The billionaire media mogul is sitting down with medical experts and patients for ABC’s “An Oprah Special: Shame, Blame, and the Weight Loss Revolution,” per The Hollywood Reporter. In what will be Winfrey’s first prime-time special in three years, the OWN founder will explore “the radical impact” of prescription weight-loss medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy.
“It is a very personal topic for me and for the hundreds of millions of people impacted around the globe who have for years struggled with weight and obesity,” Winfrey said in a statement.
“This special will bring together medical experts, leaders in the space and people in the day-to-day struggle to talk about health equity and obesity with the intention to ultimately release the shame, judgment and stigma surrounding weight.”
The announcement of the special comes amid Winfrey’s decision to step down from the WeightWatchers board of directors following her admission of using a weight loss medication.
“I realized I’d been blaming myself all these years for being overweight, and I have a predisposition that no amount of willpower is going to control,” Winfrey toldPeople in December.
“The fact that there’s a medically approved prescription for managing weight and staying healthier, in my lifetime, feels like relief, like redemption, like a gift, and not something to hide behind and once again be ridiculed for. I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself … I now use it as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yoing.”
Just months before, Winfrey faced backlash after calling Ozempic “an easy way out” for losing weight. Although she stepped down from WeightWatchers’ board, she still owns 3,700 shares of its stock and will continue working with the company as a weight loss advocate.
Usher’s New Look And IBM Unite To Educate Underserved Youth On AI
Youth learners will gain access to over 1,000 IBM SkillsBuild courses spanning AI fundamentals, ethics, machine learning, and more.
Usher’s New Look (UNL) has joined with IBM to provide free career training centered on artificial intelligence (AI) and professional skills through IBM’s SkillsBuild platform.
This collaboration aims to benefit thousands of UNL’s underrepresented youth learners nationwide, equipping them with vital technological know-how for future workforce success. According to a press release, the partnership enhances UNL’s existing leadership, financial literacy, and career-readiness curricula by integrating customized IBM SkillsBuild AI coursework tailored to learners’ levels.
Courses include resume writing with AI, building chatbots, and mastering AI prompting.
Coupled with professional skills like public speaking and interview prep, these learning plans provide “a foundational understanding of AI” to prepare students for careers. Beyond customized plans, learners will gain access to over 1,000 SkillsBuild courses spanning AI fundamentals, ethics, machine learning, and customer service—aligning with IBM’s goal to train 2 million people in AI through 2026.
“It’s a privilege for IBM to join forces with Usher’s New Look in making a real difference for promising young learners from communities that have been historically underrepresented in technology,” said Justina Nixon-Saintil, IBM vice president and chief impact officer. “As AI continues to be a driving force in the workplace, we believe that IBM SkillsBuild is well-positioned to help students develop the technology skills they’ll need to succeed.”
Careshia Moore, UNL’s president and CEO, echoed the value: “Access to AI and other innovative technological advances will help our students become productive members of today’s competitive workforce.”
UNL, an organization founded by singer Usher Raymond IV in 1999, supports under-resourced youth, will integrate IBM’s resources into programs like its Disruptivator Clubs, Leadership Academies, and the 2024 Disruptivator Summit, which is expected to put on the nation’s largest youth conference this July in Atlanta.
“We believe IBM SkillsBuild can make a real difference for promising learners underrepresented in tech,” Nixon-Saintil said.
The collaboration underscores AI’s workforce impact: 61% of respondents in a recent survey deemed it “necessary” for K-12 students to learn AI skills for future careers.
Dwayne Johnson Introduces Men’s Personal Care Line For Skin, Hair, Body, And Tattoos
Johnson named the line after his Samoan grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, who was the "first man who taught me what men's care was all about."
Professional wrestler and actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is adding to his business empire by adding a new personal care line named Papatui for skin, hair, body, and tattoos.
The new innovative personal care brand officially launched March 7 and will be available for purchase nationwide in Target stores and on Target.com starting March 10. The products can also be purchased on papatui.com.
In a written statement, Johnson said, “People have asked me about my skin care for years, and people know that I’m a big advocate for all men to take care of themselves, inside and out. Men’s wellness will always be very important to me, and I’ve been lucky enough to have access to some of the best resources and minds when developing PAPATUI. Together with industry experts, we committed to create products that work and deliver the quality and value that all hardworking men deserve. Now all my men out there can trade-up to high-end products without having to pay high-end prices. I believe these products will help men take better care.”
Welcome to the world of my @papatui_ men’s care🧴🧼🚿
As you guys know, I’m an advocate for wellness, grooming and men taking better care of ourselves. And while we may not always talk about it, us guys all want to look better and feel better too.
The Papatui brand has been in development for over three years. A team of skincare experts and scientists focused on creating products that have effective and cleaner ingredients.
The price for the various items in the collection will range from $7.99 to $9.99.
“The name PAPATUI is deeply personal to me,” explained Johnson. “My Samoan grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia was the first man who taught me what men’s care was all about. Even though I was just a 5-year-old punk kid, my grandfather was one of my heroes. He was strikingly handsome, had beautiful skin, was well groomed, always smelled incredible, he was loved and respected by everyone, and on top of all that—he was also tough as hell—an attribute he clearly did not pass on to me lol. His nickname for me, was ‘Tui.’ And ‘Papa,’ which translates to ‘Rock’ in Samoan, also comes from my most important and protected role, which is father to my three daughters. I wanted to honor these anchors in my life. Thus, PAPATUI.”
Johnson is currently on the board of directors of the company that owns World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), TKO Group Holdings. Under Johnson’s agreement with the group, he was given the trademark to his moniker “The Rock,” as well as 24 more phrases and names that have been associated with him throughout his illustrious wrestling career.
Shaquille O’Neal And Allen Iverson Look To Relaunch Jay-Z’s S. Carter And 50 Cent’s G-Unit Sneakers
Shaq said for 50 Cent and Jay-Z to 'holla' at him.
NBA Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, who also work with Reebok Basketball as president and vice president, recently revealed there could be a relaunch of sneakers associated with hip-hop heavyweights Jay-Z and 50 Cent.
The two former basketball players appeared in a recent episode of Sneaker Shopping With Complex. While the host discussed how sneakerheads and fans alike responded to Jay-Z wearing a pair of his Reebok S. Carter Collection sneakers at this year’s Super Bowl game, O’Neal and Iverson were asked if there would be a second coming of the popular footwear. Shaq seemed interested in making it happen, if the “Hard Knock Life” billionaire wanted it.
The TNT commentator said, “We know Jay-Z. Jay-Z, if you watching, we wanna holla at cha.”
Iverson, aka “The Answer,” chimed in by saying when the footwear was released in 2003, he was a fan of the sneakers and “wore them all summer.” He added that since he was part of the Reebok family, he and his crew were given custom-made S. Carters.
When the collection, which resembled white Gucci sneakers from 1984, was initially released, it sold 10,000 pairs just hours after they went on sale.
The next topic of discussion was 50 Cent’s G-Unit Reebok Collection. Would that be another collection to buy in stores and online? Around the same time as the release of the S. Carters, the G-Unit boss also signed a deal with Reebok to release a collection of several styles stamped with the G-Unit insignia.
Shaq also stated interest in reaching out to the television executive and gave a shout in the video. “50, when I call you, holla. Jay-Z, we’ll be calling. We definitely want to give the fans and the consumers what they want.” He assured listeners that he and Iverson would make it happen, as they anticipated having a conversation with both men, also saying there will be new styles and more technology included in future footwear for the company.
Rebook presidents SHAQ & Allen Iverson get asked if they would bring S.Carter’s & G-unit sneakers back & they want to talk with Jay Z & 50 Cent pic.twitter.com/HpHJNU3wP6
The primary component of Biden’s proposal is a tax credit for first-time homebuyers: offering $5,000 annually for a period of two years. Simultaneously, the plan includes a $10,000 tax credit for individuals selling their starter homes. The objective is to provide assistance to those grappling with the consequences of soaring home prices and historically high mortgage rates. However, the proposal hinges on approval from Congress to materialize into a concrete policy.
The housing market has faced challenges due to the combination of escalating mortgage rates and home prices. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the monthly mortgage and interest payment on a median-priced home nearly doubled to $2,111 in December compared to the pre-pandemic era. This surge has made homeownership unattainable for many aspiring buyers.
The tax credit for starter home sellers addresses the issue of a stagnant market caused by the reluctance of homeowners to sell due to higher mortgage rates. The housing inventory crunch has led to continuously rising prices despite a dip in demand. Many homeowners secured low-interest mortgages during the pandemic and are hesitant to trade them for new loans at the current rates, resulting in 2023 being the weakest year for home sales since 1995.
The White House, acknowledging the challenges faced by working families in accessing affordable homes, emphasized the need to break the deadlock in the housing market. The tax credits, a revival of an idea from Biden’s initial election campaign, form part of a broader set of housing policies.
Biden’s proposed measures also include a request to Congress for authorization of $25,000 down payment assistance for first-time buyers without homeowner parents. While the fate of these ideas remains uncertain in a divided Congress, the administration is issuing executive orders to federal agencies, including a pilot program by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, to reduce closing costs on home refinancing, and a task force by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to tackle “anticompetitive closing costs.”
Furthermore, Biden is advocating for tax credits for builders to create or preserve 1.2 million affordable rental units and 400,000 starter homes. Additionally, a $20 billion competitive grant program is proposed to assist communities nationwide in building housing, accompanied by a plan to double the affordable housing contribution of the 11 government-sponsored Federal Home Loan Banks, generating an additional $3.8 billion.
Veterans With Cancer Exposed To Burn Pits Can Claim Disability Compensation
The list of presumptive cancers related to burn pit exposure has been expanded, streamlining the process for veterans to claim compensation.
In a significant development for Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans, the list of presumptive cancer symptoms related to burn pit exposure has been expanded, according to VA.gov. These presumptive conditions imply that the Department of Veterans Affairs assumes your service caused the condition, streamlining the process for eligible veterans to claim disability compensation.
The expanded list encompasses a range of cancers affecting the brain, head, neck, nervous system, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, lymphatic system, melanoma, pancreatic region, reproductive organs, and respiratory system. Notably, these presumptive conditions for cancer take into account exposure veterans had to burn pits or service in qualifying locations.
For brain, head, neck, and nervous system cancers, the list includes brain and brain stem cancers, head cancers of various types, neck cancers, and spinal cord cancers. This recognition is crucial as many veterans have reported health issues arising from burn pit exposure during their service.
In the gastrointestinal category, the presumptive cancers are comprised of anal cancer, colorectal cancer or colon cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, pancreatic cancer, salivary gland cancers, small intestine cancers, spleen cancers, stomach cancers, and tongue cancer. This recognition underscores the impact of burn pit exposure on various organ systems.
The expanded list of presumptive conditions includes kidney cancers, lymphomas (including B-cell lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and rare lymphomas), melanomas affecting the eye, skin, and mucosal regions, pancreatic cancers, reproductive cancers (both female and male), and respiratory cancers (including bronchial, laryngeal, lung, and throat cancers).
The move by the VA is in response to the growing concerns and health challenges faced by veterans exposed to burn pits during their service. Many have reported various health issues, and the expansion of presumptive conditions acknowledges these concerns, simplifying the process for veterans to seek disability compensation.
Veterans who believe they may be eligible are encouraged to review the list of presumptive cancers, file a claim for disability compensation, and apply for VA healthcare. The VA emphasizes the importance of ensuring that eligible veterans receive the necessary support and acknowledgment for the health challenges they may be facing due to their service.
For those uncertain about meeting the service requirements, the VA provides guidance on how to check these requirements before filing a claim.
Black Women Name Abortion The Top Issue Ahead Of 2024 Presidential Election
Over half of Black Americans live in the South, where a majority of the strictest abortion regulations have been placed.
More than 25% of Black women feel abortion is the key topic going into the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
A poll from KFF, a health policy research firm, revealed 28% of Black women were focused on abortion before going to the polls. Including 19% of women living in states where abortion is banned and 17% of women under age 50, two-thirds of the participants wanted abortion legalized in all or most cases.
This is a major demographic shift from white, conservative evangelicals in 2020 who voted for former president Donald Trump, who promised to appoint Supreme Court judges who were in favor of taking away women’s constitutional right to an abortion. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022, the tables have turned. “It’s a complete shift,” KFF pollster Ashley Kirzinger said. “Abortion voters are young, Black women — and not white evangelicals.”
More than half of Black Americans live in the South, where a majority of the strictest abortion regulations have been placed. As of 2023, close to 25 million women are living in states with new restrictions after the high court’s decision. As the country braces for a rematch of Biden versus Trump in the polls, Biden has vowed to protect abortion access. Since women, and Black women in particular, were crucial to Biden’s win over Trump in 2020, combating the issue may keep him in the Oval Office for a second term. “Abortion — it’s clearly resonating with this group,” Kirzinger said.
“When we think about abortion access and who is disadvantaged, it’s Black women.”
Black women advocacy groups across the country have been putting in the work to make sure women are educated on reproductive rights in the political sector. With Trump presumably back on the ballot, some say it’s time for people to be held accountable. “As we get to this next cycle of elected officials and leaders, we absolutely want to hold folks accountable to ensure that we can have bodily autonomy and power over our bodies,” Ashlei Spivey, founder of I Be Black Girl, said, according toWOWT.
The Omaha, Nebraska, organization took part in a legislative day on March 7 to teach citizens how to approach legislators about issues that concern them. Describing the political process as “complex,” Spivey wants to give women resources and courage to be strong advocates. “We first described the legislative process because it can be so complex,” Spivey said. “And then from there we gave them tools to be able to then say ‘this is how I want to advocate’ or ‘here’s what I want to you to uplift.’”
For the new organization SHERO, women’s reproductive rights are critical. SHERO, an acronym for “shaping healthy equitable reproductive outcomes,” supports expecting mothers. Buffy Bush, director of SHERO Omaha, said abortion rights are key for the work she does, and helping women find their voice at the polls is crucial. “We are going to encourage them to vote based on their beliefs and the work for us is to continue to encourage them to find their inner SHERO,” Bush said.
Byrd passedaway on Tuesday, March 5, in Los Angeles at age 72, Deadline reports. No cause of death has been revealed as she leaves behind a list of friends and students in the music industry who are all saddened by the loss.
As the vocal coach on American Idol for the first 10 seasons, Byrd worked closely alongside the show’s early stars, such as Jennifer Hudson, Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino, and Clay Aiken. The show released a tribute post to Byrd celebrating the “integral” role she played in the music competition’s inception.
Hudson took to Instagram on Thursday to express her sorrow over Byrd’s passing in a heartfelt tribute post.
“Heartbroken over the passing of Debra Byrd, the vocal coach on American Idol. She encouraged and supported us from the very beginning,” Hudson shared in her caption.
“I am so grateful for everything she taught us. She will be dearly missed, but her legacy lives on through the music of countless artists she influenced during her lifetime. Rest in peace, Debra.”
The tribute shared highlights from Hudson’s time on American Idol, where Byrd coached the future EGOT winner on how to hone in on her singing ability. Another photo shows Byrd standing alongside Hudson as she sang with Elton John.
Byrd also served as a vocal coach on NBC’s The Voice, sang on soundtracks for The Lion King, 2 1/2, and Sister Act II, and worked with Barry Manilow for several years as part of his group, Ladyflash. The legendary singer took to X to share his sadness over Byrd’s passing.
“This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that Debra is no longer with me,” he wrote. “She was one of the most wonderful friends I’ve ever had. I will miss you forever, my love.”
This is one of the saddest days of my life. I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that Debra is no longer with me.
She was one of the most wonderful friends I’ve ever had.
Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, who has since shifted from music into local politics, released a statement honoring the “mentor” Byrd was to him and other early contestants on American Idol.
“I don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that no one was a better mentor, coach, teacher, or champion to us Idol contestants than Byrd was,” Aiken said.
“No one spent more time with us. I’ll never forget her drilling into us how we needed to look right into the camera and connect with the audience at home. She was a light in so many lives. I am so lucky that I got to call her a friend.”
What does it take to recharge your career? A bit of it is re-evaluating where you fit in the job market.
Originally published Sept. 1, 2014
What does it take to recharge your career? A bit of it is re-evaluating where you fit in the job market. There are strategies that can be implemented, but for many professionals it also requires being less rigid and less timid in their perspectives around finding work.
“Reinventing yourself is about going out there and getting new sets of skills that companies need, such as healthcare analytics,” says Marlon Cousin, managing partner of The Marquin Group, a boutique executive search firm in Atlanta.
But reinvention also forces you to consider checking in with your network, getting out of your comfort zone, and taking risks.
“People are fearful and exhausted because they don’t know what the process of transition looks like today, and that’s why they aren’t getting results,” says Cousin.
Based on their training and backgrounds Derrick Godfrey and Heather Shaw would have never predicted that they would have ended up in their current positions. But during one of the worst economic periods in recent history, with millions of professionals unemployed, they didn’t just land jobs, they found exciting opportunities.
A risky move works out
A seven-day vacation to Dubai in October 2007 changed Heather Shaw’s life. At the time, Shaw was living and working in New York City as director of corporate responsibility for Time Warner Inc. She was content with her job, but yearned for change.
“I felt as if there was something missing,” she says. “My entire life I had been comfortable. I needed to step outside of my comfort zone.”
Shaw initially had little interest in vacationing in the Middle East, but friends living in Dubai encouraged her to visit. When she arrived, Shaw was surprised “by how easy it was to meet people even though I didn’t know Arabic. She returned to New York wanting to relocate, but her company’s overseas positions didn’t match her skill-set.
“I decided that this was something I was going to do myself,” she says.
After researching potential opportunities at a variety of companies and connecting with women on LinkedIn to gauge their experiences, Shaw returned to Dubai for three weeks in June 2008 to set up informational interviews. One company showed tentative interest: Limitless, a global real estate developer within the Dubai World group.
Shaw was told no positions would be available until the following year. “I was trying to be extremely confident,” Shaw recalls. “I told him that it was no problem—I would be in Dubai by that time and we could talk then.”
A month later, Shaw received an offer to come to Dubai and serve as the director of global public relations, communications, and corporate social responsibility for Limitless. She moved and began working there in September 2008.
Her employment with Limitless lasted about a year. “I had to make a decision; do I go back to the States? I decided to stay and see what would happen,” she says.
Within weeks, Shaw learned through a neighbor about an opening at Zayed University. She was soon hired as an adjunct professor to teach public relations to young Emirati women. In June 2010, Shaw landed a position at Barclays Bank PLC as head of communications for corporate affairs for Barclays Africa. Shaw left Barclays in November 2011 and started the following month with the position she holds today: senior director of corporate communications, Middle East & Africa for Hilton Worldwide.
Shaw recognized that globalization isn’t just a corporate function, it’s an individual one. She found a fulfilling opportunity by taking initiative.
Finding work after a layoff
Cousin says there are plenty of jobs available, but the problem is job hunters use the old model of sending out resumes and waiting for a response.
Derrick Godfrey worked in the financial industry. He joined Lehman Bros. Holdings Inc. as a vice president and worked with the Partnership Solutions Group, an initiative that developed business opportunities with women- and minority-owned firms that served as broker dealers, hedge funds, private equity, commercial banks, real estate, and asset management.
Godfrey, a former vice president of business development at BLACK ENTERPRISE, hoped to eventually join Lehman’s wealth management group. But then the financial powerhouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2008.
Godfrey quickly began working his network and contacted former colleagues and classmates, including those from Colgate University and Georgetown University Law Center. “I told people what I could do and asked if there were any opportunities within their organization that would allow me to be successful and productive,” Godfrey says.
A mentor and former colleague from a law firm told him about a position with MLB Advanced Media L.P. Godfrey contacted people there, including the CEO, to learn more about what the company needed. Five months after leaving Lehman, Godfrey became vice president of international business development for MLB Advanced Media.
It’s important, Godfrey emphasizes, to have ongoing conversations with friends, colleagues, and associates so that you’re not only contacting them in times of crisis.
“People were familiar with me in a number of different industries, so it was a little easier for me to transition based on the networking I had done prior to [leaving] Lehman,” he says.
When Godfrey set out for his next opportunity, he worked with search firms and professionals within the sports industry and shared his aspiration to run an organization. In May 2012, Godfrey was appointed CEO of iHoops, the youth basketball organization of the NCAA and the NBA. It provides programs to improve the quality of youth basketball in the United States.
Godfrey, like Shaw, believes self-confidence is essential, but that a certain degree of risk is required to pursue your career goals. “It’s also about having a certain aggressiveness in terms of going out and saying, ‘I’m not going to fall down,'” he says. “I think failure is OK, but being afraid to fail is not.”
There are a number of ways to recharge or reset your career.
Career experts offer the following advice to steer you in the right direction:
Do a self-assessment
“Most job hunters are going in the wrong direction because they don’t know what they really want,” says Cousin. Once you do a self-assessment you can begin to network with those who are doing what you want to do. “You’ll have a better return on investment in this process.”
Update your skills
Volunteering is a great way to develop the skills you will need for your next opportunity. For example, if you are looking for a position with a company whose mission is in education, then carve out time to help your local school or church develop its current program, suggests Marsha Haygood, founder of StepWise Associates L.L.C., a career and professional development consultancy. Teaching is also a good way to stay relevant in an industry. In-between jobs, Shaw taught at a university. If you are unsure about the requirements of a specific industry, consult job boards or, like Shaw, speak to recruiters and set up informational interviews. “They will tell you what you’re missing,” says Cousin.
Keep your network fresh
Shaw and Godfrey both relied on their networks as they searched and prepared for their next opportunity. Haygood emphasizes the importance of regularly staying in touch with people, when you don’t need anything. “You can send a quick text or e-mail to say, ‘Hey, just thinking of you. Hope all is well. Have a great summer. Let’s touch base soon.'”
Do your research
“Come up with five to 10 companies that you really want to work for,” says Haygood. “Find out if you know anyone who knows someone at the company. Learn as much about the company culture as you can. Research should include using LinkedIn to identify employees who work at these companies and who could offer more insight on company culture as well as opportunities and challenges. You should also know the company’s competition to stay abreast of what’s happening in the industry.”
Speak the company’s language
Make sure your resume and cover letter establish a clear match between your skills and the needs of the organization. “It’s not all about what you’ve done in the past, but what you can do for the organization in the future,” says Haygood. Find out what the gaps are in the organization and speak to how you can help fill them.
Explore beyond your comfort zone
Finding the right opportunity may require changing industries or locations. Godfrey moved from finance to sports, and from New York to Indianapolis. Shaw changed industries several times and moved to another country.
Remain confident
Suffering from an unexpected blow to your career can be devastating. As you move forward to your next opportunity, remember to maintain a positive attitude. Haygood recommends writing down all your accomplishments, professional and personal. “You need to be able to articulate them when you talk to people.”
Elon Musk Singles Out Jeff Bezos’ Ex For Donating Billions For DEI
The CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX expressed his disapproval of Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott's charitable donations for minorities.
Elon Musk lashed out on X, formerly known as Twitter, at Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife MacKenzie Scott’s philanthropic efforts that include billions of dollars in donations to organizations benefiting women and minorities.
The CEO of Tesla Motors and SpaceX called Scott a “super rich ex-wife who hates her former spouse” in a since-deleted post. Musk’s criticism seemed to come from Scott’s donations to organizations that address issues of race and gender, Business Insider reported.
Musk’s post is in line with his vocal opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “DEI is just another word for racism. Shame on anyone who uses it,” Musk wrote on X in January.
True. Tesla was attacked by Romney in 2 of 3 presidential debates. Those lines were fed to him by a particular individual in the oil & gas industry.
The Dems turned negative over the past ~12 months. At least part of it is Mackenzie’s donation to PACs posing as charities.
Musk’s disdain for Scott’s philanthropy is not new. In 2022 he accused her of donating to political action committees “posing as charities,” claiming her actions were motivated by animosity toward her ex-husband, Jeff Bezos, as opposed to a genuine commitment to addressing societal inequalities and empowering underserved communities.
“It’s safe to say that MacKenzie [ahem] Scott is not exactly a big fan of her ex-husband. Unfortunately, a lot of others are getting caught in the crossfire,” Musk wrote.
In contrast to Musk’s criticism, Scott’s approach to philanthropy has been widely praised. Since her divorce from Bezos in 2019, Scott has donated nearly $2 billion to “343 organizations supporting the voices and opportunities of people from underserved communities.”
Her no-strings-attached approach has been welcomed by recipients, with Ruth Simmons, then-president of Prairie View A&M University, saying, “The most cherished gifts are definitely those that are unrestricted because a complex university has a wide variety of needs,” per Business Insider. Scott received $38 billion worth of Amazon shares after divorcing the Amazon founder and executive chairman.
Bezos, on the other hand, has a different strategy for giving away his wealth. “The hard part is figuring out how to do it in a levered way,” Business Insider reported that he told CNN.
