by Stacy Jackson

March 5, 2024

‘At The Well’ Hosts 2024 Leadership Program For Teen Girls

Actress Nicole Ari Parker and Emmy Award-winning producer Nikole Hannah-Jones are scheduled speakers for this year's leadership program.

The At The Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy continues its work to empower and nurture the leaders of tomorrow.

Scheduled to take place from July 16 to July 29, 2024, at the Erdman Center, Princeton Theological Seminary, the prestigious program promises to be a transformative experience for its selected participants. According to At The Well Conferences, Inc.’s official website, this year’s two-week leadership program seeks to equip young minority girls with the essential tools required to become successful leaders. Targeting scholars entering the eleventh and twelfth grades from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ATW aims to cultivate a generation of trailblazers who will positively impact their communities.

Through a comprehensive intensive, the program’s multifaceted curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including leadership development, critical reading and writing, study skills, time management, financial literacy, and the art of cultivating healthy relationships. Participants not only hone their academic abilities but also develop the confidence and resilience necessary to navigate the challenges of leadership.

Renowned professionals from various fields, including actress Nicole Ari Parker and Emmy-winning producer Nikole Hannah-Jones, are scheduled as speakers to share their experiences and impart invaluable wisdom with this year’s youth participants. Workshop facilitators, drawn from diverse professions such as medicine, law, finance, entertainment, and the non-profit sector, will serve as role models and offer guidance on topics ranging from body image and entrepreneurship to health and wellness.

The vision behind ATW is deeply personal for its founder, Jacqueline Glass Campbell. Inspired by her daughter’s experience as one of two African American girls in her graduating class, Campbell sought to curate a space for girls of color to embrace leadership and break free from the isolation often felt in predominantly white academic settings. In 2019, Campbell told Princeton Theological Seminary her desire was to “give gifted girls of color a platform to come together and encourage one another.” She explained that “most of them come from spaces where they’re the only black girl in their AP class, and that can be isolating at times.”

The Princeton Theological Seminary alum shared at the time that the program’s name, “At The Well,” was inspired by a Bible story from the book of John, “when a woman comes to the well for water” and leaves in a different state than she came. “It was an educational encounter, and one that transforms her,” the ATW founder said. “That’s what we seek. We want girls to be impacted by the history of women who looked like them, and then go home and become the change that’s needed in the community where they live.”

As previously covered by BLACK ENTERPRISE, At The Well welcomed hundreds of Black teen girls to apply for its 2023 program.

The application deadline for this year’s two-week At The Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy program is March 31, 2024, and participants will be selected through a competitive process.

by Lauren Nutall

March 5, 2024

Instagram And Facebook Crash, Affecting Hundreds Of Thousands Of Users

The apps' parent company Meta has ensured users that they are working on the ongoing issue.

According to numerous reports, Instagram and Facebook are down, affecting thousands of users nationwide.

Meta Platforms, which owns the two social media sites, is experiencing significant difficulties, preventing users from operating the applications and logging some people out of their accounts. According to outage data collector DownDetector, there have been over 470,000 reports from Facebook users regarding the issue and more than 75,000 formal complaints from Instagram users during the past 24 hours. Due to the outage, several people are unable to refresh their feeds or upload their stories.

Threads — Instagram’s text-based conversation app — is reportedly experiencing technical difficulties, though there have been fewer reports about the issue. According to ABC News, the outage has impacted several business and commerce tools on the platforms, including Facebook and Instagram Shops, Meta Business Suite, and Ads Manager.

“We are aware of an issue users are having logging into our platforms. Our engineering teams are aware and are actively looking to resolve the issue as quickly as possible,” the site reads. However, some of Meta’s tools are being recovered.

Meta spokesperson Andy Stone tweeted a brief statement regarding the ongoing issue: “We’re aware people are having trouble accessing our services. We are working on this now,” he posted. He did not provide an estimate of when the issues would be resolved, and functionality would be restored.

While Meta works to restore operations, several people have flocked to X, formerly known as Twitter, to react to the sudden outage. Some have expressed annoyance at the occurrence.

How long is Facebook & IG going to be down pic.twitter.com/iRQMaa3eU7
— Bad Built Bitch (@ohhthatjosiah) March 5, 2024

https://twitter.com/blahblah_suckme/status/1765040921706442826?s=12

Meanwhile, others have made jokes and found humor in the situation.

https://twitter.com/twittahbobby/status/1765048927659704423?s=12

Several people feared they had been hacked and were relieved to discover this was false.

https://twitter.com/coach_co_/status/1765051194450280527?s=12

Ask Sheree: How To Deal With Racist Coworkers

by Sheree Franklin-Hill

March 5, 2024

Ask Sheree: How To Deal With Racist Coworkers

Originally Published Dec. 6, 2016.

Dear Sheree,

I am a 32-year-old Latino woman, who has worked in an administration position for seven years in education. Two of my co-workers make racially insensitive comments at least once a week. Whenever I address my concerns to my supervisor, his response is always that the “statements are being taken out of context.” I really like my job and want to stay, but need help on how to deal with these issues when they come up, without allowing myself to get angry.

Sofia

Dear Sofia,

Thanks for sharing your concerns. There are many people who are experiencing the daily hurt and sting of racism professionally and personally.

Racism is not an excuse to give away your power to anyone. We do this when we allow others to get into our heads, to the point where we are frustrated and angry. Powerful humans must learn to use those instances as an opportunity to be more alert and aware of what we want to accomplish in our lives.

I understand, firsthand, how easy it is to let your anger get out of control. Dealing with my own emotions getting out of control led me to write about my experience in my book, Intuition: The Hidden Asset Everyone Should Learn to Use:

“Have you ever experienced anger to the point where it almost led to violence? I experienced this level of rage during a chance encounter with a woman on the street, and it served as a major wake up call to the danger of allowing my emotions to get out of control […] Going through this experience taught me to approach life like a chess game, to play each step carefully and not allow myself to hand over my power to anyone. I may never completely vanquish anger from my life, but I can definitely control how it affects me and my reaction to others.”

Do Not Let Other People’s Problems Influence Your Energy Flow

It sounds to me like your coworkers know that they are getting under your skin, by observing your facial reactions and body language. Highly manipulative people are adept at knowing how to push our buttons to the point where it makes our reactions very visible. And your coworkers are, most likely, taking pride in their successful track record, by knowing that you have reported their comments to your supervisor.

Racism is not an excuse to allow anyone into your heart, mind, body, or spirit. But, it can be a powerful motivation to remain alert and aware to achieving your own life goals. The key is to stay tuned with your intuition, to immediately know your reactions are becoming visible to others.

Your Body Is Your Laboratory

One of the first things we can do as powerful humans is to create a tone of feeling powerful each day. Your body is your best instrument for learning, feeling, and imaging feeling powerful.

Before you go to work, I am going to suggest you begin a short meditation practice (five to seven minutes) to learn how it feels for you to be truly peaceful. During your meditation, allow yourself to set an intention to feel peace, from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head. Once you fully experience how it feels inside to feel peaceful, take six deep breaths and command your intuition to show you everyday the warning signs of anger in your body, so clearly you cannot possibly ignore the message.

Create a daily meditation practice at work by having two or three affirmations that you can say to yourself, as you reflect on being powerful. And whenever your coworkers attempt to make subtle racist remarks, pay attention to what goes on inside your body and learn how to shift into the emotion of peace. Learning how to shift your emotions will help you to develop the internal power to control what you project to others.

Racism Is No Excuse, But It Can Be a Powerful Motivator

Accept the reality that your life experience is different from the people who are attempting to undermine your success. Look at it this way; you have worked harder than anyone knows to earn your position. These statements are being made to undermine you, and it’s your choice, as a consciously aware human, to allow them to get under your skin or not. Yes, you can keep a journal or notebook noting the comments being said, but it sounds to me like your co-workers are adept at trying to get you upset, and your best defense is to learn to manage yourself more effectively. We cannot allow other people’s hang-ups to affect our life.

We Need People to Step Up and Be Leaders

Now more than ever, minorities are going to need to decide they are going to be leaders in their communities, families, and especially in running for public office.

If you are not already doing it, I am going to suggest that you mentor a minority employee at your office. Teach them how to not allow outside forces to throw off their balance. Taking this step will not only enhance the lives of the person you are mentoring, it will allow you to embrace leadership skills that are going to be extremely necessary now.

Here is a list of circumstances that everyone needs to stay mindfully aware of possible disagreements occurring:

Large public arenas, such as public transportation, airplanes, fairs, and public events.
Car accidents.
Another person outwardly expresses that you are invisible – people stepping in front of you in line or insisting that you move from a seat.
Overhearing conversations where minorities are being judged or spoken about in negative terms.

Sheree Franklin is an Intuitive Life Strategist who helps individuals and organizations make better decisions in less time with less stress. She is the author of Intuition: The Hidden Asset Everyone Should Learn to Use.

RELATED CONTENT: Why Black Business People Should Meditate

by Stacy Jackson

March 5, 2024

Cheers! McBride Sisters Release Luxury Red Wines In New Collection Legacy Portfolio

The McBride Sisters Collection Legacy portfolio includes a 2019 Syrah, 2019 GSM, 2020 Grenache, and a Collection Legacy Gift Set.

The McBride Sisters Wine Company, founded by Robin McBride and Andréa McBride John, has unveiled a new luxury wine collection called the McBride Sisters Collection Legacy portfolio.

This lineup of distinct red wines from California pays homage to Mother Nature’s bountiful grapes and terrain, as well as the essence of the sisters’ journey in the wine industry. “The wines represent the elements that make my sister and I truly unique from each other, but also embodies what we have accomplished over the last two decades together,” Robin said, according to the Wine Industry Advisor.

The collection’s elegant packaging and character are inspired by the sisters’ story of growing up on opposite sides of the world, only to reunite and discover their shared passion for wine. “Each symbol has been carefully chosen to tell the story of what we feel represents us now and the legacy that we strive to leave behind for generations of groundbreaking winemakers and ambitious women,” Robin added.

Inaugural bottles in the Legacy portfolio showcase Rhone grape varieties grown in Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo, near the Pacific coast – a region with deep personal significance for the sisters. Andréa shared that the Pacific Ocean links the sisters, spanning from the New Zealand shores where she grew up to the California coast where Robin was raised. “Beyond holding a personal place in our hearts, it also impacts the selection of our growing environments that make our wines distinctive, memorable, and delicious,” Andréa says.

McBride Sisters Collection Legacy portfolio includes a 2019 Syrah ($90), a 2019 GSM ($80), a 2020 Grenache ($80), and a McBride Sisters Collection Legacy Gift Set ($250), containing one bottle of each wine.

The Syrah is described as having “a deep purple-red in color with a velvety pour… hints of bacon fat…Firm and gripping on the palate with dense fruit flavors and lively acidity.” The GSM blend is structured with a “striking deep ruby color and…brings a white pepper spice,” while the Grenache is a “concentrated red cherry graced with notes of rose petals, sweet sage, and pepper.”

The McBride Sisters continue their legacy as trailblazers in the industry and “the most successful” Black-owned and women-founded wine company in America. As previously noted by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the sisters have awarded over 30 wine education scholarships through their SHE CAN Fund and established a national membership database of over 6,000 women.

by Kandiss Edwards

March 5, 2024

Stop Falling Short Of Success And Rise Above It

For one reason or another, through circumstances either within or outside of our control, our mission is aborted. Our dreams are then placed back on the shelf of things to do "someday."

Originally Published March 22, 2016.

Almost famous. Almost successful. Almost an author. Almost married. Many of us, including myself, have found ourselves in a seemingly never-ending cycle of working to attain a goal, seeing progress, and then, right before we reach it – things come to a halt. For one reason or another, through circumstances either within or outside of our control, our mission is aborted. Our dreams are then placed back on the shelf of things to do “someday.”

So the question is, why does this keep happening? Why do we keep falling short of achieving our goals? The answers may vary, but listed below are two of four reasons, and what you can do to overcome them.

Fear and Uncertainty

When making progress toward a goal, you may deal with issues or enter areas that you are unfamiliar with. Because of this, you may have many questions about what to do next, as well as some fear of the things that you may not yet know. This fear, coupled with the many unanswered questions you have regarding your next steps, will leave you in a state of stagnancy.

Solution: Know that fear is not real.

Fear derives from our own minds coming up with the worst-case scenarios, which are mostly unrealistic, and feeling strongly that those things will happen. Instead of focusing on the negative, focus on the outcome of success, and what you need to do to get to that point.

Secondly, don’t wait to get answers to your questions. When you sit on your ask, nothing gets done. Not having the answers of how to move forward will leave you stuck. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find others who have experience or who are knowledgeable about your area of focus, and seek their input. Find organizations that focus on your area of interest and hear what other people are experiencing. Often, you may realize that you are not the only one with questions.

Self-Sabotage

Have you ever missed a deadline, written a horrible proposal, or failed to follow-up with a client or partner, and had a seemingly convincing reason (that could have been avoided) as to why? Well this, my friend, is self-sabotage. Self-sabotage is also brought about by fear. However, most of the time, it is the fear of succeeding. We see we’re making strides, and we know that if we keep moving forward, clientele may begin to pick up exponentially, and a full-fledged business will be born. But, that will bring on more responsibility and a deeper commitment. Consequently, we fear that. So we do things, be it consciously or subconsciously, that are detrimental to progress.

Solution: Keep moving forward.

Stay consistent in your actions, and take pride in the fact that what you’re doing is getting noticed. Don’t worry about business picking up. Begin identifying areas that can be delegated to someone else or automated, and then find the resources to help you. Sites like internships.com will help you to tap into resources for little to no pay.

Finally, be comfortable with growth. It is part of the process, if you’re doing things right. Grab success by the horns, and enjoy the ride!

This article was written by Alicia Bowens.

oprah, ozempic,wieghtwatchers, stock, shares

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2024

WeightWatchers Shares Take A Dive After Oprah Winfrey Announces Board Departure

WeightWatchers is seeing a drop in its share stock amid Oprah Winfrey's departure announcement from the company's board of directors.

WeightWatchers is seeing a drop in its share stock amid Oprah Winfrey’s departure announcement from the company’s board of directors.

Shares of the weight loss program dropped over 25% on Thursday, Feb. 29, after Winfrey announced her decision to end her board membership, ABC News reports. The billionaire media mogul, who has served on the board since 2015, will not stand for reelection at an upcoming board meeting in May.

As part of her departure announcement, Winfrey revealed her plans to donate her financial interest in WeightWatchers to the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. She will also continue being a “support” to the company by serving as an awareness advocate on obesity.

“I look forward to continuing to advise and collaborate with WeightWatchers and CEO Sima Sistani in elevating the conversation around recognizing obesity as a chronic condition, working to reduce stigma, and advocating for health equity,” she said.

“Weight Health is a critically important topic and one that needs to be addressed at a broader scale. I plan to participate in a number of public forums and events where I will be a vocal advocate in advancing this conversation.”

“I have been a long-time supporter of this worthy organization, and I am proud to continue my support,” she added after sharing her donation plans.

Her departure from the WeightWatchers board comes a few months after she admitted to using a weight-loss drug to shed unwanted weight.

“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,” she told People in December. “I’m absolutely done with the shaming from other people and particularly myself.”

She avoided naming the specific weight loss drug she takes but did reveal her usage is only “as I feel I need it, as a tool to manage not yo-yo-ing,” her weight.

WeightWatchers confirmed that Winfrey’s board departure had nothing to do with “any disagreement” or “any matter relating to the company’s operations, policies or practices.”

by Rafael Pena

March 5, 2024

‘The Backyardigans’ Creator Janice Burgess Dies At 72

Janice Burgess, the creator of "The Backyardigans," died March 4.

Janie Burgess, the creative mind behind Nickelodeon’s beloved animated series, The Backyardigans, died March 4 at the age of 72, according to Daily Mail. The cause of death was not immediately known.

Fellow animation writer Fracaswell Hyman confirmed the news on social media.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fracaswell Hyman (@fracaswell)

Hyman shared a heartfelt tribute to Burgess, recounting their professional collaboration and friendship.

“Janice created The Backyardigans and guided countless other shows for Nickelodeon, Sesame Workshop, Disney, and Apple TV. Her script/story critiques were astute, clear, and constructive,” he wrote.

Recalling their encounter in the 1990s, when Burgess served as the executive in charge of production for Gullah Gullah Island, Hyman said “Janice swept in with her acid-tongued wit, flowing Hermes scarves, and omnipresent cigarettes. Instead of an overseer, she became a friend.”

Burgess, a Brandeis University graduate with a degree in art history, transitioned from working in craft services for WQED T in Pittsburgh to holding key positions at Children’s Television Workshop. She joined Nickelodeon as an executive in charge of production for Nick Jr. before venturing into the creative realm.

Her impact on children’s television was monumental. Burgess played a pivotal role in overseeing hit shows like Blue’s Clues, Allegra’s Window, and Gullah Gullah Island before embarking on her creative journey.

In addition to The Backyardigans, she contributed to other successful series like Winx Club. She also co-developed Bubble Guppies.

“Janice, Maria Perez-Brown, and I developed shows together, gossiped together, and oh, how we laughed! I will miss my dear friend. RIP. Oh, how we laughed,” Hyman recalled.

Born in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill area, Burgess’s journey in the television industry was marked by a commitment to creating meaningful and entertaining content for young audiences.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 5, 2024

‘Miracles Happen’: Sinbad Surprises Fans And Gives Health Update On HBCU Tour

Sinbad made his first public appearance in three years by joining the cast of "A Different World" during their HBCU tour stop at Morehouse.

Sinbad made his first public appearance in over three years by joining the cast of A Different World during its HBCU tour stop at Morehouse College.

The famed comedian, who played Coach Walter Oakes on the sitcom, appeared via Zoom for the “A Different World HBCU College Tour” event on Feb. 29, ET reports. Speaking to attendees virtually from a large screen inside the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Sinbad touched on the “great years” he had filming A Different World during its 77-episode run from 1987 to 1991.

“Those years were great years. Some of the best years of my life,” Sinbad shared. “Getting a chance to work with Debbie Allen, all the cast, it was so good.”

Legendary comedian and actor, Sinbad talks "A Different World" at the cast's HBCU tour kick off in Atlanta! https://t.co/lp1mbSS6CJ pic.twitter.com/71r4rkDJUC
— The Hillman Files (@thehillmanfiles) March 1, 2024

His virtual appearance was met with tremendous cheers from the crowd of mostly college students as the cast of A Different World continues its HBCU tour to raise money for HBCU scholarships and promote college enrollment. Sinbad hasn’t been seen publicly since suffering a stroke in October 2020.

He recapped his surprise appearance in an Instagram post on Monday, March 4, in which he thanked fans for all of the supportive messages he’s received in recent years. “It really is a different world out here!” he wrote in his caption.

“Man, that was so cool. A Different World going to Atlanta, going to Morehouse College and on campuses and getting a chance to be on Zoom and say something to the kids,” Sinbad said in his video message. “It’s wild that the kids even know who I am. That’s beautiful.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sinbad (@sinbadbad)

“Thank you to everybody’s who’s been praying for me and saying good things and supporting me during this time in my life. It means a lot to me,” he added. “It means so much when I hear from y’all.”

The comedian concluded his message by telling fans to “expect to see more of me soon” because “miracles happen.”

by Rafael Pena

March 5, 2024

Charles Barkley Threatens To Punch Any Black Person Wearing Trump’s Mugshot Merch

Charles Barkley didn't hold back in expressing his disdain for Trump's recent remarks during a conversation with Gayle King.

Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley didn’t hold back in expressing his disdain for former President Donald Trump’s recent remarks during a conversation with Gayle King, according to Complex. Trump, at the Black Conservative Federation’s annual Honors Gala in South Carolina, insinuated that the Black population embraced him following the release of his mugshot after he was arrested for his involvement in attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential results in Georgia.

"If I see a Black person walking around with a Trump mug shot, I’m gonna punch him in the face." – Charles Barkley pic.twitter.com/g8sbf4AEMy
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 4, 2024

In response, Charles Barkley made a strong statement, saying, “First of all, I’m just gonna say this: if I see a Black person walking around with Trump’s mugshot, I’m [gonna] punch him in the face.”

Barkley’s comments came during a candid conversation with King, who pointed out the legal consequences of such actions. Unfazed, Barkley humorously responded, “I will bail myself out and go celebrate. If I was at that conference, I would have got up and walked out. That was an insult to all Black people.”

Expressing his deep offense at Trump’s comparison, Barkley highlighted the stark disparities in experiences between Trump, a billionaire and former president of the United States, and the historical discrimination faced by Black communities. “To compare Black history, when we’ve been discriminated against, to his plight—first of all, he’s a billionaire, and they’re prosecuting him for stuff he did wrong,” Barkley emphasized.

Acknowledging some truths in the accusations against Trump, Barkley noted, “Well, some of the stuff is true. They did storm the Capitol; they did say that the election was stolen. Those aren’t lies, Gayle.”

Barkley concluded by sharing his deep offense at the comparison and highlighting the importance of respecting the struggles of the Black community. “He’s had a great life. He’s been President of the United States. To insult Black people who have been discriminated against all these years, to put them in the same category… I was just offended.”

by Sequoia Blodgett

March 5, 2024

Does Your Company Stand Out From The Competition?

When starting a company, figure out how to differentiate yourself from the competition. There are no original ideas. Rather, how you "dress it up" is what makes your idea original.

Originally Published Dec. 3, 2016

OK, so I bought this dress at H&M, and they had a million of them. So, what makes me different than the next woman who buys it, and puts it on? For starters, I paired it with a BCBG confetti bag and some Versace shades, which gave me a completely different look and feel. The same thing happens with business. There are no original ideas. Rather, how you “dress it up” is what makes your idea original.

What makes my company different from Oprah? Both companies deal with purpose-driven content, but I have a different target customer. Oprah.com will target older people—Gen X and baby boomers—and its content is more conservative. My brand caters to a younger demographic and provides edgier content. It doesn’t make either right or wrong; it just makes them different.

When starting a company, determine how to differentiate yourself from the competition. If five pillow companies already do custom embroidery, the world probably doesn’t need another pillow company selling custom embroidered pillows. However, the world may want a pillow company that focuses on pillows showcasing 3D pop-up designs. What is your unique value proposition and competitive advantage?

So, once that question is out of the way, how do you know customers even want your new, edgy product to begin with?

First, you want to create a hypothesis, and based on your hypothesis, you must assume that they do.

Next, you want to find your target customer—your community or tribe that absolutely cannot live without your idea. When I say find them, I mean you literally need to find them. Go out and ask questions to make sure that you are on the right track with your product before you build anything. You, in essence, are using them to validate your product.

Once you have your customers’ feedback, you want to build your concept around it. The big moment comes when you release it. If consumers are excited about it, using it, and paying for it, you have struck gold. This is called finding the product-market fit. This usually takes some time, so don’t fret if things don’t take off immediately. However, if you find that they are not biting, you need to either regroup by changing the idea slightly based on your new feedback or pivot by trying something else.

To recap, you will always find competitors in the market, and if you don’t—BE AFRAID. BE VERY, VERY AFRAID. Normally, that means no one has shown any previous interest in the product or genre of product that you are attempting to put on the market. Once you understand your competitive landscape, figure out what you are doing differently, and run with it—120 %.

Written By Sequoia Blodgett