Black Art In America To Hold Inaugural Fine Art Print Fair
Black Art In America seeks to promote and highlight the works of Black visual artists across the nation, and is doing so in a new fashion.
The inaugural Fine Art Print Fair will display pieces made by groundbreaking Black printmakers in a display catered to the diversity in the specific medium.
The two-day event will take place at the home of Black Art In America, featuring a gallery and sculpture Garden, in Atlanta. On Aug. 11 and 12, attendees can enjoy the work of both legacy and modern printmakers. As printmaking is considered an “intricate process,” the storytelling behind the art form and the individual works will be spotlighted.
Whether one is a novice at viewing and collecting art, or an aficionado, the fair aspires to be collective space for all to peruse in delight at the extraordinary selection. Not only will guests learn more of the essence of printmaking, but why buying these pieces is a growing asset to one’s collection as well.
As a strong follow-up to the well-received “Better Days: Joy and Revolution” exhibit, which featured politically resonant pieces, the Print Fair will dive into multiple themes as printmaking is the main star. Presenting artists such as Jamaal Barber, KerryJames Marshall, and Robert Pruitt, visitors will get to connect on a greater scale with these visionaries through demonstrations and discussions of the process of printmaking.
Black Art In America continues to be a resource for African-American artists, hoping to spark even greater consideration and patronage for their innovative work. To learn more of this upcoming exhibit, which is free and open to the public, please visit its website.
The Black Art In America Gallery and Sculpture Garden is located at 1802 Connally Drive in Atlanta.
Kenosha Police Officers Seen On Video Beating Innocent Black Man Holding A Baby In His Arms
An innocent Black man was assaulted by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and beaten while holding a baby in his arms. After taking the baby away from him, they continued to punch him on the ground to eventually discover he wasn’t even the man they were looking for—and it was all caught on video.
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, police officers were summoned and told three people were involved in a hit-and-run and had run inside a nearby Applebee’s on July 20. The crash was alleged to have taken place at Highway 50 and Green Bay Road at about 11 p.m.
The police officers went into the Applebee’s off Highway 50 in Kenosha. An employee allegedly directed the police to two individuals, including the Black man seen being beaten and then arrested in the video. As the police approached the men, one was seen holding a newborn child in his arms, but that didn’t deter the officers from trying to apprehend him.
As a person records the scene, the police officers are seen being violent toward the unarmed man, even throwing him to the ground and throwing several hard punches at his head as he is grappled to the ground by the other two police officers in view.
It was revealed the people they were looking for had entered the restaurant. When they were beating up the wrong man, the suspects were allegedly hiding in the bathroom.
Police officers said, “The male was being detained as the crash was being investigated. The male attempted to leave against officers’ orders and was restrained. He resisted and the incident that was caught on camera unfolded from there.”
The police admitted that he was not responsible for the hit-and-run. Yet, they charged him with disorderly conduct, resisting and obstructing an officer. The woman who was with him also received the same charges as well as possession of marijuana.
WISN reported that the Kenosha Police Department released a statement about the incident.
“The Kenosha Police Department has an internal process in place to review our officer’s use of force that is more robust than what the state requires. We were aware of the incident immediately as a result of that process and started a review of it. Currently, it is under investigation. The investigation, when complete, will be comprehensive and dictate whether the officers acted appropriately or not and if any disciplinary action or additional training is deemed necessary.”
If you remember, the town of Kenosha, was the same place where Jacob Blake, who was also with his children at the time, was shot and paralyzed by Kenosha police back in 2020.
‘RHOP’ Star Juan Dixon’s Sexual Assault Case Dismissed
The sexual assault lawsuit against The Real Housewives of Potomac star Juan Dixon and his former employer, Coppin State University, has been dismissed.
The lawsuit, filed by a former player, accused a former staffer of blackmail and sexual assault. Late last month, it was thrown out, The Baltimore Banner reports. Baltimore Circuit Judge Melissa K. Copeland ruled during a hearing on Monday, July 24, based on various legal grounds.
Judge Copeland left grounds for the complaint to be amended, noting, “We are very much at the very beginning of the case,” she said.
Ibn Williams, 23, filed the lawsuit in 2022, accusing the university of seemingly protecting a member of the coaching staff—Lucian Brownlee. He claimed Brownlee blackmailed and sexually assaulted him. The complaint alleged that Brownlee, a teammate of Williams who went on to serve as director of player development, was guilty of inappropriate behavior.
Dixon, the former head basketball coach at Coppin State, was accused of failing to report Brownlee’s behavior to school officials. The lawsuit claimed Dixon informed Williams that Brownlee was “mentally ill or otherwise emotionally imbalanced.” It alleged the Director of Athletics Derek Carter and Coppin State knew about his history of instability. Carter was also named in the lawsuit.
Brownlee remains a defendant, while Dixon and the school were cleared. Williams has since transferred to Morehouse College, a private, historically Black college in Atlanta.
All counts against Carter, the University System of Maryland, and the State of Maryland were also dismissed.
But lawyers for Williams don’t want the dismissals to sway the public into thinking the claims made in the lawsuit are false.
“None of these change the allegations that we’re making,” Daniel “Donny” Epstein, lead counsel for Williams said. “They just clarify and, perhaps, maybe would’ve avoided the motion.”
Dixon served as the head men’s basketball coach of the Coppin State Eagles from 2017 until he was fired earlier this year amid the lawsuit. Between the lawsuit and revelations of his cheating scandal against his wife, Robyn Dixon, “RHOP” fans expect the drama to come forward in Season 8.
New Survey: 66% of Financial Executives Would Rather Quit Than Give Up Remote Work
With the passage of time, remote work and the adapting of the hybrid model has become increasingly normalized. Employees can work without the hustle and bustle of going into the office full-time. Some prefer to have the option. These systems of workplace flexibility breed an opportunity for companies to listen to employees’ needs, before high turnover sets in.
A new study published by Deloitte illustrates just how tied executive professionals, specifically in the financial sector, are to flexible working arrangements. Out of 700 full-time executives at U.S financial services organizations, 66% of executives who work remotely at least part-time said they would likely quit if they were required to work in the office full-time.
If the employee had a plan to exit their position in the next 12 months, 35% of executives report they would leave for more flexibility and 32% would pursue a role that better aligned with their work-life balance goals.
Though some financial institutions now require employees to return to the office three to four days a week, only 18% of respondents say this would be their “ideal arrangement.” Office attendance is lower in large firms in the knowledge economy, according to a recent McKinsey survey. On finance firms with over 25,000 on staff, employees work from the office anywhere between 2.5 and 3 days.
Meanwhile, over half of executives polled say they feel pressured to go into the office more often. They fear losing their jobs as a result of eroding engagement, lower decision-impact, and disconnection with the organization as a whole.
Flexibility
According to Deloitte’s recent “Inclusive or isolated? New DEI considerations when working from anywhere” report, most financial services executives report workplace flexibility as the top key benefit of remote work. In fact, 45% of these professionals find value in “structuring their daily tasks” around their ability to work remotely or go into the office.
Money savings
A whopping 69% of executives find remote work to be less harsh on their commuter pockets. Whether you’re driving, ride-sharing, or riding public transit into an active financial district, professionals benefit from saving money in these areas and allocating dollars and time where they value it the most. In fact, three in four men report higher levels of improvement with their relationship with their children, compared to 67% of women.
Comfort and convenience
The preference of remote work comes with its freedoms of location. During the COVID-19 pandemic, countless employees adapted and uprooted their lives in the massive shift to remote work. Many can choose to work from the comfort of home or on the beach if it’s more convenient. With that said, 49% say that another top benefit of remote work is comfort and convenience.
The McKinsey survey highlights the ways in which hybrid is here to stay. It found that workers making over $150,000 a year prefer working from home and would rather take a 20% pay cut to continue that lifestyle.
If companies don’t recognize the demand for remote work perks, they will risk losing leadership and talent retention.
Burger King Employee Gets $400K In Donations After Receiving A Measly ‘Goodie Bag’ From Company
The Burger King employee who was given a “goodie bag” as an acknowledgment for his 27 years of service has been flooded with overwhelming support.
Over $400,000 in donations from kind-hearted people have poured in for Kevin Ford, Upworthy reports.
“It’s like a dream come true,” Ford said.
“It’s overwhelming, especially the support I’m receiving every day. It’s awesome.”
The dedicated cashier received a bag from the staffing firm, HMS Host, who hired him. Inside was a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, a reusable Starbucks cup, two pens and one movie ticket. Instead of being upset about the “gift,” Ford says he was grateful because that’s just who he is as a person.
When he shared a video of the bag on social media, people became upset about the lack of empathy Burger King showed Ford. His daughter, Seryna, stepped in and started a GoFundMe page to show her father how much he was appreciated and valued. “He originally began working at this job as a single father when he gained custody of me and my older sister 27 years ago,” she wrote.
To date, $402,560 has been raised, almost reaching its goal of $450,000. Seryna says her dad has never missed a day of work and is happy for the ongoing support. “My dad continues to work here because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age, and leaving would cost him his retirement,” the proud daughter said.
As his story circulated the internet, more support came in, receiving a $5,000 donation from comedian David Spade. Shortly after, he was able to reunite with his daughter and three grandchildren as a guest on NBC’s Today Show, according to Landon Buford.
The money raised is being used for a college fund for his grandchildren’s future. When the story initially went viral, Burger King tried to downplay the issue, saying the gift was a “peer-to-peer reward in recognition of a short-term positive performance/experience.”
Mompreneur Jean Noisette Helps Girls Dazzle With Event Planning Company
Jean Noisette, founder and CEO of Dazzle Me Parties, is passionate about helping young girls. Noisette has always felt helping children would be the most fulfilling. She initially had the idea to establish a mobile spa for children to provide a safe space and the opportunity to learn etiquette skills. Eventually, she was inspired to create her event planning company, Dazzle Me Parties.
Noisette’s event planning career started with children’s parties. However, after landing a gig with Hip-Hop mogul T.I. and his R&B star wife, Tiny Harris, Noisette began receiving more requests to plan adult events. She used her experience and skills from working with children to launch successful events for adults.
The name of Noisette’s event planning company was influenced by her desire to inspire children. She focused on creating a name that would embody the idea of making girls feel special. The mission of Dazzle Me Parties centers around “helping, catering, and mentoring—just creating experiences,” the business owner told Black Enterprise.
Noisette’s creative process
Noisette also shared details about her creative process with BE. By offering a wide variety of events catering to different ages and industries, Noisette ensures she is “always in [a] creative space.”
“What we’re doing now is learning to collaborate and just making sure everyone feels special on the team” and acknowledging everyone’s ideas. Afterward, she turns her attention to details like color palettes and themes.
Dazzle Me Dolls
Noisette oversees a mentorship program called Dazzle Me Dolls, which embodies the characteristics she encourages in young girls. “Once they’re [the participants] at an age where they can work … their role is huge, and I always make sure that they know that.”
Noisette promotes autonomy for the Dolls, and they play a major role in setting up events. For each event, if there are areas for improvement, “we go back, we learn, and we teach,” Noisette said of guiding the mentees. The learning experiences allow the girls to grow as individuals and possibly future business owners.
Noisette highlighted Dazzle Me Doll Cintia, a Spelman College graduate and former U.S. Marine. Cintia returned to the Dazzle family to help prepare young girls for college. “It’s not just working for a company; it’s a sisterhood. It’s family,” Noisette pointed out.
When selecting a Dazzle Me Doll, Noisette looks for young girls who are responsible, kind, and coachable.
Advice for aspiring business owners
Noisette offered advice for young girls and women aspiring to start a business: “Keep going, work hard, and stay consistent. The results aren’t going to come right now, but they will come.”
“You have to give it time, put in the work, and just watch it manifest,” she continued.
As an entrepreneur, Noisette said it is important to use setbacks and challenges as lessons. When doubts come amid setbacks, Noisette believes it’s important to remember the “why” behind starting a business and use that as passion to drive success.
She attributes being a mother to “90% of her push.”
“Being a mother, it always takes me back to my children and how I would want grace applied … to my children,” she shares. “You try to separate being a mother, but you just can’t in business.”
Noisette continues, “I don’t want to take away from business owners that are not mothers … it is special to me. It makes me so much more understanding. I’ve always had a soft spot and can kind of tell … when kids are in need, and they’re going through something.
“It’s OK to be firm, and it’s OK to be nice. As long as you’re consistent and it’s genuine … that’s fine.”
The mother and event planner has an extensive list of notable clients, such as Tammy and rapper Waka Flocka whom she organized a vow renewal ceremony. She also planned the wedding of Toya Johnson and Red Rushing.
Her client list also includes cast members from The Real Housewives of Atlanta franchise, NFL players, television networks such as BET and A-list singers such as Mariah Carey.
Noisette says weddings are the most memorable events. “The ones that allow us to not only cater to them but make sure that their guests have memorable experiences as well because … that’s what our company stands for.”
Tips for entrepreneurs
Noisette offers entrepreneurs three key tips to success and keeping clients happy: maintaining professionalism, organization, and having a strong team. “I just feel like you have to have the passion, and you have to love what you want to do because it is hard. It can be discouraging …, but that passion and that love you have for what you do is always going to kick in.”
Dazzle Me Parties will begin hosting classes focusing on navigating the event industry and self-care throughout the process.
Executive Coach Alena Conley Offers Radical Tips For Working Moms
Are you an overwhelmed and burnt-out working mama? All you can think about is household chores, performing well at the office, running your business, and making time for everyone and everything else.
Executive coach Alena Conley advises, “Get radically clear about what you prioritize in this season.”
Donning many stunning hats, Conley is a mother of four, a wife, a corporate professional, and a business owner. She has been and always will be active in her life. After receiving the reminder she needed to hear, Conley, founder of The Reminder Remedy, takes pride in not only reminding but guiding other high-achieving women toward leveraging the lives they want to live. Ultimately it’s all about creating harmony. But how?
Alena Conley, founder of The Reminder Remedy.
Conley believes that most women are aware of their self-worth and their values. And yet they’re fed up. The FAMU grad and positive psychology practitioner told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the results are on the other side of “undoing the beliefs” of what success looks like for you and “establishing what the true beliefs are and aligning with that.”
A few years back marked the first time in human history that five generations have worked together in the same workplace. “But we all value different things. And our work styles are all very different,” Conley explained.
Motherly’s State of Motherhood report on Black mothering in America indicates that younger Black moms are less likely to feel burnt out than their white counterparts when combining a career and motherhood. In fact, they are more likely to describe themselves as “optimistic” and “empowered.” Meanwhile, Black moms from the Gen X and older generations are 40% more likely than their white counterparts to choose the word “frustration” to describe balancing work and family.
For both ends of the spectrum, how do we keep our wellness in check?
Black mothers at war
“Black women don’t have time to worry about a glass ceiling. Black moms walk daily on glass floors without support, susceptible to stress cracks,” said Christine Michel Carter, an award-winning advocate for working mothers, according to Motherly.
Setting unrealistic expectations is a problem many working moms face. “We are unwilling to change our perspective on that,” Conley said. Black mothers are continuously at war with navigating a growing career and family while also minding their mental health, family savings and spending, sex and social lives, workforce barriers, and the childcare crisis.
Finding reliable and affordable childcare is not only a pain point for Black moms, but money presents as a pressure for 16% of younger Gen Z/millennial moms and dominates as the big relationship pressure among 69% of older Black moms. While Black moms are more likely to head the household, they are 20% less likely than their white counterparts to have a partner to share the load, according to the Motherly report.
For Conley, the hustle and bustle of work does not come before her family. She believes that a lack of attention to children hinders a their development and is ultimately detrimental to the community as a whole. “We are actually creating more trauma in our community by not being present for our kids,” Conley said. “We have to start building out these lifestyles that align with the type of mothers and individuals that we want to be.”
Nevertheless, Black moms report having less time to take care of themselves. Only 48% of them get at leastsix hours of sleep.
Redefine your story. Conley says it’s important to discover what is already inherently yours. She encourages us to start by learning more about our own family history. This will empower you to understand why you are pursuing the dreams or the life you want.
Engage in “innergy” management. Unlike time management, innergy management reminds us that we have a finite amount of time. “If I have a finite amount of time, rethinking about where do I really want to spend my time, who do I want to spend it with, and what do I want to spend doing” is essential, according to Conley.
Take a seasonal approach to life. A seasonal commitment is lower-stakes than a lifelong pursuit, but it is an opportunity to breathe new life into something you truly value and focus on it.
Create a morning/evening routine based on what you value. Conley recommends identifying the things that fill your cup and creating habits that bring you closer to alignment. For instance, Conley finds harmony in quality sleep, proper nutrition, meditation, movement, and classical music. What wellness practices elevate you?
Work with a coach. Undoing is sometimes hard to do alone. How do you choose a coach?“A coach is not supposed to tell you what to do. They are co-creating with you. And so you are the one who is supposed to come up with the solutions, and they’re supposed to guide you,” Conley says. She listens to several coach or therapist podcasts or recordings first, to see if their energy feels right, before selecting one for herself.
Do things in bursts of energy, then have a mindful recharge. Studies show that working in bursts can change your life. When regulated, you will be shocked by the amount of work you can get done in such a short time, and you might not even notice any distractions. Then allocate time for decompression.
Nashville Street Renamed After First Black Girl Scout Troop Leader
A street in Nashville will formally be renamed to highlight a notable member of the city’s Black community. Josephine Holloway, the first troop leader for Black Girl Scouts, will have her name forever remembered where she first made history.
Downtown Nashville’s Lifeway Plaza will be officially changed to Josephine Holloway Avenue. According to WKRN, the original request was submitted in September 2022 to the Metro Planning Commission. By that February, the Mayor of Nashville, John Cooper, signed off on its approval. Now, almost a year later, the transformation is becoming a reality.
Holloway, seeking a space for Black girls to be part of the outdoors organization, created a camp, which was given her surname. It became a part of the Girl Scouts of Middle Tennessee, which actively included Black girls who faced discrimination in joining other troops.
She was the founder and lead facilitator on the campgrounds, even cutting the grass to ensure the quality of the camp upon the scouts’ arrival.
The expansive camp has over 76 acres in Millersville, a town approximately 15 miles north of Nashville. The attendees were introduced to all the traditions and benefits of being a Girl Scout in a period when that opportunity was not always afforded to diverse groups.
Of her legacy, Girls Scouts CEO Agenia Clark shared that Holloway did not let the obstacles disrupt the girls’ potential experience.
“She said this isn’t a barrier; this is an opportunity, and she found that opportunity in the land that is now known as Camp Holloway,” she said.
After learning of her story 19 years ago, Clark helped the local troop present today honor Holloway’s importance to the background of Girl Scouts with a historical marker created in 2019.
Now, Holloway will have an additional show of appreciation through the street renaming. With her name now memorialized, those passing through downtown Nashville will witness it and potentially inquire further about her impact on the southern city.
Dwyane Wade Finally Responds To Paul Pierce’s Comments About Him
NBA players are used to hearing people downplaying their skills from time to time, some mostly ignore their detractors. Although Boston Celtic great Paul Pierce threw some shade at fellow NBA retiree and champion Dwyane Wade recently, Wade has never responded. Until now.
According to Sports Illustrated, Wade appeared on a recent episode of The Dan Le Batard Show podcast. While there, the former Miami Heat player stated that he is “living rent-free” in Pierce’s head.
It started when Pierce was talking to Harlem rappers Ma$e and Cam’Ron on their sports podcast:
“It Is What It Is.”
Pierce stated that if he had teammates such as LeBron James or Shaquille O’Neal, he would have won more championships as well.
“For a long time, my skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players,” Pierce said.
“And then I got to play with KG and Ray past they prime. OK, if four years earlier you put me, Ray and KG together, you think we ain’t walking away with three chips?”
“My skills went unappreciated because I didn’t get to play with a lot of great players.” – @paulpierce34
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) July 22, 2023
When the subject was brought up to Wade by Le Batad, the retired player stated, “I mean, listen, rent is expensive in America and I’m living rent-free right now so let him keep going. “I like living rent-free.”
He takes the high road once again and although doesn’t mention Pierce by name, it’s evident that it was a shot at the former Celtic player.
“This is why I love the media,” he said. “It’s documented. I don’t need to say anything. Everything is documented. So, I’ll let you guys go ahead and talk about all that stuff. It sounds better coming from y’all than me. I’m done playing the game of basketball. I’m not comparing myself to someone who’s not playing the game, or who is playing the game.”
“Rent is expensive in America and I’m living rent free.”
Dwyane Wade fires back at Paul Pierce’s comments about who had the better career 😳
Lizzo’s Ex-Dancers Double Down On Claims: ‘We Were Treated Poorly’
Lizzo’s former dancers accusing her of a hostile work environment in a new bombshell lawsuit are not backing down from their claims.
Crystal Williams, Arianna Davis, and Noelle Rodriguez threw Lizzo into the hot seat when they filed a lawsuit accusing the Grammy Award-winning singer of sexual harassment, among other things. Now one week after filing the suit, Lizzo’s former dancers are doubling down on the shocking accusations.
“We were treated poorly,” Williams tellsPeople. “Nobody did anything about it when we tried to speak up and advocate for ourselves. So now we’re doing it.”
“I know that my mind feels a lot clearer. There was a lot of anxiety and a lot of feelings of being overwhelmed once our suit was made public. But today, I feel very proud to be pursuing this with these ladies.”
One of the dancers accuses Lizzo of forcing them to touch a nude performer at an Amsterdam nightclub. NBC News reports that all three claim they were subjected to an “excruciating” audition after one team member called out alleged drinking on the job. Others say they were weight shamed and bullied after filming a meeting due to a health condition.
After the lawsuit’s filing on Aug. 1, Lizzo took to social media two days later to deny the “outrageous” accusations.
“My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized,” the “Juice” singer wrote in part.
“These sensationalized stories are coming from former employees who have already publicly admitted that they were told their behavior on tour was inappropriate and unprofessional.”
But the dancers say their claims are all true, and they only banded together after Williams and Davis were allegedly wrongfully terminated, and Rodgriguez quit to protest the firings. The dancers claim a member of management scolded them for “unacceptable and disrespectful behavior.”
“[Those accusations] only came after [the] dance cast, that was predominantly either Black women or women of color, started advocating for themselves and asking for better treatment and to be paid what we deserve on the job,” Williams says.
“And I really feel like that never applied to me because I voluntarily left on my own terms,” Rodriguez added. “I was so disgusted by the treatment that I saw.”
Since the lawsuit was filed, former Lizzo team members have come forward to support the claims, including the singer’s former creative director Quinn Whitney Wilson who revealed she still “grieves parts of my own experience” working for the “Truth Hurts” singer.
“All of Lizzo’s former employees that have also come forward — we’ve given them the confidence to stand up, and they’re giving us the confidence to continue the fight,” Rodriguez says.
“What our movement alone started, in my eyes … we’ve already won.”
