remember that regular exercise helps relieve stress and tension. Even if it’s just a walk or relaxation exercises.
Eat a balanced diet. Limit high-calorie and junk food. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Avoid consuming alcohol, medications, or other drugs in excess to mask the pain. Once the effects of alcohol and drugs wear off, you still have to face the facts!
Find the right sources to talk to, especially those who have lived through and survived similar experiences. Make sure they are individuals who have the capacity to comfort, sustain, and recharge you.
Don’t be ashamed to consult a licensed professional or speak with your pastor or trusted counselor.
Give yourself time and permission to heal. You will have some challenging days, and that’s perfectly alright. Just don’t let these temporary challenges begin to paralyze you.
Do something you enjoy: Journal, paint, cook, travel, and spend quality time with family and friends to relax, unwind, and refresh.
Remember the coping skills you have used to survive former losses. Draw upon these inner strengths again.
5 Black Women Who Are Shaking Up Politics And Paving The Way For Change
Black women have been making power moves in politics for the last 60 years, going back to 1968, when Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to be elected to Congress.
Black women have been making political power moves for the last 60 years, going back to 1968, when Shirley Chisholm became the first Black woman to be elected to Congress. Since then, several Black women have followed in her footsteps, making waves in the political arena.
Source: (Photo:Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
1. Jasmine Crockett
Jasmine Crockett, a freshman congresswoman from Dallas, has been using her social media platforms to make an impact and control her own narrative. According to the Texas Tribune, Crockett’s online reach is bigger than every other Texas Democrat except for Joaquin Castro, the brother of one-time presidential candidate Julian Castro. Crockett’s outspoken nature has garnered a few viral moments, like a clip of her remarking that Donald Trump kept boxes of classified documents in the Mar-a-Lago bathroom. Crockett said, “These are our national secrets, looks like, in the sh*tter to me.”
That off-the-cuff clip went viral on social media, notably Reddit and TikTok; one user’s edit of the clip, set to music, amassed over 8 million views on the app. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Maryland) told the Tribune that Crockett uses her training as a lawyer on social media uniquely, combining that with a down-home Texan charm. Crockett now holds the seat that her deceased predecessor, Eddie Bernice Johnson, a legend in Texas politics in her own right, occupied before her retirement. Crockett’s fire on the floor is partly owed to her insistence that she is not looking to stay in Congress long-term, and it comes through in how she approaches speaking on the Congressional floor. Olivia Julianna, a 21-year-old Texan and political activist, summed up Crockett’s appeal to younger voters, saying, “That’s why people respect her so much, because she says what a lot of people are thinking, but they don’t have the platform to say.”
Source: Public Domain
2. Rep. Cori Bush
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO), another Black woman unafraid to say what she thinks, garnered praise after winning the right to represent St. Louis’s first district in 2021 after coming to prominence as a Black Lives Matter activist. Bush seems more idealistic than Crockett, unafraid to go it alone even if she has no backup. As part of the “Squad,” the nickname for Bush, Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and other more progressive members of Congress, Bush can lean on at least one of the others for support, or support them in their hour of need.
As Axios reports, Bush and the other members of the Squad are pushing for President Joe Biden to take more decisive action on Palestine. Bush has been one of the loudest and most consistent voices calling for a permanent ceasefire instead of the rebranded pause the Biden-Harris administration is promoting. That call extends to the guest Bush invited to the State of The Union Address, Intimaa Salama, a Palestinian dentist from St. Louis. Salama has had many members of her family killed during Israel’s bombing of Palestine.
Source: (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call)
3. Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Pressley made history in 2018 when she became the first Black woman elected to represent the State of Massachusetts in Congress. Her win was not determined by her policy platform but her grassroots outreach in the 7th District, the only one in the state that is majority non-white. Northeastern political science professor Costas Panagopoulos told News at Northeastern that Pressley “won by cultivating a constituency that was looking for new leadership and new leaders.”
Panagopoulos said, “What’s more, she energized the kinds of voters—minorities and young people—who don’t typically vote in large numbers, and the outcome shows us they did.”
Pressley also used her State of the Union guest invitation to call attention to the fact that debt relief is a racial and gender justice issue by inviting Priscilla Valentine, a teacher who had served in Boston Public Schools for several years. Pressley told WBUR, “Two-thirds of this $1.7 trillion crisis are on the shoulders of women, and it’s [also] a racial-justice issue because Black and brown students borrow and default at higher rates.” Pressley also criticized Walgreens for closing a predominantly Black and Brown neighborhood pharmacy in Roxbury. In her statement to the House Speaker, Pressley said, “When a Walgreens leaves a neighborhood, they disrupt the entire community, and they take with them baby formula, diapers, asthma inhalers, life-saving medications, and, of course, jobs. These closures are not arbitrary, and they are not innocent. They are life-threatening acts of racial and economic discrimination.”
Pressley continued, “That is why I joined with Senators Markey and Warren to demand answers from Walgreens’ CEO. Why was there no community input? No adequate notice to customers? And no transition resources to prevent gaps in health care? Shame on you, Walgreens.”
Source: (Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
4. Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) has been a stalwart progressive in the State of California for many years, most clearly evidenced by her staunch opposition to the 2001 Iraq War when many, even other liberals, were busy beating the drums of war. According to Esquire, Lee’s response to President George Bush’s request for an open-ended request for Authorization For The Use Of Military Force to respond to 911 reflected an understanding of what could happen after this moment passed.
“It was a blank check to the president to attack anyone involved in the Sept. 11 events— anywhere, in any country, without regard to our nation’s long-term foreign policy, economic and national security interests, and without time limit. In granting these overly broad powers, the Congress failed its responsibility to understand the dimensions of its declaration. I could not support such a grant of war-making authority to the president; I believe it would put more innocent lives at risk.”
Lee’s presence and her politics have reflected the inner lives of Black women, as she told the Los Angeles Times after her loss in the “jungle primary” to replace Dianne Feinstein’s seat in the Senate after California Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed his ally, Laphonza Butler, a Black woman who led Emily’s List, to Feinstein’s seat. Butler opted not to remain in the seat. Lee said, “I’ve been persistent, and every step of the way, there have been roadblocks and obstacles. But again, this is such an example of a Black woman’s life.”
Black women in California have been pushing for more representation at the highest levels of government for some time, and Lee has been a critical part of that push. Lee was among the first in Congress to call for a permanent ceasefire in Palestine. Lee told the Times that she is aware that her courage has inspired other Black women, who often tell her that they know there is a racism and sexism barrier in California politics when it comes to Black women. “So many of them would come up and whisper to me, ‘I know what the deal is.’ It’s a common conversation Black women have,” Lee said. “When you step out and do something that others didn’t think you should do as a Black woman, then you get a lot of pushback.”
Source: Public Domain
5. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Delaware) has been fighting for the rights of people in Delaware for years. As a result of her tireless fight, she received a glowing endorsement from the Human Rights Campaign PAC and its president, Kelley Robinson. “Representative Blunt Rochester has spent years breaking down barriers to access and equity for Delawareans and for herself. I commend my sister in the movement for steadily advancing equity and opportunity and representing the often thankless hard work Black women do nationwide to preserve our democracy and build a better tomorrow for those who come after us. As a widow, mother, grandmother, and public servant, Lisa knows the importance of providing economic security and greater opportunities for families.”
If Blunt Rochester is elected to the Senate, she will become just the fourth Black woman to become a Senator.
Congresswoman Blunt Rochester led the sponsorship of the Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students Act (JOBS Act) along with former Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) and other colleagues, and she was named the official lead sponsor of the bill. The JOBS Act is a part of Blunt Rochester’s larger Jobs Agenda, which helps create policies aimed at expanding affordable housing, criminal justice reform, workforce training programs, and assisting supply chains.
“I was proud to introduce the bipartisan JOBS Act last year with former Representative Johnson to increase access to Pell Grants for students across the country to grow their skills and secure good-paying jobs all while reducing workforce shortages and strengthening our economy,” Blunt Rochester said in a statement in February. “Today, I am equally as proud to have stood before my colleagues to take leadership of the bill, and I will continue to work across the aisle to garner support for this critical legislation so that young people across the country are prepared to do the jobs of today and the jobs of tomorrow.”
These five Black women are involved in helping to create change and inspire more Black women to step into the political arena. They follow in the footsteps of both their immediate predecessors and in the footsteps of trailblazers like Chisholm. As demonstrated by Lee, Black women face specific hurdles on their paths to political power. However, they still keep pressing forward because they know that there are those who are watching them push up against and eventually break the glass ceiling in politics.
‘The Family Business’ Unveils Star-Studded Ensemble, Led by Lela Rochon and Yvette Nicole Brown, For New Orleans Spinoff
The popular drama "The Family Business" has assembled a star-studded ensemble for its New Orleans spinoff.
In an exciting development for fans of Carl Weber’s gripping crime drama, The Family Business, the New Orleans spinoff has a star-studded ensemble, according to Deadline.
Joining the previously announced Brandon T. Jackson, Lela Rochon takes on a leading role alongside a diverse lineup that includes David Banner, Yvette Nicole Brown, Orlando Jones, and Stan Shaw.
The spinoff, currently in production in New Orleans and Los Angeles, for BET+ does not have a premiere date. Both Jackson and Rochon will serve as associate producers on the highly anticipated project.
Based on Weber’s bestselling crime drama book series, The Family Business chronicles the lives of the Duncans, a close-knit family led by L.C. Duncan (Ernie Hudson). By day, they run an exotic car dealership in New York, portraying an upstanding facade, but by night, their involvement in illicit activities comes to the forefront.
The New Orleans spinoff introduces viewers to “Midnight Blues,” an underground casino and club nestled between Old Town New Orleans and the prestigious suburb, Parrish of Gator Lake. The establishment, a local favorite for jazz enthusiasts, tourists, and celebrities, becomes the focal point for a brewing turf war. Big Shirley Dunca (Rochon) finds herself at the heart of the conflict, along with her younger brother Floyd (Pooch Hall) and son Marquis (Jackson).
Big Shirley’s family is embroiled in a generational struggle for control over Midnight Blues. When a mysterious death occurs there, the clan faces a formidable adversary, Jean LeBlanc (David Banner), an emerging underworld boss. In an attempt to shield her family from the escalating danger, Big Shirley sends Marquis to New York to seek the assistance of family members who run an international crime syndicate.
Nikaya D. Brown Jones assumes the role of showrunner and executive producer, collaborating with Weber, who pens all episodes. Trey Haley serves as an executive producer and director, while Veronica Nichols directs some episodes. Carl Weber’s The Family Business New Orleans is a production of Tri Destined Studios and Urban Books Media.
Slick Rick, Nicki Minaj, And More To Display Their Jewelry In American Museum Of Natural History Exhibit
Iconic staples of jewelry throughout hip-hop history are set to be on display inside the American Museum of Natural History.
Iconic staples of jewelry throughout hip-hop history are set to be ondisplay inside the American Museum of Natural History.
To expand on New York City’s celebration of 50 years of hip-hop, the city’s famed Natural History Museum announced the “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip-Hop Jewelry” coming on May 9, a press release announced. Created to showcase the profound impact of hip-hop culture, “Ice Cold” highlights the art form’s influence through the tailor-made jewelry adorned by iconic figures like Slick Rick, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, and more.
A large variety of dazzling jewelry creations will be on display to take visitors on a visual journey through the evolution of hip-hop from the 1980s to the present day. Pieces include Slick Rick’s legendary gem-encrusted crown, the Notorious B.I.G.’s iconic gold ‘Jesus piece’, the ice-out Roc-A-Fella medallion that represented the record label co-founded by Jay-Z, and Nicki Minaj’s bejeweled ‘Barbie’ pendant.
Other rappers who have agreed to have their jewelry pieces on display include A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$, A$AP Ferg, Tyler, the Creator, and singer Erykah Badu.
“Ice Cold will truly spark a sense of excitement and curiosity into our world of jewelry and baubles as an extended form of hip-hop culture which has inspired the global stage as an extension of our art,” hip-hop icon and Ice Cold senior advisor Ricky “Slick Rick” Waters said.
“This collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History is a harmonious blend of creativity and cultural significance. I’m very honored to be a part of creating a unique and immersive experience for the Museum’s visitors in such a renowned space in the mecca of New York City.”
The exhibit will start with the oversized gold pieces rap pioneers in the 1980s used to shape the early stage of hip-hop culture and move into the 1990s when rappers turned into business moguls and started to use their jewelry to market their record labels. Following the art form’s exponential growth in the 2000s, the exhibit will show how rappers’ jewelry became more multi-colored and avant-garde to incorporate elements of hip-hop, pop culture, and high fashion.
“These jewelry pieces are not just magnificent in and of themselves, they’re an important part of hip-hop history and hip-hop culture as artists claimed and transformed traditional symbols of luxury and success,” Sean M. Decatur, President of the American Museum of Natural History said.
“Hip-hop jewelry has had a huge impact on our wider modern culture, and we are excited to provide our visitors the opportunity to see these remarkable pieces, especially in the context of our Mignone Halls dedicated to gems and minerals.”
