North Carolina Artist Paints Mural Of Busta Rhymes’ Father-Son Moment As A Tribute To Black Fatherhood
The accolades for former Leaders of the New School lead man Busta Rhymes have been piling up lately. Another indirect one recently appeared in North Carolina after an artist drew a mural inspired by a photo taken of the recording artist kissing his college-bound son several years ago.
According to Durham, NC’s The Triangle Tribune, the mural in downtown Raleigh was revealed at a local restaurant. “Irregardless” shows Busta embracing his son as a tribute to Black fatherhood. (In the bottom right-hand corner “I hope you turn out better than me” is painted.) The artwork was commissioned by the restaurant owner, Lee Robinson, and the building’s owner, David Meeker.
The mural was painted by Dare Coulter, an award-winning professional sculptor, artist, muralist, and illustrator who constructed the mural on the wall outside of “Irregardless” restaurant, which is located at 901 W. Morgan St.
The inspiration for the drawing was taken from a post that the Long Island-bred rapper placed on his Instagram account in 2017. Busta was dropping his then 18-year-old son, Trillian, off at Lincoln University. He acknowledged his son by writing: “Another young King of mine, off to begin the next chapter. Congrats @originaltrillian. The World is Yours, young King. #LincolnUniversity.”
“All of my work focuses on positive imagery of Black people—depictions of joy, depictions of family, depictions of love,” Coulter said. “For me, that photo is the epitome of that.”
She is no stranger to getting her work noticed. Coulter has nine children’s books that she illustrated, including Kwame Alexander’s An American Story. She also commissioned a painting of jazz singer Nina Simone for the National Trust for Historic Preservation to raise funds to restore Simone’s childhood home in Tryon, North Carolina.
You can also see a 200-foot mural in Greensboro that she drew that honors Black cowboys.
‘The White Dress Project’ Creates EmPOWERment Experience For Black Women With Fibroids
Award-winning journalist, educator, and non-profit founder Tanika Gray Valbrun advocates for women with fibroids, a mission that stemmed from her personal journey with uterine fibroids, including undergoing two myomectomies.
These experiences have catalyzed her advocacy work and have led her to establish The White Dress Project (TWDP), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting women with fibroids and raising awareness about this condition.
Valbrun’s work has included collaborations with doctors, health advocates, and elected officials to achieve significant milestones such as the designation of July as “Fibroids Awareness Month.”
With statistics that reflect the significant impact of fibroids on the lives of over 26 million women worldwide, with 80% of Black women being affected, the patient advocate shared her mission to empower women to be their own health advocates.
The White Dress Project
The White Dress Project is a global initiative to raise awareness about uterine fibroids. The non-profit has built a community strong in education, resources, and advocacy to make an impact in the lives of those affected by the condition.
“As a non-profit organization driven by women who have experienced the profound journey of living with fibroids, we possess a unique perspective that allows us to educate, empower, and support individuals on their own fibroid journeys,” Valbrun tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Women’s health concerns are at the forefront of TWDP’s expert advisory council of healthcare professionals. TWDP provides accessible treatment options from dedicated research.
“The symbol of the white dress represents more than just a fashion statement; it embodies hope and resilience for those impacted by fibroids, a reminder that together we will discover a cure,” she says. “By fostering consistent discussions about fibroids, we strive to combat the isolation and loneliness often felt by women with this condition. We aim to create a supportive community where individuals can seek help, share their stories, and find strength in the knowledge that they are not alone in their struggles.”
The EmPOWERment Experience
The White Dress Project will host its EmPOWERment Experience from July 14-16, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The three-day event opens up a space to address fibroids through storytelling, education, and community-building.
“Our goal is to leave attendees feeling empowered, informed, and motivated to advocate for their health and fibroid awareness. Through engaging with medical professionals, advocates, and fellow fibroid warriors, attendees gain valuable insights, support, and strategies to navigate their journey,” Valbrun says.
Bridging the gap between patients of color and doctors
Conversations around fibroid awareness avoid spreading misconceptions and misinformation.
“Through these discussions, we promote better understanding among the public, healthcare providers, and policymakers, ultimately leading to improved support, resources, and empathy for women affected by fibroids,” Valbrun explains.
The White Dress Project is committed to bridging the gap between patients of color and doctors by creating educational platforms and initiatives that foster understanding, empowerment, and access to care.
“We understand the importance of representation in healthcare, which is why we actively work toward highlighting physicians of color through our physician directories,” says Valbrun, noting the non-profit’s comprehensive list of healthcare professionals who share a cultural background. TWDP provides accurate and up-to-date information about fibroid treatment options.
TWDP hosts webinars and workshops to equip individuals with accurate knowledge to make informed decisions regarding their health.
“Addressing health disparities and medical gaslighting, particularly within the Black community, is crucial in the context of uterine fibroids as they disproportionately impact Black women,” Valbrun says. “It is imperative for healthcare providers and community leaders to engage in open and informed discussions about fibroid symptoms with Black women. By recognizing and validating their experiences, we can combat the harmful effects of medical gaslighting and ensure that their concerns are taken seriously.”
By considering cultural factors and adopting a holistic approach, providers can deliver “personalized and effective care, reducing the burden of fibroids on the Black community.”
Get involved to help support women with fibroids
“Fibroids can take a toll on both physical and emotional well-being, and having a network of understanding individuals who can provide comfort, guidance, and a listening ear is paramount. That’s why at The White Dress Project, we prioritize fostering a community that offers compassion, shared experiences, and resources for empowerment,” Valbrun says
The community can get involved and help raise awareness by staying connected through The White Dress Project, spreading the word, volunteering, donating and fundraising, and sharing personal experiences or stories of their story or someone else affected by fibroids.
“By sharing your experience, you contribute to the collective narrative, inspire others, and help raise awareness about the impact of fibroids,” Valbrun said.
All Black Everything: Diddy Launches ‘Empower Global’ With Hopes To ‘Elevate The Black Economy’
Sean “Diddy” Combs has been steadfast in his quest to support Black-owned businesses and has just taken another step to ensure that continues.
The hip-hop entrepreneur has officially launched a website entitled Empower Global. It is a curated marketplace dedicated to being the largest Black-owned platform to present top Black-owned brands in various categories like fashion, art, and beauty worldwide.
“My mission has always been to empower Black entrepreneurs and create more opportunities for them to access the resources, tools, and support needed to build successful businesses,” said Diddy, chairman of Combs Global, in a written statement. “Empower Global will uplift Black entrepreneurs, keep dollars circulating in our community, and make buying Black a lifestyle.”
Combs announced this initiative in 2021, working on the final product to bring what is live now. The new platform was designed and created by Black-owned TechSparq, and the company received assistance from another Black-owned tech company ChatDesk.
“Empower Global is a transformative platform that embodies Sean Combs’ unwavering commitment to Black entrepreneurship,” said Tarik Brooks, president of Combs Global. “On behalf of Combs Global, we are thrilled to launch this initiative, which showcases the incredible products and talents of Black-owned businesses and provides a gateway for consumers to support and uplift our community. Through Empower Global, we aim to foster sustainable growth and create lasting opportunities that will leave a positive and enduring impact on the Black economy.”
Empower Global is Diddy’s contribution to helping revitalize the concept of uplifting Black entrepreneurs and helping to keep Black dollars circulating within the Black community.
The Disrespect: Tennessee Radio Host Refers To Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre As ‘Buckwheat’
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was the victim of racist remarks from a Tennessee right-wing radio host.
During an episode of the WKOM 101.7 FM radio show 3 Dudes with a View, host and station owner Delk Kennedy referred to Jean-Pierre as “Buckwheat,” the Advocate reports.
Kennedy and his co-hosts, Jim York and Clayton Harris, were discussing Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban and spouting falsehoods about the healthcare for trans youth when Kennedy suddenly brought Jean-Pierre and President Biden into the discussion.
“President Biden has come—both he and Buckwheat Jean-Pierre have come out and in favor of a national law, allowing minors without the consent of their parents to have gender-changing procedures,” Kennedy said.
“And in some cases, states have enacted laws—California, places like that—where if a child wants gender-changing surgery and the parents won’t consent, the child can be removed from the home as abused and neglected, placed in foster care, and be given the gender changing procedures.”
Buckwheat was a Black child character in the Little Rascals or Our Gang series, which was popular in the 1930s and widely used as a racial stereotype.
Kennedy used the racist reference again toward Jean-Pierre while talking about Ukraine relations. “What’s interesting to me is that Jen Psaki, the former White House Press Secretary, she had Jean-Pierre Buckwheat’s job before she came out just a year or two ago, saying that cluster bombs were a war crime,” he said.
After receiving complaints about his remarks toward the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to serve in the position, Kennedy jumped on the mic the next day to joke about it and followed up by saying the name was a compliment.
“There we go, Buckwheat, Buckwheat, Buckwheat,” Kennedy said, according to LGBTQ Nation, after another co-host joked that “you calling Jean-Pierre Buckwheat just really set these white folks off.”
“Buckwheat in Little Rascals is not some stereotypical old song of the South Darkie,” Kennedy added. “He is a very admirable, smart, capable person.”
Black GOP Congressman Who Said Trump Was ‘Not Fit To Lead’ Just Endorsed His Campaign
Michigan Congressman John James gave an interesting endorsement of former President Donald Trump after publicly chiding him last year.
According to Insider, the House Republican endorsed Trump in a statement that criticized the leadership of President Joe Biden, while comparing his policies to those of his predecessor. James called moves by the Biden administration “particularly detrimental to Michigan’s middle-class,” while praising Trump’s “pro-family policies.” He added, “In 2024, we need to give hope to Americans who feel like their government is failing them.”
This is a major departure from James’ previous feelings about the former president, particularly after Trump called for the termination of the U.S Constitution in December of last year.
“A man who would suspend the Constitution can’t be trusted,” James said at the time, according to Insider. “Anyone who will put their egos over people is not fit to lead.”
Still, it does not come as a complete surprise that the lawmaker has changed his tune, as many GOP members have already given their support to Trump’s bid for a second term. James’ early endorsement of Trump is also eyebrow-raising as it is not clear what the former president’s campaign will truly center on. However, the GOP has hung its hat on his far-right values as evidence of his capacity to once again lead the country. “It’s the fact that we are six months worse off under the Biden administration,” James said about his endorsement.
Michigan is a swing state; therefore, Republicans like James may find it difficult to sway support Trump’s way. The largest cities in the state are still home to some of the largest Black populations in the nation, who hold historically Democratic values and often vote in their own best interests. James’s early endorsement of the former president is also of interest as in his two races for a Senate seat, he’s leaned more progressive in an effort to separate himself from the polarizing beliefs of other GOP candidates.
US Forest Service And 4 HBCUs Unite To Boost Representation In Wildland Firefighting
Fighting fires and a lack of diversity simultaneously affect the on-site fire academy in Alabama.
The academy results from collaboration between the US Forest Service and several HBCUs: Alabama A&M University, Florida A&M University, Southern University in Louisiana, and Tuskegee University. This partnership was established at the school in 1993 to provide students with employment opportunities with the agency. The programs from the Alabama–Forest Service alliance are credited with training two-thirds of Black foresters in the agency, according to Stephanie Love, the USDA Forest Service’s national diversity student programs manager, Alabama A&M alum, and member of the first FireDawgs squad.
As the effects of global climate change continue to impact the environment and increase wildfire season in the U.S., recruitment has heightened. This is especially true among minorities, who are underrepresented in firefighting and forestry.
An apprenticeship program will address underrepresentation in the industry and equip students with the appropriate credentials to handle forest fires. According to The Associated Press, 20 students from HBCUs participate in instructor-supervised prescribed burns, which consist of clearing paths and extinguishing fires.
Love spoke about the program’s mission. “These four HBCUs have some of the top agricultural programs at HBCUs in the nation. So, it just makes sense to align our efforts and move together in the same direction,” said Love. “We’re trying to create a pipeline of students who are pursuing this natural resources education and forestry and fire.”
According to the agency’s data collection efforts, the Forest Service employee roster of approximately 13,000 wildfire responders has seen a 20% increase in diversity. Fire personnel identifying as Black remains at 1.3%, with Black women constituting approximately 0.5% of employees.
Students shared their sentiments about having the opportunity to meet and interact with someone who is an HBCU alumnus and seeing a team of workers that look similar to them.
Bradley Massey, junior president of the forestry club at Alabama A&M, discussed how his school piqued his interest in the firefighting and forestry industry.
“I feel like it has helped me a lot in my career now,” Massey said since learning about FireDawgs.
One of the challenges associated with diversifying the firefighting and forestry industry is retention. Love said that to increase the number of students in this line of work, the Forest Service and HBCUs have established mentorships, scholarships, and internships.
Jade Kearney, CEO Of She Matters On Creating An App, Helping To Reduce Disparities In Black Women’s Maternal Health
The She Matters CEO has been connecting Black women through a shared experience since she launched her mobile app.
As a Black female founder and mother, Jade Kearney Dube knows what it takes to thrive as a Black woman in entrepreneurship.
The She Matters CEO has been connecting Black women through a shared experience since she launched her mobile app. The digital platform supports Black women and women of color “who experience postpartum comorbidities” by helping promote and build healthy habits. The app allows women to track their progress and celebrate their success.
“She Matters decreases instances of Black maternal morbidity by providing Black mothers with community, culturally competent care, and culturally relevant resources,” Dube tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “We bridge the gap between provider and patient by offering a culturally competent certification for hospital networks and individual practitioners.”
Dube’s contribution to the digital health space has been highlighted during several industry appearances, such as being named keynote keynote speaker at NYC Women in Tech Digital Health Edition and VIVE Health Conference in Nashville.
“My co-founder and I look at digital health as a relationship connector between patient and provider,” she says. “We are the only fem tech startup that holds providers accountable for their cultural competency to decrease Black maternal mortality, and we are both Black women doing this.”
The Pink Book
In 2022, She Matters released The Pink Book, a yearly guide to pregnancy that provides a plethora of resources for expecting and current Black mothers, including locations to safe hospitals for delivery where they are likely to receive the best maternal care.
“I was inspired to create The Pink Book after my own search for a hospital to deliver my children in,” Dube says.
Dube’s guide eliminated the extensive search for culturally competent care needed for Black women facing medical emergencies. “I want She Matters to be the premier data hub for postpartum statistics for Black women. We are focusing on that through strategic partnerships, new and improved technology, and last but certainly not least, our community of Black mothers,” she adds.
Cultural competence certification
The platform offers training for healthcare providers through its Cultural Competence Certification. The program’s mission reflects She Matters initiative to “improve health outcomes for Black women who experience postpartum complications.”
The program provides comprehensive training and support as providers identify their organization’s Objectives & Key Results (OKRs). Participants also receive asynchronous training, office hours support, and custom reporting.
Members of the She Matters community have access to free donated therapy sessions. The app extends its directory of other culturally competent healthcare professionals and those who receive training through the platform’s certification program. In March 2023, She Matters had a waitlist of over 2,000 Black mothers searching for culturally competent mental healthcare.
Supporting Black female founders
Along with her passion for supporting Black mothers, Kearney locked in on her passion for using her own entrepreneurial experiences to extend informational resources to aspiring and present entrepreneurs. She founded Black Girls Tech Day to make the entrepreneurial journeys of other Black female founders easier.
“I’ve had such a hard time because of a learning gap and lack of mentorship in the tech space that most white men don’t experience,” Dube says. “I wanted to change that, so I created Black Girls Tech Day.”
Black female founders in tech congregate during the conference to network, learn, and celebrate each other’s contributions to entrepreneurship. Attendees are exposed to expert panels, funding resources, and mentorship.
As a Lean Startup Expert, Dube wanted entrepreneurs of color to gain knowledge through her own lived experience. She released her guide to Black entrepreneurship, Lean While Black, to detail the principles of lean startup methodology concerning BIPOC founders.
“I have encountered racism throughout my life, but never as prominent as when I sought out venture capital,” Dube says. “I wanted to document this process to validate the experiences of other Black founders, so when there are thoughts of insecurity or when you question if it’s you or them, that creates the divide between funding. Black founders understand that the space isn’t diverse, and it probably isn’t [our] idea. It’s their lack of interest in our innovation.”
Dube is looking forward to hosting this year’s Black Girls Tech Day conference in locations, including New York and Los Angeles.
17-Year-Old Rising Senior Set To Become Baltimore’s 1st Student Board Member To Vote On $2.6B Budget
A high school student will decide how Baltimore County’s School Board allocates its two billion-dollar budget.
The Baltimore Banner reported that Parkville High School senior Kayla Drummond will get to vote on the school board’s $2.6 billion budget. Drummond is the county’s student board member for 2023.
Her vote will mark the first time a student board member is permitted to vote on the county’s budget.
“I’m just excited to be the first person to be able to do that … and kind of help figure out like the small details of it and just help improve it, make it more realistic and better equipped to help more Baltimore County students,” Drummond said, according to the outlet.
The 17-year-old wants the voices of students to be heard. “Our opinions and beliefs and things should be valued especially because we are the school system, we are the students,” Drummond said.
Only some people are on board with the idea. The outlet noted that Julie Henn, a board member, said in a Facebook post that voting on the budget was a lot of pressure for one student.
“What is even more disturbing is the amount of pressure this decision-making authority would undoubtedly unleash from multiple directions on the student Board member,” she said.
Others think age is just a number. Eric Ebersole shared his opinion in favor of the student’s voting rights. As the bill’s sponsor, Ebersole believes students on the board are more than capable of deciding how the budget is allocated.
He responded to critics by telling The Baltimore Banner, “Just because you don’t think your next-door neighbor isn’t qualified to be president, it doesn’t mean nobody is qualified to be president.”
Four of the 24 counties in Maryland—Baltimore, Baltimore City, Montgomery, and Anne Arundel—permit student board members to vote on budgets.
Rihanna Is Still The Face Of Savage X Fenty Despite No Longer Being CEO
The Bad Gal RiRi is still giving body, with a belly bump, in her latest posts to her over 150 million followers on Instagram. However, the scantily clad pics were not just for show, but for Savage X Fenty, the athleisure and lingerie brand Rihanna founded and recently stepped down from.
The soon-to-be mother of two donned a sheer red set of women’s intimates with an array of fabrics in the background, calling the collection her “new fav’s.” Although her departure as CEO shocked the retail community, it is clear that the entrepreneur is still running some elements from behind the scenes and in front of the camera, especially in the marketing and branding department.
Rihanna’s continued position as the face of the brand marks her evolving role within Savage X Fenty. While initially stepping down in order to make more time in her busy schedule for her growing family, her strong support of her company remains.
The brand is one of her two lucrative businesses that catapulted her to billionaire status, alongside her highly-profitable Fenty Beauty, with subsidiary Fenty Skin. The 35-year-old is still the CEO of the beauty and skincare companies in her portfolio.
In regards to fans’ ever-present questions about new music, Rihanna insisted that its still coming, but with another baby well on its way, it is safe to say that a single won’t be the next thing she drops.
In the meantime, Rihanna is basking in the sun while embarking on her new role as a mother of multiple children, shared with partner and fellow musician-entrepreneur A$AP Rocky. Prior to her Savage X Fenty shout-out, she shared an adorable photo on July 3 of her son and his father while on a family vacation in her home country of Barbados.
What Happened To Noni Battiste-Kosoko?: The 19-Year-Old Inmate Found Dead In Fulton County Jail
A dead inmate at the Atlanta City Detention Center in Fulton County, Georgia, is sparking questions.
The body of 19-year-old Noni Battiste-Kosoko was found by detention center officials while making dinner rounds, Fox 5 Atlantareports. The victim was being held for a misdemeanor bench warrant since May 2. Her bond was initially set at $2,000, but after new charges came out of of Miami-Dade County, Florida, she was held without bond.
Around 6:30 p.m., Battiste-Kosoko was found unresponsive in her cell on July 11, 2023. Medical personnel and the Atlanta Fire rescue team found no obvious signs of injury. Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to perform the autopsy.
The Fulton County detentions and jail have been under a microscope over the last couple of months. In April, the chief jailer and two assistant chief jailers resigned after a prisoner, Lashawn Thompson, was found “eaten alive” in his cell. Thompson was arrested in June 2022 for a misdemeanor simple battery charge and was placed in the psychiatric wing due to mental health issues. Three months later, he “was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs,” according to Michael Harper, the family’s attorney.
Now, the Department of Justice has launched a civil investigation into conditions at Fulton County Jail, according to Atlanta News First.
The investigation will look at the living conditions at the jail, access to medical and mental health care, history of conditions at the jail, use of force, and more. Investigators will look into whether “Fulton County and the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office discriminate against persons with psychiatric disabilities inside the jail.”
“People in prisons and jails are entitled to basic protections of their civil rights,” United States Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “During this comprehensive review of the conditions of confinement at the Fulton County Jail, the Justice Department will determine whether systemic violations of federal laws exist, and if so, how to correct them.”
