Jet-setting To Europe In 2024? U.S. Travelers Will Need A Visa To Visit
If you’re a U.S. citizen planning to visit Europe in 2024, you will need something extra. United States citizens with passports will now have to fill out an online visa application to gain entry into the European Union, or EU.
The EU is drawing up plans for new travel document requirements through its European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), CBS News reported. As travel enthusiasts panic, experts explain that the requirements aren’t difficult or permanent yet. “It won’t be complicated, it’s just an annoyance,” CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg said.
“Most Americans, in fact all Americans, are not used to doing this to go to Europe, so there’s going to be lots of surprises at boarding gates with people being denied boarding over the first couple of weeks if this goes into effect.”
The new rollout is set for January 2024; however, it has been delayed numerous times. ETIAS is proposing the cost of the online application will be $8 per traveler and will ask for simple information, travel plans, history, and other security questions. Greenberg pointed out that this new process could be implemented for European citizens traveling to the U.S. “Because if they institute it, there is nothing to stop the Americans from instituting a visa charge for them to come into the United States,” Greenberg expressed. “It doesn’t prove anything other than more paperwork and more revenue that goes nowhere.”
According to Conde Nast Traveler, ETIAS’ goal is to tighten up security measures and to digitally screen and track travelers entering and leaving EU countries. The approval process could take up to 96 hours. Once approved, travelers will be allowed multiple entries for three years or until the their passport expires. Visa authorization will be required to travel to all ETIAS member countries including Spain, France, Italy, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland. Countries such as Bulgaria and Cyprus and microstates Andorra and Monaco may be included in the future.
BJ Pearson, VP Of Block Restaurant & Garden Theater, Is Charting A New Path In Detroit’s Hospitality Industry
Some people have the formula for success, and BJ Pearson is one of them.
According to the Michigan Chronicle, the vice president of operations for the Garden Theater & Block Restaurant is reinvigorating the hospitality industry in Detroit and helping the Block Restaurant thrive under his leadership.
Due to his dedication to the city of Detroit, Pearson has helped businesses grow and assisted people to gain employment and opportunities in the community.
“As vice president of the Block Restaurant & Garden Theater, and with a focus on benefiting the city of Detroit as a whole, my overall goals revolve around creating a thriving event venue and a successful restaurant contributing to the local economy and fostering community engagement. In my role, I strive to establish the Block Restaurant & Garden Theater as a premier destination known for its exceptional service, versatility, and unique ambiance,” Pearson told the Chronicle. “By providing top-notch event planning and execution and customer services, I aim to attract a wide range of clients, including corporate events, weddings, conferences, and community gatherings.”
He said he works closely with his team to ensure his success and promotes the area among residents and visitors so everyone wins with the experience. That helps every business associated with the scope of this destination, “including hotels, catering services, transportation providers, and more.”
“Representation matters,” he said. “Seeing individuals from marginalized communities in positions of leadership can be empowering and inspiring for others who identify with those communities. It sends a message that success and achievement are attainable regardless of one’s background. As a Black man in a leadership role, you become a role model, giving hope to aspiring individuals and reinforcing the idea that they too can achieve their goals.”
His mindset and business acumen have made his leadership effectiv. The area continues to grow, giving the Motor City greater hope for the future.
Carlee Russell’s Boyfriend Asks Internet To ‘Stop Bullying Her’ Amid Suspicious Abduction Claim
Carlee Russell’s boyfriend might’ve wiped every trace of her from his Instagram page. But, he’s still defending her amid growing suspicions about her abduction claims.
Thomar Latrell Simmons broke his silence on Saturday, July 22, to seemingly acknowledge all the gaps in Russell’s abduction story while asking for more empathy from the public.
“The only thing I can say is, I want everyone to stop bullying her. I know what it seems like what she did. Just stop bullying on social media,” Simmons toldThe New York Post.
“Think about her mental health. She doesn’t deserve that. She doesn’t. Nobody deserves to be cyberbullied.”
Russell has been under fire since her return home 49 hours after leading Alabama police to believe she was abducted after stopping on the highway to follow a child she claimed to see walking on the side of the road. The 25-year-old nursing student told police she was held captive during her time missing, but police say her account of what happened is not lining up and she has refused additional interviews.
Along with the gaps in her story, police unearthed Russell’s Google searches leading up to the alleged abduction which included questioning if amber alerts were free, and the movie “Taken.” Social media hasn’t wrapped their minds around details of Russell’s story including why she left her wig inside her car but took the snacks from Target she purchased before the alleged kidnapping.
While Thomas initially asked for support in locating Russell during the alleged abduction, once she returned home and confused police with her suspicious claims, many noticed how her boyfriend removed all photos with her from his social media, the Daily Beastreports.
Considering the thousands of unsolved and overlooked missing person cases involving Black women, advocates believe Russell’s unverified claims threaten to overshadow the movement, as noted by CNN.
“For our community, we can’t lose sight of the bigger picture,” Derrica Wilson, co-founder of Black & Missing Foundation said.
“We are disappointed that there are inconsistencies with her (Russell) story especially when there are a staggering number of people of color who are still missing and they need our help.”
7 Actions Black People Can Take To Help Cut Rent Costs As Rates Increase
When it comes to housing, Providence, RI, offers the lowest-cost rent for Black Americans.
The finding is tied to this new report by Real Estate Witch. It is based on rent-to-income (RTI) ratios in the 50 largest U.S. metropolitan areas as of 2021. The ratio is the percentage of gross monthly income a tenant needs to pay rent. It is recommended that the RTI does not exceed 30% or less of gross monthly income.
The average Providence resident spends $1,066 a month on rent, which is 20.5% of their gross monthly income. Providence is followed, respectively, by San Antonio, Texas; Hartford, Connecticut; Indianapolis; and Atlanta as the five most affordable rent cities for Blacks (see chart below).
Jaime Seale, the report’s writer, shared Black Americans are spending more of their monthly income on rent primarily because they tend to earn lower annual salaries than the overall population In Miami, for example, she says the median annual income for all Americans is $62,870 versus $50,897 for Blacks.
She explained the housing shortage over the past decade has caused demand for homes to exceed supply, boosting home prices rapidly.
“High prices combined with rising mortgage rates have priced many would-be buyers out of the market. That means many more Americans are renting and renting for longer periods of time. That increases demand for rental units and causes those prices to rise as well.”
For U.S renters all told, Cincinnati is the most affordable city, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.5%. In contrast, Miami has the highest RTI at 28.5%.
Overall, the report shows the median U.S. rent price has risen from $378 to $1,163 a month since 1985. It surmised if rent grew at the same rate as inflation during this time frame, the median U.S. rent would cost just $939 a month instead of $1,163—about 19% less, as of 2021.
Here are some tips Seale offered to help make rent more affordable:
Negotiate with the landlord when it’s time to renew the lease as the landlord wants to keep good renters, giving tenants possible leverage. Research similar properties and offer a fair price.
Sign a longer lease. Landlords don’t want frequent vacancies, possibly making them more likely to lower the price if renters sign for 1.5 years or 2 years.
If you decide to move, wait until the fall or winter when demand is lower than summer. Landlords might be more willing to bargain during the fall and winter when vacancies are higher.
Refer friends. Some apartment complexes will offer a cash bonus or a rent discount for current renters who bring in new tenants.
Relocate. Living downtown or in a highly desirable area will likely be more expensive. Renters can still find nice apartments in safe neighborhoods that are a little farther away.
Downgrade to a smaller unit, which is generally cheaper due to less square footage.
Find a roommate to split the rent and utility costs.
The cities that are most affordable for Blacks is where income is high and rent is low, meaning those individuals spend a smaller portion of their monthly income on rent. Those cities are:
California Foster Youth Can Now Attend In-State College For Free
A new legislation called SB 307, which will allow foster youth in the state to attend college for free, was signed into the California state budget on July 10, 2023
The legislation, an expansion of the Fostering Futures’ Middle-Class Scholarship program, guarantees foster youth access to grants that will pay for food, books, and campus housing.
As reported by KTLA, “Officials say the program serves to both increase the likelihood that foster youth can reach their educational goals and also better prepare them to enter the next stage of their lives, whether that involves pursuing an advanced degree or entering directly into their chosen career path, by providing the opportunity to begin their next chapter debt-free from higher education.”
While most foster youth want to attend college — 93% in California expressed that desire — a meager 4% will attend and graduate with a degree due to the general cost of living, which is more difficult for them to afford.
The colleges included in the new legislation are the University of California, California State University, and California community colleges. The in-state tuition for that set of schools is around $15,000, while out-of-state students pay close to $45,000.
According to the Children’s Law Center of California (CLC), more than 60,000 children are in foster care in California at any given time. Research shows that due to the difficulties and uncertainties of placements within the care system, it’s harder for them to consistently attend school and maintain an effective educational track as they approach college age.
For example, while the average California high school graduation rate is 83%; high school students in foster care graduate on time just over 50% of the time.
This is due to the distinctive challenges they face in the system. The CLC stated, “Youth in foster care are more likely to be chronically absent (miss 10% or more days of school) than other underserved youth due to home placement changes, school transfers, court hearings, and parental visitation.”
The new legislation is heartening for students in foster care who seek not only a college education but also the stability and opportunities it can provide as they approach young adulthood.
Vanessa Simmons Is Taking Self-Care To A Whole New Level With Wellness Brand, ‘U4IA’
Vanessa Simmons has steadily built a growing platform outside her famous family’s name. Since our 2005 introduction to the oldest daughter of hip-hop pioneer Rev. Run on MTV’s hit show Run’s House, Simmons has transitioned from reality starlet to mom, actress, entrepreneur, and creative director. The ever-changing landscape following the 2020 pandemic redefined the notion of self-care for the former Project Runway judge, prompting her to take a deep dive into the wellness space. Her findings inspired the birth of U4IA, a health hub dedicated to helping others establish an inside-out revolutionary approach to their mind-body- soul interconnectedness.
Ahead of International Self-Care Day, BLACK ENTERPRISE sat down with Simmons to talk about the inspiration behind her latest business endeavor, the importance of showing up for one’s community, and how growing up in an affluent family has never stopped her grind, hustle, and motivation to succeed on her terms.
BLACK ENTERPRISE: What was the driving force behind starting your health and wellness brand, U4IA?
Vanessa Simmons: U4IA started from my love of self-care. People have one image of self-care, and it’s more than massages, facials and getting your nails done. That plays a part in it. But the biggest part of self-care is how you’re taking care of yourself, talking to yourself, and caring for your body. I wanted to educate people and play off the notion that you don’t have to break the bank to live your best life. We wanted to start a health and wellness brand that gives everyone, especially people of color, the necessary access to optimize their health from the inside out. U4IA is a hub spot of information and interviews with a council of healthcare professionals, skincare enthusiasts, and all things health on how you can go on a euphoric health journey. In 2020 we saw that more than ever, health is the highest currency of wealth, and I wanted to expand on that.
Absolutely, because we couldn’t go into the spas, and we were at home, seeing all of the health scares. That’s when I went into a deep dive into the wellness world. There are a lot of platforms out there, but sometimes people of color get left out of that narrative. I wanted to create a space that felt accessible for everybody and to show people realistic things they can do, whether it’s showing people how to utilize deep breathing to help your nervous system, deep breathing to revitalize your body, the benefits of having fruit on your stomach first thing in the morning, or putting eucalyptus in your bathroom. It’s about so much more than an aesthetic. I want our people to have the knowledge to thrive. I hope that people find the information we share helpful and know that we will continue sharing it until I see it impacting my community.
You’ve come from a reality television world but have also stepped into modeling, acting, and being a businesswoman. What advice can you share for other women who want to make a pivot in their careers?
It’s never too late. Everyone always feels there’s a certain deadline for goals and dreams, and there’s not. It’s putting one foot before the other, stepping out, and overcoming your fear.
Journaling plays a huge part in keeping me organized: putting the vision on paper, and making it plain. Once you see it there, you can actualize and manifest it. If it’s something that will bring you joy and happiness, go for it, and don’t worry about any other factors. Showing up for yourself is half of the battle.
We were introduced to you in 2005 with MTV’s Run’s House. It seems there was a lot of pressure on your shoulders to create a name for yourself outside your family. What would you tell your younger self then?
To not overthink it and to take it one day at a time. Back then, I lived in the future a lot. If you live in the past it will give you anxiety. You live in the future and then you’re not truly in the present, and you can’t give yourself to it. That’s something I learned as a mother: to be patient and to be in the present, because this is the time we have. We’re not in the future yet, so make the best of your time right now and enjoy it.
I missed out on celebrating little things and small wins because I was worried about the bigger picture when those are all a part of your story. To other young people looking to make an impact in their various fields, stay present, stay thankful, stay grounded, and keep on moving.
Rev. Run and family visit MTV’s TRL at MTV Studios in New York City in July 2008. (Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
I read that you went back to Pastry, the footwear line you started with your sister [Angela Simmons], in 2020, and you experienced racism and sexism and ultimately decided to leave.
I am going to leave that alone. We are all about looking toward the future. I’m very excited to be building U4IA and offering people something fresh and new in the wellness space. Maybe we’ll get back to doing sneakers and fitness wear, but I want to look forward in a positive direction. Pastry was an amazing starting point as an entrepreneur for me and my sister. I learned so much, and it was a huge blessing. It was an incredible journey that me and my sister shared, and we did some impactful stuff, and I’m very proud of it.
Lastly, how is legacy defined for you, and what would you like yours to be?
When it’s all said and done, I would like my legacy to be someone who inspired people to be the best possible version of themself. It doesn’t go over my head that I’ve come from a very privileged background. I’m very lucky and have been very blessed. I always want to be a source of inspiration, inspiring and encouraging people to be the best possible version of themself in any field they’re in, and with every project I take, I’m hoping that it reads that message.
Xavier University Empowers Young Black Men During Its Magnificent Male Weekend
Xavier University opened its doors to students nationwide for a special weekend dedicated to Black men.
For Magnificent Male Weekend, the New Orleans HBCU recently welcomed 100 Black male high school students, out of nearly 500 applicants, to empower them and assist them in reaching their full potential, WDSU reports.
The weekend consisted of mentorship, networking opportunities, and workshops.
“This program allows the university to walk alongside these young men and their parents from their sophomore, junior, and senior years in high school to get them ready for not only coming to Xavier but going to any college,” said Curtis Wright, Xavier’s vice president of student affairs.
“There is some data point that’s like one in three African American men will find themselves interacting with the criminal justice system,” Wright continued. “We want to disrupt that school-to-prison pipeline.”
The participating students now have a few requirements to meet after the encouraging weekend. They must complete virtual sessions from September through May. However, those who do complete the sessions will get two amazing boosts: automatic admission to Xavier as well as a $5,000 scholarship.
Students like 17-year-old Kavon Strong from Washington, D.C., said he really enjoyed the program, and it seemed like the message of preparing for a better future today hit the mark. “You can do anything you want to do in life,” Strong said. “Just be great at it.”
The New Orleans-based school is doing some amazing things as it prepares for the incoming class of 2027.
Four of its students recently took first place in the Department of Homeland Security’s Invent2Prevent competition, a contest for students to develop innovative strategies to prevent targeted violence and terrorism in local communities, according to OSV News. The Still We R.O.S.E. effort will work to educate people in New Orleans on the Black and Jewish history as Xavier is the only historically Black Catholic university.
Samuel L. Jackson Wants To Know Why Billionaires Don’t ‘Pay Their Taxes’
Samuel L. Jacksonpays his fair share of taxes and wants to know why the wealthy elite don’t have to do the same.
The honorary Oscar winner dropped a few F-bombs in an expletive-filled rant against billionaires who don’t have to pay as much taxes as us common folk. In a deep-dive with Vulture, released on Thursday, July 20, Jackson went off after sharing his beginnings as an activist and explaining why Donald Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” makes his “blood boil.”
“I’m 74. I don’t know how much longer I’m going to be around here raising hell or doing what I’m doing. But people need to start understanding that the economic gap is crazy,” Jackson said.
“I pay an enormous amount of taxes, and it’s fine because I know I should. But why can’t we get billionaires to pay their fu*king taxes?” he continued
“If those motherfu*kers paid their taxes we’d solve a whole bunch of sh*t. And they would still be richer than every motherfu*ker walking around them.”
The Django Unchained star was recalling his early days of activism at Morehouse College, where he was expelled after holding board members in a room due to their refusal to meet with protestors.
“I got kicked out of school and I came to LA! Yeah. I had some trouble with some civil rights stuff in Atlanta, so I had to get out of town,” Jackson shared.
Having been front and center in the fight for civil rights in the ’60s and ’70s, Jackson witnessed real injustice at the hands of the government and an oppressive system. While he did serve as an usher at Dr. Martin Luther King’s funeral, Jackson knew he didn’t want to be a part of a “nonviolent protestor.”
“So that was the beginning, basically, of my activism,” he explained.
“Being a certain age and looking at the world and identifying it for what it is and what it becomes, which is why as soon as I hear ‘Make America Great Again,’ I go, ‘When are we talking about again? Are we talking about back when we had apartheid?'”
Samuel L. Jackson has been making his voice heard for a long time and he’s not going to stop now.
Texas A&M President Resigns After Failing To Hire Black Scholar To Lead The Journalism Department
Texas A&M has been feeling the heat since announcing its plans to revive its journalism department through the hiring of former New York Times editor and veteran journalist Dr. Kathleen McElroy. Now, the university’s president, Katherine Banks, has resigned due to her involvement in the failed hiring.
On June 13, Texas A&M made a formal announcement introducing McElroy to faculty and students as the newest director of their then-defunct journalism department. “A veteran journalist with more than 40 years of experience has been hired to direct Texas A&M University’s new journalism program”, the statement read.
The department as well as the degree were shut down over two decades ago, and McElroy’s hiring seemed to signal a bright new future for interested scholars. “There is so much trust in A&M and the Aggie core values, and we want to position the planned new journalism degrees and program as an integral part of the Aggie brand,” McElroy said at the time.
However, the news soon turned sour as details of McElroy’s contract were changed due to her being a Black woman as well as her focus “on race and its intersection with journalism in her Ph.D. program at UT Austin.”
According to Insight Higher Ed, José Luis Bermúdez, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, informed McElroy that her hiring had made “noise in the [university] system”. He went on to say “You’re a Black woman who worked at The New York Times,” which McElroy said prefaced the university’s decision to change its tenured position offer to a one-year, at-will contract; the latter of which she declined.
Both Bermudez and Banks issued separate statements announcing their respective resignations. “The recent challenges regarding Dr. [Kathleen] McElroy have made it clear to me that I must retire immediately,” Banks said in a letter to the faculty. “The negative press is a distraction from the wonderful work being done here.” Bermudez echoed her sentiments in a letter of his own saying, “I feel in the light of controversy surrounding recent communications with Dr. Kathleen McElroy that this is the best thing that I can do to preserve the great things that we have achieved over the last year in creating the College of Arts and Sciences at Texas A&M.”
Black Students At Remote College Get Hair Care Vending Machine
In the spirit of Clark Atlanta University’s widely known motto “find a way or make one,” Rahya Kelley, a student at Olivet College, has found one—a vending machine—to bring hair care products to her remote campus.
With Blacks making up a nearly one-fifth of its student body, NBC News reported that Kelley wanted to provide an outlet for the students whose hair she services to get the essentials they need for their upkeep.
In a partnership with Beauty Genie, a recently established vending machine company for atypical products like edge control gel and bonnets, Kelly worked with students in the Hiram Archer Student Success Academy to get the vending machine to the Michigan-based school.
The vending machines will be available on campus in August, with Olivet College being the inaugural school in its rotation. Black hair care products will no longer have to be found at students’ hometowns or the closest Walmart that is beyond walking distance.
Even so, the stores available within driving range from the school often do not carry needed hair care items. In fact, according to the one of the founders at Beauty Genie, many products sold around the area do not benefit Black hair, potentially causing breakage.
Not only will the Beauty Genie vending machine be fully stocked with all the must-haves, it will carry many Black-owned hair products, including Mielle Organics. The popular brand will have kits of must-have products for hair texture available for purchase.
Their business extends beyond selling products. On their machines, videos from hair care professionals will provide tips and tricks.
“Some students may have not even experienced or even know certain things like possibly how often to get their ends clipped,” shared Beauty Genie managing partner, Swanzetta Lewis. “And so, if we can provide tutorials for those kids to take back and know that, it’s also educational for them as well.”
To expand upon their partnership with colleges, an ambassador program is in development to involve students in the business aspects of restocking and marketing for the company. Beauty Genie hopes to extend their services and connection to more schools beyond the region.
