The National Association of Black Journalists, NABJ

by Jaimee Ratliff

September 9, 2023

NABJ Members Propose Move To Bring Historic Organization To Philadelphia

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has announced an initiative to bring the historic organization to Philadelphia.

According to NABJ, there are currently no certified chapters of the association in the city. However, a group of members are looking to change that. Philadelphia is the fourth-largest media market in the country, and Black journalists will benefit from the community membership provides. “We applaud the enthusiastic efforts and plans of this NABJ member-driven movement,” said NABJ President Ken Lemon. “The national organization supports this organic effort by local journalists to reconnect the NABJ Philadelphia chapter to its historic roots.” The association’s board of directors is slated to meet in the city next month to further cement the initiative.

Former Philadelphia chapter presidents are leading the charge for the proposed launch, including former Regional Director and NABJ 2017 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Days. “We are looking forward to working closely with NABJ to quickly develop a dynamic Philadelphia chapter with strong, formal ties to NABJ. That is our legacy; that is our mission,” he said. More than 4,000 Black journalists and media professionals are members of the organization, which prides itself on providing innovative, quality programs and services.

The association also advocates on behalf of its members to continue its commitment, which includes strengthening ties among Black journalists, student journalists, journalism educators, and media professionals, sensitizing all media to the importance of fairness in the workplace for Black journalists, expanding job opportunities and recruiting activities for veteran, young and aspiring Black journalists and media professionals while also providing professional development and training as well as fostering an exemplary group of professionals that honors excellence and outstanding achievements by Black journalist, and in the media industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to providing balanced coverage of the community and society at large.

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 9, 2023

NYC Reaches $75K Settlement With Black Mother Separated from Newborn After Positive Marijuana Test

New York City is making amends with a traumatized mother. The city’s child welfare agency has reached a $75,000 settlement with Chanetto Rivers who was separated from her child, after giving birth, for smoking marijuana, the New York Daily News reports.

According to an Aug. 2021 federal discrimination lawsuit, the Bronx native and her newborn were drug-tested without her consent. The test came back positive for cannabis, prompting the city’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) to illegally separate Rivers from her newborn.

At the time, cannabis was legal in the state and state law forbids family separation on that basis alone.

A judge tried to intervene on Rivers’ behalf, but ACS continued to pursue the case for months, before finally withdrawing the charges. Rivers says she filed the lawsuit, not just for herself but for other Black families going through these issues.

“I didn’t just bring this lawsuit for myself, but for every Black family that ACS has ripped apart,” Rivers said.

“They know what they did was wrong. And now, they’re on notice.”

Rivers told doctors and nurses in the maternity ward that she smoked marijuana just hours before giving birth to her third child. Forty-eight hours later, Rivers’ lawyers say the agency instructed the hospital not to release the baby to their client. It was almost a week and numerous trips to court later that a judge finally granted Rivers custody of her son.

Rivers was further subjected to parenting and anger management classes along with more drug tests. ACS caseworkers also showed up to her home without notice at various hours of the day. Her legal team said she was being targeted because she is Black.

“We are glad that Ms. Rivers was able to call attention to ACS’s deplorable history of racial discrimination against marginalized families,” case lead counsel and director of the Impact Litigation Practice, Niji Jain said, according to The Imprint. “ACS continued to rely on outdated racist stereotypes and tropes about Black parents.”

NYC’s Health + Hospitals has fought to get rid of drug testing on new and expecting mothers in public hospitals as the practice can lead to newborns being placed in foster care and separated from their mothers during a delicate stage in the infant’s life.

The city’s public hospitals, totaling 11, now need written detailed consent for toxicology testing during pregnancy.

$100 Million Alitheia IDF Fund Emerges As Africa’s Largest ‘Gender-Lens’ Fund

by Stacy Jackson

September 9, 2023

$100 Million Alitheia IDF Fund Emerges As Africa’s Largest ‘Gender-Lens’ Fund

This early investor is changing business funding for women business owners in Africa in the biggest way.

Tokunboh Ishmael, a co-founder of Alitheia IDF, is said to have “the biggest ‘gender-lens’ fund in Africa,” AfroTech reported.

Ishmael has more than 20 years of experience in investing, TechCrunch noted. She launched Alitheia Capital, a private equity firm, in 2007.

Alitheia IDF is in the business of helping women owners and entities that support or directly impact women in some way.

The co-founder told TechCrunch in an interview, “We are not just addressing the imbalance of funding to female founders, but also the imbalance of products and services to ensure that women can access them,” Ishmael explained to the outlet.

Ishmael and co-founder Polo Leteka help businesses with financing, mentorship, strategic growth, access to markets, and access to talent.

“We want them to scale and help inject gender consciousness into the founding teams, the management teams, the boards, and the companies,” said Leteka.

To date, the fund has invested in JetStream, ReelFruit, SweepSouth, Chikas, Skld, Psaltry, Wemy, and Ivili Loboya, AfroTech reported.

TechCrunch reported that the investor started the fund after noticing a lack of female business ownership, even within Alitheia IDF’s portfolio.

According to the site, the investor said, “… we saw that even within our own portfolio, there was a scarcity of female owners. There was a poor representation of women in boardrooms and in management, and we felt that we could do better to diversify capital and address the issue that less than 5% of capital went to female founders.”

Alitheia IDF is valued at $100 million, TechCrunch reported. Plans for the funding are already underway.

“The $100 million just scratches the surface of the paucity of funding for female founders and companies that serve women. We anticipate that there will be other funds that will come along to further address and increase funding to these types of companies,” Ishmael said, according to AfroTech.

by Stacy Jackson

September 9, 2023

Amid Two-Week Closure, Black-Owned Bowling Alley In Ohio Continues To Give Back To Community

All Strikes Lanes is the only bowling alley in Toledo owned by two Black women.

Lakeila Carter and her business partner, Latoya Brown, are empowered and excited to give their bowling alley some clean renovations as they work to get business booming again. According to WTOL 11, Carter and Brown acquired the business in May 2022, and they want to upgrade the bowling alley to provide a better experience for visitors.

“As soon as we got it, we went in and started upgrading it. Like the bar floor, it was literally like a soft spot and they were going to fall in the ground,” Carter said.

Ahead of the alley’s second bowling season, scheduled to begin in the fall, the business partners have been hard at work making sure renovations are done within the two weeks of closing down the site.

“Once they see the lanes are getting done, maybe they’ll come back,” Carter said about the drop in customers the alley has experienced.

Upgrades to All Strikes Lanes plans for a menu expansion and exterior renovations following the completion of the inside of the alley.

“We’re trying to fix the things that are needed for them to bowl, to make them happy about bowling here,” Carter added.

The two women have not allowed obstacles with their business to interfere with their work throughout the community. Over the Labor Day weekend, All Strikes Lanes hosted a food truck festival event at its bowling spot. Visitors on Saturday had access to free school supplies and haircuts during the event from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Jim Mcdougall, who has worked at the alley for almost 15 years, appreciates Carter and Brown as the spot’s new owners. “We get some ups and downs, but we’re working them out,” Mcdougall said.

All Strikes Lanes is located at 5133 Telegraph Road in Toledo, Ohio.

by Stacy Jackson

September 8, 2023

Hurricane Katrina Survivor Now Leading The Battle Against Flooding In New Orleans

Meagan Williams was only a teen when Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, impacting her life forever.

Since the natural disaster that swept through the streets of New Orleans, Williams has focused on helping manage water in the city by educating herself about the power of water.

During an interview with Yale Climate Connections, Williams recalled the damage done to her aunt’s house, an impact that affected the home for months after.

“Every single window had blown out of the house,” Williams shared. “And the water line is maybe an inch from the top of the ceiling. Every single thing is caked in mud and mold…And that’s kind of when the wheels started turning… I pretty distinctly remember telling my mom that day some version of, ‘I want to help,’ — no idea what that meant.”

Williams pursued her desire to help and became a civil engineer. Today, she is the urban water program manager for New Orleans’ Office of Resilience and Sustainability. The role, said Williams, is a perfect fit as she works to design and implement strategies to manage excess water in New Orleans. This includes green infrastructure, which, according to The City of New Orleans’ Resilience and Sustainability website, uses plant species to “reduce flood risks and sinking and improve air, earth [and] water quality.”

Her job is vital in helping the city survive severe rain storms, which have increased this year.

“It’s like somebody just poured a bucket from the sky on top of us all at one time,” the Hurricane Katrina survivor explained, adding that the everyday summer storms in New Orleans are becoming more frequent.

In meeting the challenges of climate change, Williams is dedicated to the prevention of dangerous flooding throughout New Orleans.

by Stacy Jackson

September 8, 2023

BGM! Coco Gauff’s Victory Qualifies Her For First US Open Final

Coco Gauff, the 19-year-old tennis player, is not letting her young age keep her from achieving great success. Gauff is the first American teen, since Serena Williams, to work their way to the title match in New York.

Despite a whirlwind of a day, Gauff emerged victorious, reaching her first final at Flushing Meadows against her opponent Karolina Muchova. According to the Associated Press, this victory puts her one win away from becoming a Grand Slam champion. Gauff defeated Muchova 6-4, 7-5.

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ESPN reported that Gauff kept her focus throughout the game even when environmental activists stalled the match by 49 minutes. One went as far as gluing his bare feet to the concrete floor in the stands. “If that’s what they felt they needed to do to get their voices heard, I can’t really get upset at it,” Gauff said.

Gauff was not lacking in support during her match against Muchova. As she played for the game point, umpire Alison Hughes had to quiet down the crowd continuously. “I knew I had the legs and the lungs to outlast her in the rally; it was whether I had the mentality and patience to do it,” Gauff said.

Gauff has been on fire since her first-round exit at Wimbledon in July and now adds her victory against Muchova to make it 11 games in a row she has won and her 17th in the past 18 matches. Last year, Gauff was a contender for a trophy in the French Open, but she lost the title match. However, Gauff said, “I really believe that now I have the maturity and ability to do it.”

“You know, regardless of what happens on Saturday, I’m really proud of how I have been handling the last few weeks,” Gauff said as she awaits her upcoming match.

Gauff, the No. 6 seed, is set to compete against No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the Gland Slam championship match on Saturday.

by Stacy Jackson

September 8, 2023

NC A&T Graduate Creates HBCU Legacy Fashion, Connecting Generations And Supporting HBCU Education

Cheylaina Fultz is confident in building her legacy in the HBCU world.

The North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alumna is the creative mind behind the fashion-forward designs of HBCU Legacy Fashion, a collection focused on the children of HBCU graduates.

According to N.C. A&T News, the class of 2008 Mass Communication graduate launched her brand to raise awareness and celebrate the higher education offered at HBCUs.

Fultz originally envisioned a trendy clothing line for kids in 2019, which later expanded to adult apparel. She currently offers jackets, crop top hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, and other unique items.

“One thing we really want to stand for is being able to connect the youth to their parents’ HBCU,” Fultz said.

Fultz shared that her vision was to introduce something fresh to the market, offering classic pieces that could be passed down for generations and honor the HBCU legacy.

“Usually, you see heat-press t-shirts and stuff that’s going to fade. I wanted classic clothing that was going to last for a while,” she noted.

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The brand is about fashion, raising awareness, and funding the education of HBCU students.

“We held our first virtual vending for (A&T’s) homecoming in 2021, and in 2022, we held one in person. This year, we plan to do the same and expand out to a few other homecomings like Howard and Spell-House (Spelman-Morehouse),” Fultz said.

Educating children about HBCU history and culture is a major part of Fultz’s strategy to promote her brand. Along with visiting grade schools and career fairs, Fultz spreads information through the HBCU Legacy Fashion newsletter.

“Everyone on our mailing list gets fun facts to chat with their kids about,” she said. “So, we’re not just selling in our newsletter; we’re also providing valuable information.” The newsletter also has downloadable word search puzzles featuring different HBCUs for kids to complete.

“That’s one that N.C. A&T will instill into you confidence in your culture, your name, your background, and where you’re from,” said Fultz. She credited her alma mater for giving her the confidence to run her business.

HBCU Legacy Fashion is available in 36 Belk stores across the United States and online through Amazon Prime.

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by Stacy Jackson

September 8, 2023

Prices Are Rising, But Salaries Aren’t Keeping Up

Prices are going up, but pay remains stagnant.

Employee salaries are not keeping up with inflation in the U.S. In 2022, the cost of living was at a 40-year high, accompanied by a rise in gas and food prices, according to Essence.

Although inflation has declined from 9% to 3%, it still has not reached the Federal Reserve’s target of 2%, PBS reported. Amid the rising cost of living across the nation, workers are not receiving an increase in compensation to sustain their standard of living.

Talker polled 1,859 employees, of which 46% said they feel “somewhat recognized” at work, while 8% reported they did not feel recognized at all. According to Essence, the absence of recognition at jobs is likely related to a lack of rewards and salary increases. As workers are not recognized or praised for their work and successes within their places of employment, it can translate to not receiving compensation for accomplishments on the job.

In 2021, the average cost of rent was $2,000 a month, a 15% increase over the previous year. Although expenses have increased, pay raises do not match this energy.

In a WalletHub report from April 2023, William K. Tabb, professor of Economics, Political Science & Sociology, Emeritus – Queens College and Graduate Center of the City University of New York, says the inflation costs were initially attributed to “spending to help those impacted by Covid….”

Talker’s report on worker recognition highlights concerns addressed by employees regarding how valued they feel by the companies they work for, Essence noted.

A January 2023 report from Workhuman revealed that 50% of employees feel “somewhat valued” while 10% do not feel “valued at all.” The report stated, “A place where employees don’t feel valued likely isn’t a place they want to return to.”

The January report noted that diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts are often the first to get overlooked “as economic uncertainty continues into the new year.” As a result, forward-thinking organizations will benefit over their competition because of the value that will be placed on the employee.

Mother Allegedly Kept 9-Year-Old Daughter At Home Since 2017

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

September 8, 2023

Mother Allegedly Kept 9-Year-Old Daughter At Home Since 2017

A 9-year-old girl in Florida reportedly has not been allowed to leave her house for over six years. NHermother has been arrested and charged with felony child neglect for not allowing her daughter to leave their residence since 2017, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.

According to ABC News, Kelli McGriff-Williams did not allow her daughter, who has not been named, out of their home from 2017 to 2023. The 9-year-old was confined “the majority of the time to a bedroom.” The report also stated that the daughter has never been enrolled at school or educated.

Based on what is written in the arrest report, “The victim is unable to read and write. The defendant has never taken the victim to a doctor even when she has been very ill.”

Sometimes, McGriff-Williams allegedly did not give the girl food.

“The victim would have to beg to eat, and the defendant would not always provide food to the victim,” police wrote in an arrest report.

McGriff-Williams was involuntarily admitted under the Baker Act criteria at Jackson South Hospital last month on Aug. 26.

The Baker Act is a Florida law that enables families and loved ones to provide emergency mental health services and temporary detention for people who are impaired because of mental illness and unable to determine their treatment needs.

McGriff-Williams was hospitalized due to her “altered mental state” after a police officer went to the home after an investigation into allegations from the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Police officers interviewed the daughter at her father’s residence on Aug. 30, and she confirmed the allegations. Her father, who is not living with McGriff-Williams, had informed police that he had been trying to gain custody of his daughter since 2017. He also told police officers that the allegations were true.

The mother was taken into custody on Sept. 1 when she was released from Jackson South Hospital. According to Miami-Dade County records, she was booked on Sept. 3 and is currently being held on a $5,000 bond.

At a court appearance on Thursday, Sept. 7, McGriff-Williams pleaded not guilty. A public defender was assigned to her case. No other information has been released.

Madam President? VP Kamala Harris Says She’s Prepared To Be President ‘If Necessary’

by Sharelle B. McNair

September 8, 2023

Madam President? VP Kamala Harris Says She’s Prepared To Be President ‘If Necessary’

Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris is confident that she and President Joe Biden will win reelection in 2024.

So confident that she’s prepared to take over the Oval Office, “if necessary,” she says. CBS News reports. While Republicans, critics, and even fellow Democrats have expressed concerns over Biden’s age, Harris says she isn’t worried. “We will win reelection, Harris told CBS’ Face the Nation moderator and chief foreign affairs correspondent Margaret Brennan. “There’s too much at stake and the American people know it.”

Biden will be 82 in 2024, and if he wins election again, he will be the oldest sitting U.S. president in history. Harris said she’s ready to step into the role of commander-in-chief “if necessary” but says her boss “is going to be fine.” “I work with Joe Biden every day,” Harris, 58, said. “The work that under Joe Biden’s leadership our administration has accomplished is transformative. I think the American people, most of all, want a leader who actually gets things done.”

The conversation about Biden’s age has sparked controversy among the 2024 presidential candidates. Brennan took the time to address several comments from candidates on the other side of the aisle. Former Trump cabinet member and South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley said, “A vote for Joe Biden is a vote for Kamala Harris,” and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed, “Harris is Biden’s impeachment insurance.”

Harris responded by taking a poke at critics who don’t have a plan. “We’re delivering for the American people. And the reality of it is that, unfortunately, very few of those who challenge our administration actually have a plan for America,” Harris said, according to The Hill. “Listen, this is not new. There’s nothing new about that … They feel the need to attack because they’re scared that we will win based on the merit of the work that Joe Biden and I, and our administration, has done.”