NC Woman Graduates From Nursing Program Mother Created
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 18, 2023

NC Woman Graduates From Nursing Program Mother Created

A diploma hidden within a car trunk led to the remarkable discovery of a shared graduation date between a North Carolina mother and daughter, as the latter received her degree from the very nursing program the former helped establish at St. Andrews University.

In a story by local news outlet WRAL, Dr. Dorothy Miller gave birth to daughter, Shaquita Brandy, as a teenager. However, her young motherhood was motivation to pursue her education goals, going on to obtain not only a bachelor’s of science in nursing, but also continuing in her studies all the way to a doctoral degree.

Dr. Miller’s accomplishments led to her pioneering a nursing program at the North Carolina school. This past May, her daughter became the first graduate of the very legacy she built.

The strong mother came from a rural upbringing in Pinetops, NC, where, although resources were scarce, Miller was always encouraged by her mother not to let her upbringing determine her future. When Miller got pregnant at age 15, her mother continued supporting her as she pursued these aspirations.

“Her goal for me was to not stop school,” she said of her daughter’s grandmother. “I had my child on a Friday, and my mother made sure I was in school that next Monday.”

Even after pursuing a career in the military, Miller was aware of how education changed the trajectory of her life, and sought to empower other aspiring nursing students by creating that academic path at St. Andrews.

Today, Miller is the department chair of health sciences at the university, and utilizing her multiple degrees in a bid for her home state’s Board of Nursing. Remembering her roots, she hopes to address the disparities regarding health care in rural towns like the one she grew up in, as well as keep quality nurses within these areas.

Being a living testimony to Black mothers’ strength and determination, no matter the age at which they start, is what drives Miller to accomplish any goal,

“What some people saw as a mistake, having a child so young, to me was a catalyst. I think that if I hadn’t been given the opportunity to have that child, I wouldn’t have accomplished what I did. By having her, it pushed me to do something outside of me so that I could have a better future for her.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Mom, Daughter from Detroit Graduate Nursing College Together

 

discrimination, obesity
by Stacy Jackson

July 18, 2023

Has Racial Discrimination Put Black Children At Greater Risk For Obesity?

Childhood obesity disproportionately affects children of racial and ethnic minority backgrounds.

This public health issue has been shown to likely have a connection to racial discrimination. A study published in JAMA Network Open revealed that experiences with racial discrimination for youth may increase their risk of developing obesity.

In the United States, one in five children is affected by childhood obesity. Children from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds, especially Black and Hispanic youth, are substantially at risk for obesity. The disproportionate effects are likely the result of limited access to healthy foods, poverty, or living with one parent, according to NYU.

The study’s lead author, Adolfo Cueva, said, “Exposure to racial discrimination must be acknowledged as both a social determinant of obesity and a significant contributor to obesity disparities among children and adolescents.” Cuevas is an assistant professor of social and behavioral sciences at the NYU School of Global Public Health and a scholar in the Center for Anti-Racism, Social Justice, and Public Health at the NYU School of Global Public Health.

Although other determinants, such as income, may heighten the risk for obesity, racial discrimination is seen as a greater indicator, according to the study. Racial discrimination has also been linked to sleep disturbances, elevated cortisol levels, and declining mental health.

The study included 6,463 children from ages 9 to 11 in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study from 2017–2019. To assess if participants experienced racial discrimination, they were asked to recall if they received unfair treatment because of their race or ethnicity. Each participant’s body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were calculated a year later.

The research showed that children experiencing more racial discrimination had higher BMI and larger waist circumferences. It was determined that decreasing exposure to racial discrimination early in life can limit weight gained in a lifetime.

Cuevas said, “…preventing or at least mitigating the impact of discrimination sooner than later could potentially reduce the risk of obesity.” He also highlighted the importance of a concerted effort by educators, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to combat obesity in the population by developing strategies that prevent exposure to racial discrimination.

by Lauren Nutall

July 18, 2023

Introducing Jahylin McKee Of J. McKee & Co. 

Jahylin McKee, the founder and CEO of J. McKee and Co., a multidisciplinary boutique agency, was not always the communications master that people see today.

A graduate of Savannah State University, McKee started her work in public relations with only $500 and the help of a friend who let the budding entrepreneur sleep on her couch. McKee later found work with Hot 97, ICM Partners, and as the social media manager for Grammy-nominated rapper Remy Ma.

There, she utilized her communication skills to further develop their brands. McKee’s work with those clients allowed her to grow her communication strategies and, eventually, she made the decision to embark on her own public relations journey. 

Founded in 2018, McKee launched her full-service public relations agency J. McKee and Co. to focus on brand application, while demystifying the cultural nuances of the field. McKee and Co. is the intersection of traditional publication relation models and modern new-age talent and approaches. This unconventional model has proven successful, as McKee’s business has only expanded.

Her talents have been used in several collaborative ventures including projects with Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment, Apple, Netflix, Nike, MTV, Tidal, Revolt TV, NYFW, and Facebook. With McKee’s expertise and guidance, her clients have made appearances on major platforms and publications such as Good Morning America, E! News, Billboard, Forbes, Shondaland, Vogue, Elle, Essence, and more. McKee is no longer a novice. Now, the expert uses her skills to showcase her clients and impact. 

There is no gatekeeping at J. McKee and Co. McKee has always been committed to orchestrating opportunities so that people of color like herself can optimize resources and elevate themselves even further. Through comprehensive strategic communication plans and partnerships designed to increase visibility, her approaches not only focus on boosting her own public image, but also helping those who hope to break the industry mold. 

RELATED CONTENT: Public Relations Executive Kayla Tucker Adams Recognized by National Association of Black Journalists with 2022 Patricia L. Tobin Media Professional Award

CB2, Black in Design Collective, sculpting, art
by Stacy Jackson

July 18, 2023

CB2 Is On A Mission To Uplift Black Artists With The Newly Launched ‘Black In Design Collective’

Canadian-born designer Evan Jerry wants Black art accessible to as many people as possible.

The Studio Anansi founder is bringing together the voices and stories of Black designers through the Black in Design Collective, a new CB2 assortment featuring a global home decor collection from 11 Black artists and designers.

According to Elle Decor, Jerry’s partnership with CB2 aims to highlight the stories of underrepresented groups to change the industry’s lack of diversity. The Black in Design Collective gives Black artists a platform to reach a broader audience.

The assortments feature designs that speak to a range of cultures and backgrounds. “The brief was to express how you see Black futures in design,” Jerry said. “How designers perceived that was completely up to them—I was very mindful not to interfere with how they wanted to express that.”

 

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Kenyan multidisciplinary designer Sandra Githinji brings an international perspective to the collection with her Dome coffee table, constructed from traditional Kikuyu stool silhouettes.

“I didn’t just want to focus on the Western gaze and what’s happening in North America,” Jerry said. “I wanted to have a very international approach to this so we can see how Black narratives connect from a global perspective—and how they differ.”

Dimitri Zephir’s Guadeloupe-inspired light fixtures are also presented as part of the collection, along with architect and furniture designer Jerome Byron’s side table and console that balance positive and negative space. Jerry also has some featured pieces in the collection, including his Arc bronze velvet bench, which conveys a message of unity and coming together.

“I wanted something as important as this to be as accessible as possible to the most people,” Jerry said.

Other designers featured in the Black in Design Collective include Nigerian and New York designer Lani Adeoye Lagos; Florida fiber artist and textile designer Élan Byrd; Garth Roberts of Garth in Germany; Forbes Masters founders Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters of Atlanta; French furniture designer Axel Mert; New York multidisciplinary designer Luam Melake; and Jean-Marc Bullet, founder of Atelier Bullet in Martinique.

Stratyfy
by Sharelle B. McNair

July 18, 2023

Black-Owned AI-Powered Firm Partners With Advocacy Group To Battle Racism In the Lending Spaceship

Black-owned fintech firm Stratyfy is hoping to shift racist practices against Black homebuyers.

Stratyfy provides credit underwriting decisions with AI-powered machine learning solutions. Fintech Times reports that it recently announced a huge partnership with Beneficial State Foundation, an advocacy group focusing on systemic change in the banking system, to work through minimizing racial disparities in the lending field.

Through the Underwriting for Racial Justice program, which identifies opportunities to improve access to affordable and inclusive credit in communities across the US., the groups will launch a two-year pilot program to unlock capital for people of color. With this initiative, Stratyfy and BSF hope to educate on the importance of building wealth within communities historically underserved and affected by racism in the lending space. Co-founder and CEO of Stratyfy, Laura Kornhauser, calls the program “groundbreaking” and is honored to work with them. “The innovative lenders selected for the URJ program are redefining how people of color in their communities are able to access credit,” Kornhauser said.

“And Stratyfy is the technology chosen to deliver the collective insights and recommended actions to make it happen.”

According to research by Brookings, Black borrowers have a higher risk of obtaining high-interest loans, securing credit cards, or purchasing a home than every other racial class. Another study from McKinsey & Co. found giving opportunities from banking services could save Black, Latino, or Hispanic Americans up to $40,000 over their lifetime. Executive Director and Chief Impact Officer Erin Kilmer Neel says Stratyfy is the perfect partner to channel these issues. “Stratyfy is a key partner in this effort, using their credit risk solution to help lenders confidently make bold and meaningful changes while managing risk and meeting regulatory requirements for safety and soundness,” Neel said.

Some of the vendors participating in the pilot include Beneficial State Bank, Community Vision, New Orleans Fireman’s Federal Credit Union, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Lending, Inc., Urban Redevelopment Authority, Vermont Community Loan Fund, Working Solutions CDFI, and Washington State Employees Credit Union.

Fulton County Jail Under Federal Investigation After Inmate Found Covered In ‘Lice And Filth’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 17, 2023

Fulton County Jail Under Federal Investigation After Inmate Found Covered In ‘Lice And Filth’

The U.S. Department of Justice has started investigating the conditions that prisoners in one of Georgia’s jails have had to contend with.

In a recent announcement, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said that a civil rights investigation is taking place due to the conditions at Fulton County Jail.

“We are here today to announce that the United States Department of Justice is launching a civil investigation into the Fulton County Jail in Fulton County, Georgia. This investigation will be comprehensive,” said Clarke. “We will examine living conditions in the Fulton County Jail, access to medical care and mental health care, use of excessive force by staff, and conditions that may give rise to violence between people incarcerated at the facility. The investigation will also examine whether the Fulton County Jail discriminates against incarcerated people with psychiatric disabilities.”

Clarke also stated that since the prison population is 87% Black and is being mistreated, this is considered a racial justice issue.

Several instances were cited that prompted the investigation, such as the case of LaShawn Thompson, who was jailed with a psychiatric illness and passed away in September 2022. Thompson’s body was covered in lice and filth when he died in a cell in the jail’s mental health unit. He died of severe neglect.

Violence has been a major issue in Georgia jails, with more than one stabbing a day at one point in 2022. A sheriff’s search revealed more than 200 weapons at the central prison facility. Three people were killed at the jail in 2022, with one victim’s body hidden for hours before it was discovered.

The central jail has been “dilapidated and rapidly eroding.” Local news crews aired footage revealing flooding inside housing units and walls with giant holes.

There are currently two Fulton County detention officers facing state charges; one officer allegedly choked a female arrestee while she was being booked at the Alpharetta jail.

The Georgia prisons aren’t the only ones the Justice Department is looking into. Clarke also said investigations are being pursued in Alabama and Mississippi, among other states.

TGS, the gathering spot
by Iman Milner

July 17, 2023

The Gathering Spot’s Co-Founders Not Going Down Without A Fight, Sue Greenwood, Inc. For Breach Of Contract

The Gathering Spot (TGS), a Black-owned and operated members-only club for Black professionals, made waves last week when it announced its new chief financial officer would be Mike McCloskey, a white man.

Soon after, members of the private club began to probe deeper into recent, concerning changes to TGS since its acquisition by Greenwood Inc. Now, founders T’Keel “TK” Petersen and Ryan Wilson have filed a lawsuit against the fintech company, alleging that Greenwood has failed to pay them money they are owed as well as breaching its purchasing agreement through the replacement of C-suite-level executives.

Many Black professionals turned to The Gathering Spot as a safe and culturally inclusive alternative to Soho House and other private clubs that allegedly discriminate based on race. However, major changes have started to cause members to no longer turn to TGS for their working needs and have them considering ending their memberships altogether. Former TMZ personality Van Lathan took to Instagram, identifying himself as a founding member of the Los Angeles location and expressing his disappointment over the news. “I could join any social or co-working space in Los Angeles I want to. I joined this one because it was Black-owned, Black-run, and Black Black,” he said. “Firing a founder and adding a white dude to the C-suite is at cross purposes with everything I joined for.”

Petersen, who was relieved of his duties as TGS’ COO in an announcement last week, along with Wilson, originally saw the acquisition as a way to further the club’s commitment to empowering the Black community with financial resources, according to AfroTech. “Joining with Greenwood is a commitment to our community, and we share Greenwood’s vision in empowering people and helping them to build opportunity and generational wealth,” Wilson said then. Greenwood paid $50 million to acquire The Gathering Spot this year and has since said the company is not profitable, refusing to pay the promised $5 million earn-out payment if TGS reached $15 million in revenue.

Greenwood executives allege that Wilson and Petersen were not transparent about The Gathering Spot’s valuation at the time of the 2022 acquisition.

Jordyn Woods, Kylie Jenner, Relationship, Friendship, Klhloe Kardashian, Tristan Thompson, Red Table Talk
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 17, 2023

Jordyn Woods May Have Rekindled Her Fractured Friendship With Kylie Jenner

Reunited and it feels so good. Kylie Jenner and Jordyn Woods are back to being friends four years after the BFFs parted ways due to the Tristan Thompson kissing scandal.

Jenner and Woods were spotted enjoying a sushi date in Los Angeles on Saturday night and appeared to be in good spirits, according to photos obtained by the Daily Mail. The pair wore fashionable looks with the Kylie Cosmetics mogul sporting an asymmetrical black and white top with black trousers, and Woods donning a skintight maxi dress from her Woods by Jordyn clothing line.

It’s the first time the estranged friends have been seen in public together since their fallout in 2019 after Woods shared a kiss with Khloé Kardashian’s ex and baby daddy, Tristan Thompson. The Kardashian-Jenner family wasted no time ousting Woods from their inner circle, including Kylie who had been her friend since childhood.

After the kissing scandal, Woods appeared on Red Table Talk, where she opened up about the night the flirty behavior took place.

“It was a kiss on the lips, but no tongue kiss. No making out,” Woods said before taking accountability for her actions.

“I don’t think he’s wrong either because I allowed myself to be in that position. When alcohol is involved, people make dumb moves.”

After the bombshell interview, Khloé unleashed her rage against Woods on Twitter.

“Why are you lying @jordynwoods ??” Kardashian tweeted at the time. “If you’re going to try and save yourself by going public, INSTEAD OF CALLING ME PRIVATELY TO APOLOGIZE FIRST, at least be HONEST about your story. BTW, You ARE the reason my family broke up!”

Khloé did dump Tristan at the time but took him back a year later while they were co-parenting their daughter True during the Covid-19 lockdown. They broke up again at the end of 2021 when Tristan was caught in a paternity scandal with another woman.

The pair were in the process of welcoming their second child via surrogacy at the time the NBA player fathered a son with another woman. They have been separated since, but Kim Kardashian has continued to show public support for Thompson during his Lakers games, and has even brought her daughter North West along.

It looks like if Khloé can repeatedly forgive Tristan for cheating, Kylie decided to forgive her best friend for her mistake. Khloé has since posted a few cryptic quotes on her Instagram Story amid her little sister reuniting with her enemy.

Ok Khloe 🙄
by u/roxy7- in KUWTK

RELATED CONTENT: The Internet Reminds Khloé Kardashian How She Treated Jordyn Woods After She Says How It Is to Blame Women For Men Cheating

Houston, Texas, Syphilis, Outbreak, Women, STD, STI, 128, Increase, Rise, Cases
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

July 17, 2023

The City Of Houston Declared The Site Of A Syphilis Outbreak

The Houston Health Department has launched a massive community outreach campaign after declaring an outbreak of syphilis in Houston.

The outbreak is behind a 128% increase in cases among women, and a nine-fold rise in congenital syphilis in Houston and Harris County. As part of the outreach efforts, the department will be increasing screening opportunities, targeting hotspots, and mobilizing community partners to help prevent new infections. They’ll also waive all clinical fees for sexually transmitted infections at its health centers.

Statistics show a 57% increase from 1,845 cases in 2019 to 2,905 in 2022. The cases among women rose to 674 in 2022, a jump from 295 infections in 2019.

“Pregnant women must seek prenatal care and syphilis testing to protect themselves from an infection that could result in the deaths of their babies,” Marlene McNeese Ward, deputy assistant director in the department’s Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention said.

“A pregnant woman needs to get tested for syphilis three times during her pregnancy.”

The department is also expanding the use of its HIV/STD mobile clinic to increase the number of community screening sites in areas deemed hotspots and working with medical professionals to help raise awareness and increase testing and treatment.

Syphilis patients face a higher risk of HIV infection due to the painless sore developed at the site of sexual contact during the disease’s primary stage. New syphilis infections are known as primary, secondary, and early latent syphilis.

The disease is easily treatable with antibiotics. But if left untreated, can progress to the secondary stage where one or more areas of the skin break into a rash.

It has long been associated with high-risk groups, especially in men who have sex with men, according to the National Institute of Health. With the current outbreak in Houston being associated with women, it has raised concerns among many who are advocating for safer sex.

“Promiscuous sex never pays. Find a good man, marry him, and become exclusive,” one person tweeted in response to the report.

https://twitter.com/realDailyTrite/status/1680387290000941060?s=20

“Why is this a thing? What happened to no glove, no love?” another user asked.

According to Fox News, the department is recommending syphilis testing for multiple groups, including pregnant women at their first prenatal visit, third trimester, and delivery, those who have had unprotected sex, people with more than one sexual partner, men with anonymous sex partners, and people recently diagnosed with any other sexually transmitted disease.

RELATED CONTENT: This Black-Owned Condom Company Led By a Morehouse Grad, Leverages Instagram To Teach Sexual Wellness

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

July 17, 2023

Blue Note Jazz Festival Is On The Horizon With A Star-Studded Lineup

The Blue Note Jazz Festival, now annually held in Napa, California, has released its schedule for the three-day event that runs July 28-30. In its second iteration in wine country, festivities will include an array of musical performances from hip-hop to Jazz, as well as deluxe food, wine and dessert options.

Hosted by legendary comedian Dave Chappelle, with daily performances by famed pianist Robert Glasper and special guests, such as De La Soul, Lalah Hathaway and Bilal, the star-studded lineup is sure to spark the best time for music fans everywhere.


The festival will start its first day of shows with headliner Mary J. Blige. The iconic R&B songstress, also described as the “Queen of Hip Hop and Soul,” will lead the celebration by performing some of her greatest hits. Joining her on the Friday lineup are Ari Lennox, Cordae, George Clinton, and many more. The after-party will kick off in the later hours of the first night, hosted by Big Freedia with the music blasted by DJ Trauma.

In its second day of musical celebration, additional headliner Nas will grace the stage. The east coast rapper is considered to be one of the greatest lyricists of all time, within and outside Hip Hop, and showstoppers, such as Rapsody, Smino, Talib Kweli, and Madlib, will round out Saturday’s setlist. Of course, the (after)party goes on, with DJ Jazzy Jeff joining DJ Trauma on the ones and twos for the second night.

The festival’s final day will continue the hip-hop trend with Chance the Rapper on the main stage. His headlining performance, complemented with sets by NxWorries, PJ Morton, and Madlib, is sure to close out an all-day show filled with fun and eclectic artists, bringing the spirit of jazz music and its dynamic energy to the small-town scene. The party continues with DJ Pee .Wee  – also known Anderson .Paak – showcasing a vinyl set to send attendees off on a great note from an incredible lineup.

Blue Note Jazz Festival, Napa, Entertainment, Live, event, Jazz

Festival organizers have made it easier than ever to attend by broadening ticket options for those who wish to take part in this memorable occasion. General and VIP passes are still available, and layaway plans can also be enacted with just a deposit down. The VIP package includes front-stage and double-decker viewing platforms, courtyard lounge seating, exclusive merchandise, and food and drink vendors. Single-day options, along with afterparty passes, are available as well. Ticket information, as well as hotel suggestions, can be found at The Blue Note Jazz Festival’s Napa homepage.

RELATED CONTENT: How Renowned Chocolatier Phillip Ashley Rix Breaks The Mold In His Industry

 

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