by Daniel Johnson

February 9, 2024

According To A Recent Poll, Code-Switching In The Workplace Ain’t Went Nowhere

A Harris Poll from December 2023 reveals that the workplace politics of code-switching are both complicated and prevalent, particularly among Black and other employees of color.

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A Harris Poll from December 2023 reveals that the workplace politics of code-switching are both complicated and prevalent, particularly among Black and other employees of color. As reported by Indeed, which commissioned the survey from the Harris Poll, code-switching is used by Black employees for a variety of reasons.

Thirty-four percent of respondents in the poll said that they code-switched in the workplace. “Code Switch,” a popular NPR podcast and blog addressing issues relating to race, culture, and ethnicity, refers to code-switching as changing either one’s language or how one expresses themself in conversations. The reasons people code-switch at work, according to the survey, vary, as does the belief in the positive effects of the practice. Thirty-one percent of Black respondents believe that code-switching has had a positive impact, while 39% claim the practice has had no impact. Another 39% believe that if they stopped code-switching, it would hurt their career. 

According to Misty Gaither, Indeed’s vice president of global diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, employers should first understand what code-switching is. “Employers need to be aware of code-switching because you need to recognize when you’re getting the purest, most authentic version of a person that you’re bringing into your workforce,” said Gaither. “If somebody is feeling like they can’t really show all aspects of their identity, you’re missing out on parts of them that are actually going to be better for your business.”

Gaither continued, “A lot of times, we miss opportunities to build those genuine connections because of how we think a person is supposed to be relative to how they show up. If you as a leader model authenticity and openness, that’ll help with the frequency of code-switching and people needing to wear a mask to work.”

According to the study, four groups viewed code-switching as necessary: workers at companies that are scaling back DEI commitments (56%), Black employees (44%), workers between the ages of 18-34 (42%), and employees who have been discriminated against (39%). Black employees are familiar with the term “code-switching” and can recognize when other employees are doing it. Fifty percent of Black respondents say they have seen Black and other people of color engage in code-switching at work. 

Gaither said those numbers indicate the calculus that some Black employees feel needs to be performed in order for them to succeed in their workplaces. “We talk about it as this mask that we wear. It’s so many small pauses that Black people have to take. It’s a calculation that is very taxing and tiring to determine,” Gaither explained. “I think some people use code-switching as a strategy or a tactic.” 

Representation has little bearing on the employment of code-switching in the workplace, a finding that surprised Indeed. Thirty-four percent of workers have code-switched even at companies they think have a good representation of Black or other people of color in leadership positions. Thirty-two percent have code-switched at companies with diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

According to Nicole Dixon, a manager of business operations and the co-chair for Indeed’s Black Inclusion Group, diversity tends to lend itself to the comfort of employees, particularly employees from marginalized backgrounds. “Teams need to be more diverse. You want people to feel comfortable in environments where they don’t see themselves,” said Dixon. “If teams are more inclusive, and if I saw more individuals like myself and from a variety of different backgrounds in a room, I would feel more comfortable, because there are different opinions; there are different thoughts.”

Conversely, most Black people surveyed indicated that code-switching has had no impact on their mental health (56%). In contrast, those who believed it had a negative or positive effect were nearly identical, 23% and 21%, respectively. As NPR indicated in its reasons that people code-switch, the process is often unconscious, meaning many employees don’t actively think about code-switching — they perform it.

According to Yahan Mensah, a UX designer and regional co-chair of Indeed’s Black Inclusion Group, companies need to “harness the insights, questions, and feedback from their team members” to “Recogniz[e] that every individual within an organization contributes diverse perspectives shaped by their unique experiences.” 

To that point, Gaither said that a key for executives is to not impose their expectations for or of white people onto Black workers or workers of color. “It is really understanding the stories of people who are different from you,” Gaither said. “So if you are a C-suite executive and you spend the majority of your time in white-dominant spaces, and all of your closest peers are very similar to you — then that will be your lens. And you’re always going to be surprised when you meet someone who does not meet your bar for how someone should show up.” 

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 9, 2024

Black Organizations and DEI Activists Add Pressure To Combat Anti-DEI Tactics From Major Corporations 

Fight on!

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Civil rights, political, and advocacy groups have banded together to fight the growing antics of dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts from major corporations and billionaires.

The National Urban League, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Black Economic Alliance are some groups working tirelessly behind the scenes to fight this attack on the culture. Urban League President Marc H. Morial called the tactics a “literal slap in the face.” “We’re up against an effort to contort and misrepresent what DEI really means,” he said. 

Morial and other Black leaders have been rallying together in recent weeks after billionaires like X, formerly known as Twitter, owner Elon Musk, and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman began pushing their opposition to DEI initiatives. 

In December 2023, the Tesla founder tweeted, “DEI must DIE. The point was to end discrimination, not replace it with different discrimination.” He continued to ruffle some feathers when he attacked DEI programs put in place by the airline industry. He criticized DEI efforts by United Airlines and Boeing for wanting to hire pilots and factory workers of color. To make matters worse, he pushed false claims that diversifying workspaces will make air travel less safe.

Ackman pushed the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. into the discussion, claiming that the activist’s “I Have A Dream” speech proves he would be against DEI. He also led the push to get Harvard’s first Black president, Claudine Gay, out after feeling Gay provided a weak response to antisemitism on campus. 

Morial believes there is more work to be done within the DEI space. Thanks to legislation like the Civil Rights Act and equal employment opportunity programs, Black people have been offered balance in the workplace. “That opportunity might get you in the door, but it can’t sit for the test,” he said. “It can’t do the homework. It can’t sit for the bar exam or the medical board. You have to do that, and Black people have succeeded in doing the work when given the chance.

He isn’t alone in the fight. Activist and MSNBC host Al Sharpton holds protests at Ackman’s NYC office every Thursday until changes are made. The Congressional Black Caucus sent a letter to each Fortune 500 company questioning their DEI commitments, pledged in 2020 at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement. 

According to Daily Caller, the letter asked the companies to share data on their progress. “We know continued investments in diversity initiatives are essential to the success of your business and our country’s economy. We also understand companies are recalculating their risk tolerance in light of these unprecedented challenges that seek to dismantle your programs,” the letter reads.

“Our request is that you act on the overwhelming evidence and positive outcomes by expanding your company’s commitments to and investments in diversity initiatives, including supplier diversity programs. Together, we can overcome these baseless attacks and build a more resilient and inclusive economy that ensures continued prosperity for all.”

by Jameelah Mullen

February 9, 2024

Homeless Man Featured In Viral TikTok Video Has A Violent Past

Victim claims the man in viral TikTok video assaulted her in 2020.

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A homeless man who was featured in a heartwarming TikTok video allegedly has a history of violence, according to a report.

The TikTok video showed Sanai Graden walking by a man who asked her for a hot cup of tea. In a series of now-deleted videos, the college student spent the day with the man she affectionately called “Unc.” Graden purchased medicine and paid for a hotel room for “Unc,” whose real name is Alonzo Hebron. 

Graden created a GoFundMe campaign asking her followers to help support the homeless man, who is battling prostate cancer. The heartwarming video helped to garner over $400,000 in donations.

Days after the viral video was posted, Fox 5 released a report chronicling Hebron’s violent past. According to a police report, Hebron assaulted a homeless woman as she slept outside a Washington, D.C. church. Surveillance video shows Hebron placing a scarf over the sleeping woman’s head and punching her head and body repeatedly. 

The victim, who asked to remain anonymous, said she woke up in the hospital and didn’t remember what happened to her.

“I’m speechless,” she told Fox 5 News. “I do not understand how a human being can act like this. He’s a sociopath. He does not have a sense of remorse.”

According to the victim, Hebron has a reputation for being violent within the homeless community. 

In another incident, according to the U.S. District Attorney, Hebron was sentenced to five years in prison in 2012 after allegedly stabbing a man in the neck with a screwdriver. 

Despite what the victim endured at Hebron’s hands, she said she supported Graden for her act of kindness.

“First of all – kudos to the woman who did this. She meant well, and I do applaud her for that,” she said. 

As of today, the GoFundMe campaign created for Hebron remains active. 

by Jameelah Mullen

February 9, 2024

The Last Surviving Original Member Of The Iconic Spinners Dies

Fambrough, the Spinners' only original member, toured with the group for nearly 70 years.

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Henry Fambrough of the legendary R&B group The Spinners has died. He was 85.

The group’s spokeswoman, Tanisha Jackson, said the illustrious performer died of natural causes at his Northern Virginia home on Feb. 7.

Last May, in one of his last public appearances, the famed artist visited Motown’s Studio A in Detroit. While there, the Spinners donated 375 of their performance costumes to the museum. In 2023, Fambrough was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame along with bandmates Billy Henderson, Pervis Jackson, Bobby Smith, Philippé Wynn, and John Edwards. 

Fambrough is a native of Ferndale, MI, where he helped to form the legendary singing group in 1954. The Domingoes was the quintet’s first name, but they changed their name to the Spinners in 1961. Their first single, “What Girls Are Made For,” was recorded on the Tri-Phi Record label. The Spinners joined Motown when Motown founder Berry Gordy acquired the Tri-Phi label. 

The group released several singles in the 1960s, but “Truly Yours” made it to the Billboard Hot 100 R&B chart, peaking at No. 16. Because of their meager commercial success, the group members worked as chauffeurs, chaperones, and road managers for some of their more popular labelmates. 

In 1970, “It’s A Shame” peaked at No. 14 On the Billboard Top Hot 100 R&B chart. In 1972, The Spinners joined Atlantic Records, where they went on to record several chart-topping hits, including “Could It Be I’m Falling In Love,” “Working My Way Back To You,” “The Rubberband Man,” and “Then Came You” — featuring Dionne Warwick. 

The group underwent several changes due to internal conflict and deaths. Fambrough continued to tour with The Spinners before retiring in 2023.

Henry Fambrough is survived by his wife of 52 years, Norma, and their daughter, Heather Williams.

RELATED CONTENT: THE SPINNERS JOURNEY BACK TO MOTOWN TO DONATE PERFORMANCE SUITS TO MUSEUM

Why is marketing automation important?

Another example of how Colgate plans to use the tool is to easily summarize the sentiment of ratings and reviews. Instead of finding the information and doing a manual analysis, Colgate could ask “what is the sentiment of reviews for this product? ” If many of the highest-ranking reviews highlight a certain attribute, such as good flavor, Colgate can then update the product detail page with this information.

It could ask the bot, “What is the optimal title length to drive sales in this category? ” The bot could then answer with the ideal length of characters for the specific category on that merchant’s website. AI-driven personalization is reshaping marketing, offering unparalleled insights and engagement opportunities with consumers. Its potential is vast, but businesses must balance technological innovation with transparency and ethics.

How Generative AI Can Help Solve Demand Generation Challenges

Many online retailers are now using chatbots to assist customers with their shopping experience, from answering product questions to recommending products and even completing transactions—including payment. This can help improve the customer experience and increases sales and conversion rates. Seamless.ai lets sales professionals build targeted prospect lists, find contact information, and engage with potential customers.

AI-driven CRO tools can help you grow your optimization efforts by handling larger volumes of data and more complex tasks without needing to scale up your resources or personnel. With this level of scalability, you can keep high performance standards without having to hire more people. Engagement metrics ChatGPT App can yield what Whigham called “objective metrics” but can also help determine the quality of the interactions between the platforms and understanding intent. One of the main reasons there is varied opinion about chatbots amongst organizations concerns is the complexity of their customers’ problems.

Kia drives 21% conversion rate with chatbot ‘Kian’

Once you identify the challenges, understand where and how the bot can help solve these goals, according to Srinivasan. Yes, there are industry-specific AI sales tools that serve the needs of different business sectors. Many AI sales tools offer customization and adaptability to various industries. Adequate customer support is essential for resolving any issues or answering questions that may arise.

Essentially, the move from intuition to AI-driven methods underscores technology’s transformative role in contemporary marketing. By carefully considering these important factors of conversational AI, this new technology can best be implemented to ensure it benefits your desired use case. This professional certificate course helps prepare you for a career in social media marketing. You can receive professional-level training from Meta for using Meta Ads Manager to launch Facebook and Instagram ad campaigns and interpret results from these campaigns. After completing the six-course series, you can demonstrate proficiency in portfolio-ready projects and earn an employer-recognized certificate from Meta. Beginners who want to qualify for in-demand job titles such as social media manager, social media specialist, and social media coordinator will find this professional certification beneficial for their careers.

Drift’s AI-powered chatbots can engage with website visitors, answer frequently asked questions, schedule meetings, and route qualified leads to sales representatives. ZoomInfo is a multiplatform operating system that delivers accurate and real-time insights to over 35,000 companies worldwide. It offers five solutions for sales, marketing, operations, talent, and data as a service (DaaS). This platform offers comprehensive contact database management with up-to-date data, advanced search capabilities, and automated data enrichment. ZoomInfo Copilot enables teams to centralize high-quality data and employs sophisticated AI to prioritize the right accounts and personalize recommendations for better decision-making. Copilot processes thousands of signals and data points to generate a tailored summary of an in-depth analysis of a company’s customer base.

Businesses use AI-powered predictive analytics models to forecast future sales volumes, trends, purchase likelihood, churn risk, and more. You can use the patterns and correlations in past sales data to launch targeted campaigns to encourage purchases and retain customers. Currently, the Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms used by chatbots are not very accurate. This leads to chatbots not understanding human conversation, which can be frustrating for customers.

We considered whether the software offered advanced AI capabilities. We also evaluated the quality of reporting tools and the ability to personalize the software, and whether it offers data-driven support and integrates with other tools. Progressive sales leaders have used AI and machine learning to increase the efficiency of their organizations. Revenue operations and enablement teams have fine-tuned advanced models built for the structured data housed in tools like CRM systems.

We evaluated the software provider’s support channels, such as email, live chat, or phone, and considered their responsiveness and helpfulness. Additionally, we assessed whether the software offered training or resources to help users get started quickly. While other options may offer broader functionalities, Murf AI excels in providing natural-sounding voices for various sales outreach efforts, including podcasts, videos, and virtual assistants. With its emphasis on enhancing the human-like voice experience, Murf AI benefits sales professionals looking to elevate their outreach efforts through audio content. Sembly AI’s team assistant is designed to help teams transcribe, take meeting notes, and generate insights for client calls.

Don’t forget to plan for the times when visitors deviate from the curated path. No matter how much we plan and prune the perfect customer journey, website visitors will undoubtedly stray from those carefully crafted paths and discover content in click pathways that are unique to them. Teams need to be able to test, gain insights and move quickly in response to the data that lives within their website.

A chatbot system also requires other components, such as a user interface, a dialogue management system, integration with other systems and data sources, and voice and video capabilities in order to be fully functional. Additionally, it’s ChatGPT important to ensure that the chatbot is properly trained and can handle a wide range of customer queries and tasks. A recent report predicts that AI-powered chatbots will handle up to 70% of customer conversations by the end of 2023.

You can foun additiona information about ai customer service and artificial intelligence and NLP. Through its AI technology, it provides accurate and verified data to help users focus on the right prospects and improve their conversion rates. It’s this ability to use AI to help with targeting that makes Seamless a candidate for those businesses seeking help for their business development teams. Kartra is an all-in-one platform that helps entrepreneurs and businesses build, market, and sell their products and services online.

Dynamic pricing and continuous ad performance optimization also contribute to higher revenues. AI marketing makes your efforts more efficient and effective, leading to better financial results. Marketers can use AI to handle repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on strategy and creativity. AI provides data-driven insights, but human judgment is still crucial for decision-making. It offers a high ROI by reducing wasted ad spend and increasing targeting precision. AI also provides valuable insights that can be used to refine marketing strategies.

Beeline is a direct-to-consumer mortgage origination and technology company providing mortgages to homeowners and investors seeking an easier path through a digital platform. It processes applications and answers questions for mortgage borrowers 24/7 for both conventional and non-qualified mortgages. Most of the top 50 lenders will deny a borrower if they cannot qualify for a conventional mortgage. The underwriting for these loans is often more suited to consumers who earn income in the gig economy or who are self-employed. Beeline’s platform was built for digital-first consumers – making it the perfect fit for Millennials and Gen Z.

Consulting and financial services have slightly higher bounce rates, but still perform well, showing successful communication strategies in these fields. Voice search and visual search present new opportunities to engage with consumers in a more natural and intuitive way. By optimizing your content and advertising campaigns for voice and visual search, you can ensure that your brand remains visible and relevant in an increasingly competitive landscape. AI marketing can refine your audience targeting, optimize ad spend, and personalize content. It helps with real-time ad buying, dynamic pricing, and sentiment analysis. These tactics are designed to boost your ROI and enhance customer satisfaction.

They’re designed using technologies such as conversational AI to understand human interactions and intent better before responding to them. They’re able to imitate human-like, free-flowing conversations, learning from past interactions and predefined parameters while building the bot. To be able to offer the above benefits, chatbot technology is continually evolving.

Best practices for using chatbots in ecommerce

This can help businesses attract more organic traffic and reach a wider audience, leading to more leads and conversions. One of the most personal and unique touchpoints in the apparel shopping experience is fit. Integrating AI technology in the apparel retail sector marks a pivotal shift in the industry’s approach to boosting conversion rates and mitigating returns. With an average conversion rate of 3%, email marketing proves to be an effective channel for driving sales. Marketers should focus on optimizing their email content and calls to action to maintain or improve this conversion rate.

• The direct nature of email allows for efficient follow-ups, detailed proposals and the ability to keep communication records, making it an ideal channel for professional interactions.
• By prioritizing transparency and accountability, businesses can ensure that AI is used ethically in marketing, promoting consumer trust and regulatory compliance.
• Its technology decides exactly which of Olay’s 100 or so products to recommend, and in what combinations.

Machine learning models analyze historical data to predict future actions. These models can forecast what products a customer is likely to buy next or when they might make a purchase. According to 57% of respondents, they use chatbots to understand their audience better.

This enables sales professionals–and other team members–to quickly create automations and select the best AI model for their needs. Reclaim.ai stands out as one of the top AI sales tools for managing schedules and maximizing productivity. By analyzing past behaviors and preferences, Reclaim.ai optimizes time usage, helping busy sales professionals stay focused on high-impact activities and drive sales success. A bot that may cost you little to no money relative to the sales department budget can handle entry-level lead interactions completely on autopilot.

Additionally, conversational AI chatbots can be programmed to handle a wide range of tasks, including answering frequently asked questions, troubleshooting technical issues and even completing cross-channel transactions. Invest in the right AI solutions or marketing tools to fit your goals, needs, and budget. Also consider the solution’s usability, scalability, built-in AI features, and customization options.

Customer Service

However, only 13% of businesses enable recipients to respond to their SMS messages. While texting is also a great way to meet customers where they are, customers also want to be able to talk at any time. In an independent study, we found that 45% of leads want to talk after hours.

AI is used in sales to analyze customer data, predict purchasing behaviors, personalize interactions, and automate routine tasks such as lead scoring and email campaigns, enhancing efficiency and increasing revenue. The key takeaway is that assessing your needs before choosing AI sales software for your business is essential. Determine what aspects of sales and marketing you most need to boost using AI technology. Once you have identified your specific needs, choose an AI sales software that offers features and functionalities that align with your requirements. Hassenfelt expects this tool to save its teams weeks or months of time in manual analysis.

European nations, including Belgium, France and the Netherlands, contribute significantly to global email volumes. Japan, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Australia are also among the top 10. The high email activity in these countries shows the central role of email in daily communication and business operations. You can prepare for such innovations by embracing current AI-driven methodologies and continuously learning and adapting to the evolving landscape of digital advertising. Make sure you stay informed about emerging technologies and evolving ethical practices.

Machine learning tools enable marketers to easily identify patterns, predict behaviors, and segment their customer base. Ensure that your data collection practices are ethical and adhere to privacy regulations. Integrate data from other sources, like CRM systems, social media tools, and analytics platforms, to get a more comprehensive view of your customers.

Although chatbots can handle many tasks, they are not yet able to completely replace human interaction. For this reason, businesses will still need to provide some form of human oversight– or human in the loop (HITL) – to ensure that customers are getting the best possible experience. The idea of AI appealed to Joe & the Juice, so it ran an A/B test with Pixis, which promises to use AI to optimize campaigns for efficiency better than Meta can. The test showed that, in comparison to Meta, the cost per install fell 12% with Pixis, while conversion rates jumped 14%. For Joe & The Juice campaigns in Europe, the conversion rate ranged between 40% and 44%, compared to 55% in the US. Powered by artificial intelligence, an ecommerce chatbot is implemented by online retailers as a virtual shopping assistant to engage customers at every stage of their buying journey.

The brand takes pride in its considerate and attentive approach to meeting guests’ wishes and needs, focusing on every detail to ensure a truly exceptional stay. Whether it is tourists, business travellers, weekenders, or conference attendees, Leonardo Hotels warmly welcomes guests seeking to make the most of their experience. Navigating challenges in guest communication, Leonardo Hotels leveraged HiJiffy’s innovative solution to streamline operations and foster seamless interactions. Through firsthand testimonials, discover how this partnership enabled Leonardo Hotels to increase service quality and efficiency, setting new benchmarks in guest satisfaction. Praveen Gujar has 15+ years’ experience launching enterprise data products in digital advertising and AI/ML.

In some cases chatbots will do better than humans, in some other cases it will be exactly the opposite,” Torras said. Before thinking about metrics or defining chatbot program success, Srinivasan said organizations should understand the business challenges they’re trying to solve or what they’re trying to improve by using a chatbot. Define the scope the bot is going to play in addressing these challenges or improvements, Srinivasan added. User-friendliness ensures the sales team can easily adopt the software. We evaluated the software’s interface, navigation, and overall intuitiveness. Read our guide to the Top Generative AI Apps and Tools to find additional AI tools to support your business needs.

Email is regarded as the best channel for reaching prospects by 73% of B2B marketers. This preference shows the high engagement and response rates that email marketing achieves in the B2B sector. Using historical chatbot conversion rate data to create a predictive analytics model has been a big help to me personally. I am now able to predict, in a matter of minutes, the lifetime value of each consumer for each campaign for my clients.

Marketers can identify patterns and factors used to build more valuable relationships, so they can tailor recommendations for products and services or deliver personalized support. Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming advertising by replacing generic mass marketing campaigns with highly targeted and relevant ads created by and personalized with AI. The latest AI and machine learning technologies make it possible to tailor and optimize marketing messages at scale. By harnessing large amounts of data and helping businesses understand their customers’ needs and preferences on a personal level, AI lets you customize messages and recommendations at every stage of the buyer’s journey. AI enables the creation of highly targeted and personalized marketing campaigns. It can customize content, ads and communication to specific audiences to help increase engagement and conversion rates.

Continuously test different strategies and monitor your results, so you can refine your marketing campaign based on data-driven insights. Learn how marketing automation best practices, like using behavior-based triggers and A/B testing, can help marketers reach and engage more audiences. By identifying potential issues before they escalate, telco companies can reduce downtime, improve service reliability, and enhance customer satisfaction.

If you’ve been using Siri, smart chatbots are pretty much similar to it. No matter how you pose a question, it’s able to find you a relevant answer. A simple chatbot will ask you for the order number and provide you with an order status update or a tracking URL based on the option you choose. While the relevancy of “human” conversations still remains, the need for instant replies is where it gets tough for live agents to handle the new-age consumer.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 9, 2024

Spike Lee And Denzel Washington Team Up For Kurosawa’s ‘High And Low’

After nearly 20 years since their last film together, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are reuniting for a remake of Kurosawa’s "High and Low."

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After nearly 20 years since their last film together, Spike Lee and Denzel Washington are reuniting for a remake of Kurosawa’s “High and Low.”

The Academy Award-winning director and actor will be making their fifth film together which will be released theatrically by A24 before a global launch on AppleTV+, Variety reports. The new thriller serves as an English-language reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s 1963 crime thriller of the same name which drew inspiration from Ed McBain’s novel “King’s Ransom.”

Set to begin filming in March, Lee’s version follows the downfall of a businessman after making a ransom payment to kidnappers. A24, Escape Artists, and Mandalay Pictures have collaborated to develop and produce “High and Low,” a film with a screenplay penned by Alan Fox and Spike Lee.

The new film marks Lee and Washington’s first film together since 2006’s “Inside Man.” They share a long history working alongside each other on cult-classic films under Lee’s 40 Acres and a Mule banner including 1990’s “Mo’ Better Blues,” 1992’s “Malcolm X,” and 1998’s “He’s Got Game.”

This will be a passion project for Lee who has expressed his admiration for Kurosawa, telling Vulture in 2015 that the Japanese filmmaker’s 1950 movie “Rashomon” inspired his 1986 comedy “She’s Gotta Have It.” Just last year, Lee likened his career trajectory goals to that of Kurosawa.

“Kurosawa was 86! I got to at least get to Kurosawa,” he said, as captured by The Guardian.

The “High and Low” film is highly regarded in Hollywood with the film with Steven Soderbergh drawing inspiration from the story for his 2023 miniseries “Full Circle,” and Martin Scorsese having reported plans of a remake back in 2008. However, Scorsese’s based on a script by David Mamet never materialized.

Lee and Washington’s remake could bring about new Oscar nominations for the two award holders considering Kurosawa’s most recent remake 2022’s “Living,” which served as a new take on his 1952 film “Ikiru, received an Oscar nomination.

RELATED CONTENT: Four $5 Movies Playing At AMC Theatres For Black History Month

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 8, 2024

Travis Kelce Does Not Want The ‘Fade’

"It's absolutely ridiculous... But I didn’t invent that. I just asked for it.”

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In another case of attempted theft of Black culture, The New York Times credited Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce for creating what we have been wearing for years: the “fade” haircut. Yet, knowing the origins or at least knowing HE didn’t come up with it, the Super Bowl-bound Kelce cleared it up for the white folks that he wasn’t responsible for the style.

A video clip posted by Vegas Sports Today on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, revealed the comments as Kelce laughed at the notion that he created it, and he also brings up that this abomination was brought up at the beginning of Black History Month.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous. And to do it on Feb. 1 and throw me to the wolves like that. That was just messed up, man. I don’t want anything to do with that one. I got a good fade if you need it, though. I get a No. 2 on top with a high to mid fade with a taper in the back. But I didn’t invent that. I just asked for it.”

Travis Kelce confirms he did not invent the taper fade.

🎥: By @Sean_Zittel, Vegas Sports Today#SuperBowlLVIII pic.twitter.com/7YctXphYez

— Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) February 6, 2024

Hopefully, that puts to rest another feature of our culture to be taken and mislabeled by others who seem to love taking from us to credit those who have nothing to do with the origins.

NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe and fellow NFL Pro Bowler Chad “Ocho Cinco” Johnson discussed the topic after they also heard about The New York Times’ misrepresentation. After reading an article referencing the media outlet giving the Chiefs player all the credit for the “fade,” Sharpe and Ocho Cinco had to speak on it.

“So, New York Times, so that’s how you start Black History? Giving Trav, and that’s my nephew, you gonna give him credit for the fade? We’ve been seeing the fade for years!” Sharpe stated.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nightcap (@nightcapshow_)

Props to Kelce for clearing that up!

RELATED CONTENT: Travis Kelce’s Ex Kayla Nicole Shares Powerful Video To Black Women Amid Taylor Swift ‘Backlash‘

by Selena Hill

February 8, 2024

DEI Execs Share The Inside Scoop On How To Get Hired Swiftly

Studies also show that diversity enhances creativity and makes us better thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, and decision-makers.

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Originally Published Aug. 11, 2016

Decades of scientific research show that hanging out with people who, for example, differ in ethnicity or sexual orientation actually makes us better as human beings. Studies also show that diversity enhances creativity and makes us better thinkers, problem-solvers, innovators, and decision-makers.

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice recently highlighted the benefits of diversity while calling out our national security workforce for being overwhelmingly “white, male, and Yale’ during her commencement speech at Florida International University.

“By now, we should all know the dangers of ‘groupthink,’ where folks who are alike often think alike, said Rice, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. “By contrast, groups comprised of different people tend to question one another’s assumptions, draw on divergent perspectives and experiences, and yield better outcomes.

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to two Chief Diversity Executives—Candice Morgan, Head of Diversity at Pinterest, and Khary Scott, Vice President of Business Development, Diversity Champion, and Executive Sponsor of the African American Network at Capital One bank—about their efforts to create inclusion as well as the characteristics they look for when hiring people.

What Do Chief Diversity Executives Look for When Hiring New Talent?

“Diversity is not optional,” says Candice Morgan, Head of Diversity at Pinterest, the popular social media platform with over 500 employees and offices around the world.

When it comes to recruiting talent, Morgan says Pinterest specifically looks for “people with strong intellectual curiosity and a variety of interests—people who continually strive to know more.”

Morgan adds, “We also look for people who are strong in a value we call ‘knitting,’ connecting divergent points of view together for holistic and innovative problem-solving.

How to Get Hired

According to Morgan, applicants should highlight how they have “taken a proactive approach to solving problems or created new ways of doing things on their résumés.”

“For example, have you taken initiative on a project that is important to you and your present employer? Showcase what you’ve developed and key results. Be prepared to talk about what you learned along the way,” Morgan says.

When asked what he looks for when hiring new talent at Capital One, Khary Scott emphasized the importance of having a quality communication style and skills. “I want to know how a candidate communicates, so [I can see if] their personal and professional experience is relevant and will make our company better. I want to understand what it is about the candidate that will add a necessary voice to our conversation, Scott says.

He also says that an applicant who can demonstrate the “so what? Factor on their résumé will likely get a callback. “So what is it about this specific candidate that will positively impact our environment and contribute to our culture? A résumé needs to connect your experience to our challenge—linking those two can get me to take action and move the process forward,” he adds.

A Culture of Inclusion

But hiring talent from diverse backgrounds “is only half of the story, says Scott. It’s equally important to reinforce “an inclusive culture where that talent wants to stay and succeed.”

“By building teams as diverse as the communities and customers we serve and providing an environment rooted in inclusion, Capital One can offer better products, services, and customer experiences, Scott says.

“A more diverse company isn’t just great for employees and the industry; it’s smart for our business. A company that’s more diverse and inclusive is a more creative and effective one,” says Morgan.

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by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 8, 2024

Russell Simmons Forced To Enter Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against L.A. Reid

Russell Simmons is having his name dragged into the sexual abuse lawsuit against L.A. Reid due to his alleged sexual assault of the plaintiff.

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Russell Simmons is having his name dragged into the sexual abuse lawsuit against L.A. Reid due to his alleged sexual assault of the plaintiff.

Reid’s legal team filed recent documents in Manhattan federal court requesting all documents and electronic messages related to Drew Dixon’s abuse allegations against Simmons, Radar Online reports. Dixon is suing Reid for allegedly assaulting her twice during her time working under him at Arista Records and retaliating against her when she turned down his advances.

Before working at Arista, Dixon worked at Def Jam with Russell Simmons, where she claims to have been raped by the label’s co-founder in 1995. Dixon spoke candidly about her allegations against Simmons and Reid in the 2020 documentary “On The Record.”

Reid, the former head of Arista, Epic, and Def Jam Records, plans to use Dixon’s allegations against Simmons in his defense. His team filed a joint discovery report requesting all “documents related to [Dixon] sexual assault or sexual harassment allegations against Russell Simmons, including public statements, legal correspondence, and any agreements.”

“[Dixon’s] communications with any individual regarding Defendant, Russell Simmons, and any other individuals who allegedly sexually harassed or assaulted her, and/or interfered with her career success.”

Reid also wants to see Dixon’s “psychological, psychiatric, therapeutic, and/or counseling records.” He is repped by attorney Bobbi Sternheim, the same lawyer who served as the lead defense attorney for convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

The music exec is also repped by Los Angeles defense attorney Shawn Holley, who represented convicted rapist and Scientologist Danny Masterson. He “anticipates objecting and/or moving to quash if the parties are unable to reach agreement on limiting the scope of the served discovery.”

Meanwhile, Simmons remains in Bali, Indonesia, where he continues to deny all allegations made by Dixon and the 17 other women who accuse him of sexual assault. In December, Simmons broke his silence on the allegations and claimed to have undergone “nine lie detector tests,” that he believes confirm that he’s “never done this to anyone.”

“I’ve never been violent to anybody,” Simmons said. “Of course, I’ve been insensitive, but certainly never been forceful in any of my relationships, all of which I’ve had have been consensual.”

Simmons, who admitted to having “slept” with “thousands” of people, says he might have different recollections of what transpired than the people he slept with.

“I was in so many compromising situations that people can have a recollection from 30 or 40 years ago, and it can be different from my recollection,” he said.

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by Sharelle B. McNair

February 8, 2024

Meet The Black Women Leading The Democratic Party In The Early Primary States 

Black women taking the power back!

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For the first time, Black women are taking control of the Democratic Party in three primary states.

With the Democratic presidential primaries kicked off in South Carolina on Feb. 3, the light is starting to shine on President Biden’s campaign and where he stands amongst Black voters. On top of solid endorsements from Congressman Rep. Jim Clyburn and Vice President Kamala Harris, three Black women are stepping into the spotlight in hopes of reflecting the party’s diversity. 

Christale Spain – South Carolina 

Christale. Spain is the first Black woman to serve as Democratic Party chair and is excited to prove to doubtful voters that Biden is the right man for the job– again. Putting the narrative to bed about Biden losing grip on — especially Black men, Spain said it’s all about the lack of knowledge.

“I see the negative perceptions about him online, but I don’t feel it here in the state, especially when we’re going around talking to Black voters about this administration’s accomplishments,” she told Politico. 

“I don’t see a scenario where Black voters won’t vote for Joe Biden.”

Elected in April 2023, Spain is one of many Democrats who have carried the party on her back. She recognizes that even before she was elected.

“Even before I got involved in the party, Black women have really been showing up for Democratic candidates,” she said. “We show up and volunteer. We show up and vote, really, as a big voting bloc.”

Daniele Monroe-Moreno – Nevada 

Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno took over the Nevada State Democratic Party in March 2023 in a heated battle against former chair Judith Whitmer. In a predominantly red state, Monroe-Moreno knew that 2024 was the year to take back control.

“2024 is far too important. The division in our party had to come to an end,” she said, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. 

“I ran so we could bring the family, the Democratic family, back together. Just like any other family, we’re not always going to agree on everything all the time.”

The proud mom and grandmother is about restoring the broken pieces of the blue party. As the first Black woman to serve as state chair, Monroe-Moreno wants Nevada voters to have faith in Biden — just like they did in 2020 when the president won the state by 2.7 percentage points.

“It’s about unifying this party to get behind the people that we have currently in office to make sure we get them reelected,” she said.

“And it’s also seeking and mentoring and training young Democrats to come and take those seats behind us. I’m the first; I don’t want to be the last.” 

Lavora Barnes – Michigan

Lavora Barnes is no stranger to the world of politics as she was reelected as Michigan Democratic Party Chair for a third two-year term in February 2023. Eyes have been on the state — the fifth state to hold the presidential primary in 2024. Under Barnes’ leadership, the party successfully flipped the state House and Senate in 2022 and secured Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) for another four years. 

Working for multiple campaigns, including as the state director for Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign, Barnes understands the importance of knowing your audience.

“I recognize the importance of having conversations year-round so that your first conversation with a voter isn’t asking for a vote,” Barnes told 19th News. 

 “That was our goal, to build an organization, what we call Project 83” — named after Michigan’s 83 counties — “that lets folks have an ongoing relationship with their party.” 

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