Black Journalists Gather At 2023 NABJ Convention To Discuss The Importance Of Black Press
The recent National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention in Birmingham, Alabama, drew some of the nation’s most prominent Black voices. The multi-day event included networking opportunities and panel discussions, where journalists shared the importance of the Black press, especially in today’s current political climate.
“The Black Press has an interesting battle now, though, because in media, as a whole, funding is down. And if funding is down for mainstream, then it’s really down for Black media,” comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. of The Daily Show told TheWashington Informer
Wood Jr. is the son of the late Roy Wood Sr., a journalism pioneer who hosted the series One Black Man’s Opinion on the National Black Network.
“Black media has this double-sided duty of uplifting and showing the things that have happened in the Black community that people don’t talk about, but also the Black press has a responsibility of showing the things within the Black community that the people don’t want to talk about,” Wood Jr. continued.
The convention was complete with several different events, including a live recording of TheGrio’s Dear Culture podcast on Aug. 3, where host Panama Jacksondelivered witty commentary alongside featured guests Michael Harriot and Wood Jr. The convention also held a Black Press Task Force meeting and panel discussion. Attendees discussed how the Black press can continue to evolve.
The following day, Chase sponsored a luncheon where Larry Lee, publisher of the Sacramento Observer, spoke about the difficulties Black business owners face.
“During COVID, more than 300 newspapers [went] out of business, and the challenges that entrepreneurs face are very real,” he said. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin explained to the Washington Informer about the necessity of the Black press as print media dwindles and tragedy continues.
“There’s so much negativity in media. It’s good to have Black publications—printed Black publications, online Black publications—that promote not just Black, but Black business; not just Black business, but Black families; not just Black families, but all positive things going on in the Black community,” he said.
Tech Workers Respond To UPS Workers Netting $170k Salaries In Union Deal
Tech workers have mixed feelings about UPS workers getting $170,000 in annual pay and benefits in their new contract with the Teamsters Union.
Business Insiderreports full-time UPS workers will see their salaries and benefits hit $170K per year by the end of their five-year contract with the Teamsters Union. The delivery service came to an agreement with its 340,000 drivers and package handlers in July, avoiding what would’ve been the largest strike in U.S. history.
While the deal has yet to be approved by union members, news of the deal has led to mixed reactions from the tech industry, with those in the sector quick to point out that the pay boost will make their salaries comparable to those working in the tech industry.
“This is disappointing, how is possible that a driver makes much more than the average Engineer in R&D?” a worker at the autonomous-trucking company TuSimple wrote on Blind, an anonymous job-posting site. “To get a base salary of $170k you know you need to work hard as an Engineer, this sucks.”
While it may seem like UPS workers have hit a new tax bracket, the $170,000 figure represents the total amount of the package and not the base salary UPS workers will receive. Currently, UPS workers average $95,000 a year with an additional $50,000 in benefits according to the company. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an engineer is $103,845.
Others on Blind used the new contract UPS workers received to indicate software workers are underpaid.
“The engineers that created that truck he drives are more important because the impact to society is higher, including providing a tool for work,” another user wrote on the site.
Other workers pointed to the fact that UPS workers work under difficult conditions and that their job is important to business.
“Stop behaving like an elitist!” an Amazon worker wrote on Blind. “Why do you [think] someone driving long haul should make less than an engineer? What they do is important work. How do you think the grocery stores get stocked or your favorite stores? It’s these long haul drivers risking their lives driving 12 hour days sometimes in harsh weather.”
According to UPS, it delivers an average of 24.3 million packages per day. Had the package service gone on strike, it would’ve caused a logistical nightmare for businesses nationwide that use UPS. In 1997, 185,000 UPS workers went on strike for 15 days, however, the Heritage Foundation reports it failed to produce significant gains for UPS employees.
The coronavirus pandemic led to a worker revolution in the U.S. as teachers, healthcare workers, airline pilots, actors, and writers have held work stoppages over the last two years for better pay, benefits, and an increase in the ability to work from home.
Georgia Couple Files Suit After their Baby Was Allegedly Decapitated During Delivery
A doctor in Georgia is being accused of turning a baby delivery into a gruesome experience.
In a lawsuit filed by the child’s mother and father, Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr., the couple claims the doctor used too much force during delivery and decapitated their baby, ABC News reports.
The suit lists Dr. Tracey St. Julian and Southern Regional Medical Center, where the incident took place. Ross and Taylor are suing for gross negligence, fraud, and intentional infliction of emotional distress while seeking unspecified punitive damages.
“They were so excited about the birth of their first child,” their attorney Cory Lynch said in a press conference. “Unfortunately, their dreams and hopes turned into a nightmare that was covered up by Southern Regional Medical Center.”
Allegedly, the baby got stuck during delivery and St. Julian delayed a surgical procedure to assist and failed to get immediate help. The suit claims she applied “ridiculously excessive force” on the baby’s head and neck to deliver it. Almost three hours later, St. Julian took the first-time mother in for a cesarean section but by then, a fetal monitor had stopped registering a heartbeat.
The cesarean section removed the baby’s legs and body, but the head was delivered vaginally, according to attorney Roderick Edmond. The couple initially asked for a c-section that they believe would have ultimately saved the baby’s life.
Southern Regional released a statement saying it can’t discuss the patient treatment due to privacy laws but sent “heartfelt thoughts and prayers,” according to the Associated Press.
The hospital later admitted that St. Julian was not an employee of the hospital and said it won’t elaborate if the board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist was part of a health care group called Premier Women’s Obgyn that has two locations.
Attorneys also accuse the hospital staff of trying to cover up the decapitation by discouraging the couple from getting an autopsy. They instead pushed for their child to be cremated, wrapping and propping his body to make it appear that the head was attached.
#QGTM: Get To Know Patreese Walker, The Mastermind Behind The Branding Bag
Black businesses have experienced significant growth in recent years, a direct result of community support and new initiatives. Patreese Walker, founder, and CEO of the Branding Bag (TBB), is helping elevate these businesses.
Established in 2020, the Branding Bag is an online-based business enterprise that allows small business owners to platform themselves and market their products. The company now operates across 32 states with over 7,500 members. However, while it has made a substantial difference for entrepreneurs through its platform, what really makes TBB stand out is its coaching academy.
The Branding Bag Academy offers resources and opportunities to budding entrepreneurs, including weekly meetings, one-on-one coaching sessions, and mentorship programs.
In an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Walker discussed the launch of TBB, how her experiences as a Black woman have informed her path and her words of wisdom for other business owners.
Walker started The Branding Bag Academy after realizing that the needs of aspiring entrepreneurs weren’t being met and that traditional marketing techniques weren’t garnering results.
“As a serial entrepreneur, I knew the importance of networking and marketing yourself outside of your own timeline. I joined so many business groups to do just that, only to be told I can only post on Wednesdays or Saturdays or that I need to pay to post. When you’re small and growing it’s not always in the budget to pay per post with the hopes that you get a client,” she says.
“I actually got kicked out of a few groups with no warnings because I unintentionally posted on a day that wasn’t approved to post. I got mad, said enough was enough, and created my own group.
“While observing the businesses that were posted, I would see certain posts that didn’t get any traction, or get some complaints on the backend from customers of things that could’ve been avoided,” she adds. “Thus, the Branding Bag Academy was born. I made it my mission to do my part in assisting these businesses, as affordable as possible or for free. I realized not everyone had a support system, mentors, or anyone to coach them into their next level as I did.”
(Image courtesy Of Patreese Walker)
As of June 2023, Walker is officially certified as a business coach. However, she had already built an extensive resume over five years, working with real estate agencies and brokers, restaurant and food truck owners, daycare owners, hair stylists, tax preparers, and others.
“I created my group three years ago and have been assisting them for years as well. I finally decided I needed to make this official and brand myself as such,” Walker says.
Walker’s journey as an entrepreneur has not always been easy.
“Ever since I can remember, I have loved people and have always been a people person. All throughout high school, I was the class clown, the lovable but smart kid. Senior year I skipped school a lot and hung out with the older crowds. The principal sat me down and told me I couldn’t graduate due to attendance. Imagine that exemplary student with passing grades and homecoming queen couldn’t graduate,” she says.
The conversation with her principal served as a wake-up call.
Immediately after the discussion, Walker pivoted toward attaining her G.E.D. Though she succeeded, just seven months later, she discovered that she was pregnant at just 18 years old. Freshly out of high school, Walker was unsure how to proceed but remained as determined as ever. It was then that she met somebody who offered a helping hand.
“He hired me in finance at an entry-level position, and against all odds (being Black, being a woman, being uneducated), I worked my way up to assistant store manager, then store manager six months after that, and general manager a year after that,” she says.
Though Walker does not name the man who helped her, she says his faith in her ability gave her opportunities beyond what she could have imagined.
“The most important part of this story and the game-changer for me was the guy who took a chance on me, became my work mentor, and guided me on those goals. That was when I knew the importance of finding a mentor and I wanted to be that person for others. I then began working with businesses on the backend, helping them structure their businesses and create processes for their businesses. I used the knowledge I had gained in working in a corporate setting and in a management role.”
Since its inception, The Branding Bag Academy has positively impacted the lives of thousands of Black business owners.
“Anyone that I work with must align with our vision, mission, and core values. I use those as my guide along with my spirit of discernment to make the final decision. By vetting each business, it gives the consumers peace of mind when shopping with these businesses, and a mediator if it doesn’t work out,” she says.
“I am a firm believer in allowing God to order my steps. I always get his approval first. I also tell everyone to figure out their why first. Most people get an idea, form an LLC, apply for an EIN, and then get stuck,” she says. “If you discover your why, then and only then, can you be confident in marketing yourself, maneuvering through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, and placing your roots firmly in this cold business world. Money can’t be your only motive because what is going to keep you going when the money is slow or nonexistent?”
The Branding Bag Academy has several different programs for entrepreneurs, ranging from $25-$65 per subscription. There are also free and unlimited resources exclusively in the TBB Facebook group, as well as free educational lives, Zoom training and webinars, and more.
Atlanta Hawks To Host Second Annual Job Fair In State Farm Arena
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena are doing their part to help members of the metro-Atlanta community get ahead, hosting their second annual “Interview Day” to help those looking for employment.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, multiple, ready-to-hire employers will participate in the event. Hundreds of part-time positions are available in a variety of industries, including security and entertainment. For many attendees, the interviews conducted at the arena could result in immediate employment.
The success of 2022’s inaugural job fair brought in more than 1,000 participants wanting to find opportunities with good pay and substantial benefits. That number is expected to grow for the follow-up event. It’s fitting that this year, the job fair is widening the market for candidates. The Aug. 13 event has positions for hire that not only start at $16 an hour but provide discounted medical services, paid training, and potential scholarships opportunities.
With job listings for the venue and other event spaces across Atlanta, including Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the Georgia World Congress Center, applicants have the chance to be a part of fueling the local entertainment industry. In recent years, Atlanta has grow into a major player in professional sports but in movies and television.
“We know the incredible value local talent brings to our organization, so our purpose in hosting Interview Day is to create opportunities for our community to join our team and become an integral part of our workforce,” said Camye Mackey, executive vice president and chief people, diversity, and inclusion officer for both the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena.
The event will last from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, August 13, in the State Farm Arena.
OJ Simpson Questions Former NFL Player Henry Ruggs’ 3 To 10 Year Sentence For DUI Killing
Former NFL player, Henry Ruggs has been sentenced to prison for three to 10 years Aug. 9 for killing a Las Vegas woman and her dog in November 2021 while driving dunk in his vehicle. Former NFL Hall of Fame player, OJ Simpson had some words after learning the prison term.
Simpson took to his Twitter account and lambasted the sentencing as he was given a more lengthy sentence by the same court and it pertained to a robbery where no lives were taken due to his act.
He captioned the post, “The math just does not add up.”
He goes on to say, “I know I went to college on a football scholarship but somehow this math is not adding up to me. You’re driving a car at roughly 160 miles an hour on a public street and end up killing a girl and her dog and you get three to ten years?
“You go to a hotel room that you’re invited to, to retrieve your own personal stolen property, property I now have because it was ruled to be mine by the state of California, and you get nine to 33 years?”
According to CBS Sports, Ruggs, a former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver pleaded guilty earlier this year in May to the felony charge of DUI resulting in death and a misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter. He was sentenced to prison in a Clark County District Court.
Ruggs was arrested after driving up to 156 miles per hour with a blood-alcohol content of 0.16 percent (twice the legal limit). This negligence resulted in the deaths of a 23-year-old woman, Tina Tintor and her dog. He was originally charged with DUI, reckless driving and possession of a firearm while under the influence. The Raiders released him after he was charged with the crime.
Great points are made by the controversial and legendary football player, but there may have been other “factors” considered when deciding his sentencing back then.
Educators Are Using TikTok To Teach ‘Hidden History’
TikTok is the latest learning tool to captivate audiences across the world, and educators are leading the trend.
By using the social media platform to promote facts rarely taught in schools, teachers and scholars alike are creating videos that shed light on unknown history, CNN reports.
TikTok has become a growing go-to source to gain information. A 2022 Study.com survey revealed that 25% of users utilize it to “enrich their education.”
A popular account, the “Gen Z Historian,” is doing exactly as the username suggests. The influencer, whose real name is Kahlil Greene, is educating the youthful masses on historical moments.
After first gaining traction for his video explaining the whitewashing of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, he’s curated his content to focus on other topics students may not be exposed to in the classroom. Calling it “Hidden History,” Greene is garnering tens of thousands of followers in the process of “filling in the gaps” left in the education system.
Especially as Critical Race Theory has been under fire by more conservative politicians and the states they represent, students being able to access resources that promote the truth about certain topics is as necessary as ever.
“For me, it’s about sharing this information to empower, to educate and most importantly, to strategize how we can create equitable systems starting at the grassroots level,” said teacher turned educational content creator, Ernest Crim III.
Crim’s content is focused on highlighting the achievement of diverse trailblazers, broadening the knowledge of his audience to “untrain” their biases about certain groups.
However, the mission for fair academic influencers is facing more obstacles as the spread of misinformation is also popular on the app. However, these influencers encourage viewers to be actively engaged in the content they consume.
Passive viewership, according to Greene, allows misinformation to become more popular. Thinking critically about “facts” that may or may not be true is an essential first step to combat ignorance.
Follow The Evolution Of Diversity, Equity And Inclusion In The Workplace
It has been roughly three years since corporate America made a flurry of commitments to address systemic racism. But driving diversity, equity, and inclusion change goes far beyond launching initiatives. Demographics continue to morph around us, as do organizational cultures, business needs, and talent. It’s been a true evolution.
The public is witnessing the undoing of affirmative action in college and university admissions, and in today’s fast-paced, complex business environment, artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to support DEI agendas.
DEI leaders are facing extreme fatigue and burnout. Hollywood DEI executives have stepped down, and the numbers are expected to increase in other industries. More recently, all DEI initiatives were reportedly eliminated from Walt Disney World’s governing district, now led by appointees of Gov. Ron DeSantis. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District followed suit by dropping its entire DEI committee and any jobs associated with the group.
Global management consulting firm McKinsey & Co. found that companies spent $7.5 billion on DEI-related programs in 2020. That spending power is projected to more than double to $15.4 billion by 2026.
Geraldine White, Chief Diversity Officer of Publicis Groupe US / Photo Credit: Publicis Groupe
Chief Diversity Officer at Publicis Groupe US Geraldine White leads the organization’s DE&I efforts across its largest market. She poses three critical questions: Beyond bringing diverse talent to our industries, what are we doing to support them at our organizations? How are we building more inclusive experiences that enable talent to stay? How are we monitoring career progression and the accountability required to ensure success?
She told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the French-based advertising holding company launched initiatives to amplify support for Black talent, including but not limited to the Black Talent Summit and Black Talent Career Development program and curriculum, in which each participant receives career coaching, dedicated community cohorts and connection, and ongoing support by career level.
“There is no predetermined solution to every set of circumstances. DEI work is marked by nuance and requires an appreciation for complexity and for charting new paths amid challenges and an ever-evolving landscape.” White told BE.
“We continue to stay focused on serving the varied experiences of talent across all communities, identities, and facets of intersectionality while not losing sight of making an impact for Black talent as the most under-represented in our industry. We are constantly digging deeper into the issues that matter most to talent today—which looks different for every person within our organization—but with common themes across areas, such as how we collectively build and navigate the future of work, addressing mental health and well-being with a lens toward identity, and beyond.”
Regina Lawless, former Instagram DEI executive & founder of Bossy & Blissful / Image Source: Charles Schoenberger Photography
Regina Lawless, author, leadership coach, and former head of DEI at Instagram, transitioned into entrepreneurship after her husband died. She told BE that she experienced firsthand while climbing the corporate leader that Black women “face incredible barriers to advance and maintain our success and often have to contend with bias, isolation, glass-cliff assignments, and higher rates of burnout than other groups.”
So she founded Bossy & Blissful to help high-achieving, high-earning Black women find purpose beyond their paycheck to find intentional, sustainable success at work and home.
“Black women should continue to take their careers into their own hands and be strategic about their networks and intentional about which experiences will set them up for advancement—and above all else, take care of themselves and make sure to have some fun along the way,” Lawless advised.
Given the constant highs, lows, and constant changes, let’s look at the evolution of DEI.
Evolution of Diversity in the Workplace
1960s-1970s
Workplace diversity calls to action, such as the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, took place during one of the most tumultuous and divisive decades in history. As a result, large US-based companies began to engage in conversations about diversity. The country’s first minority employee resource group (ERG) was formed at Xerox in 1970. The National Black Employees Caucus (now the National Black Employees Association) was founded to address discrimination issues and create a fair corporate environment.
1980s-1990s
As a wave of Gen Xers entered the workforce, efforts in diversity hiring began for many Fortune 500 companies, but with a strong focus on compliance. Companies meet many industry and government requirements for diversity in the second stage of DEI maturity (compliance). And some may never surpass the next three stages: Tactical, Integrated, and Sustainable. Research and studies on inclusion became a part of the conversation highlighting demographic factors that would impact the U.S. labor market.
2000s to 2020
Inclusion became a focus for many organizations employing promotion and development opportunities such as diverse leadership and boards of directors. Gen Y, known as the digital natives, enter the workforce expecting meaningful work. Emerging research findings showcase the real effects of unconscious bias on inclusion in the workplace. Grassroots initiatives birth an increase of ERG groups at approximately 90% of Fortune 500 companies.
In 2020, George Floyd’s death was the boiling point in America’s long-storied history of racial injustice. As a result of worldwide protests and demonstrations over the Summer of 2020, corporations, in particular, shifted their focus on fully addressing racial disparities and inequities within and outside corporate America.
“Diversity & Inclusion” is joined by equity, arising from movements to close racial and gender gaps in employee pay and advancement. This considerable momentum focused on gender parity and hiring neurodiverse talent, while limited resources were poured into individuals with disabilities and people of color.
What happens now?
These days, DEI isn’t a priority for everyone. But the DEI field in the workplace will continue to evolve despite the lows.
“I think, sadly, we will see a rollback of opportunities or investment in DEI initiatives in certain sectors. However, I anticipate other companies who’ve already done the work and recognize the value of DEI will find creative ways to continue their programs and equity-focused policies,” Lawless said.
She continued: “Creating more fairness in the tools [and] systems that managers use to evaluate, promote and pay employees, and increasing sponsorship of Black talent is necessary to advance Black professionals at parity. “
According to White, though metrics are critical, “representation isn’t achievable or sustainable without also focusing on retention.” She added: “While there’s no one size fits all approach, we know there is a distinct, data-backed correlation between diversity and organizational performance, and when we put programs in place that enable our talent to show up authentically in the workplace — they can also show up authentically in the ways they deliver for our clients and partners, resulting more culturally relevant and impactful work.”
Former All-Star Gilbert Arenas Rips Team USA Roster For FIBA World Cup After Excluding Trae Young
Three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas thinks Team USA’s roster for the FIBA World Cup is lacking, calling the team a “sorry-ass group” to Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young on his podcast.
CBS Sports reports Arenas commented on his Gil’s Arena podcast to Young, who was left off the team. Team USA will play in the FIBA World Cup, an Olympic qualifier that begins Aug. 25. Team USA will play its first game against Greece on Monday, Aug. 28.
“You see that list they got, sorry-ass group,” Arenas said.
“I’m sorry. I’m happy for the people who make it; it’s cool for some of the guys who got there; some of them probably don’t even start on their teams. I don’t know. I don’t want to look at it. Because it’s embarrassing sometimes when you have star players who do want to participate, and you just automatically say, ‘Yeah, he’s not gonna fit our style.’ How the f— you know if he’s gonna fit the style? You didn’t give the man a chance.”
It’s unclear if Young was asked to be on the team, although he did express his desire to play for Team USA in the 2024 Olympics, which will take place in Paris.
“I definitely want to; I’ve talked about playing for [Team] USA a couple times,” Young said. “I definitely want to. It’s up to them if they want me to. I would love to play with guys, show off my passing even more and not have to go out and score a lot, and just be there if they need me to. I’d be happy to, but I respect the OG’s and understand you gotta take your turn, but I believe I should be on there.”
Young may have been passed over for Team USA in favor of New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton. Young, a two-time All-Star, averaged 26.2 points per game and 10.3 assists for the Hawks, who made the NBA playoffs but lost in the first round to the Boston Celtics in six games.
Rihanna And Son Rza Star In Savage X Fenty Maternity Shoot
Rihanna‘s latest photoshoot shows that she’s bringing the family into her successful business empire. Her pictures featured a special guest star, her and A$AP Rocky‘s son, Rza.
The mother and son duo were featured in Savage X Fenty’s new maternity campaign. The capsule collection was designed by the “Bad Gal RiRi” herself, as reported by Complex.
The line includes three different bralettes, including a “Savage Not Sorry Lace,” a floral design, and a Savage X Cotton style. In addition to the undergarments, a oversized T-shirt with a logo of phrase “Make More Babies” is also available for purchase. The prices for the pieces range from $35 to $60.
To keep the needs of all moms at the forefront, the bralettes also come with one-hand functionality alongside a nursing sling and claps, providing accessibility and ease for breastfeeding. The back closure has an additional fourth row that can also be adjusted as one’s pregnancy evolves. Of course, inclusivity in sizing is the norm at the lingerie brand, with sizes from XXS to 4X.
Rihanna revealed her vision behind the collection toVogue: “The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys,” says Rihanna.
“I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent.”
The maternity line comes at a perfect time, as Rihanna is expecting her second child with A$AP Rocky, which she revealed during her Emmy-nominated Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in February. Although the singer-turned-entrepreneur has since stepped down as CEO of Savage X Fenty, her role as the face of the company remains strong.
