Google Announces It Will Use All Internet Content To Improve Its AI Tech
by Iman Milner

July 6, 2023

Google Announces It Will Use All Internet Content To Improve Its AI Tech

The future of AI just got a bit more daunting. Google, the world’s premier search engine, has updated its privacy policy in order to have the ability to use any web content that may improve its AI technology.

Insiders have warned about the ramifications of AI with no cap on storing information and using it to mirror the work, feelings, and creations of human beings. And with few regulations, it seems that reality has already arrived.

“Google uses information to improve our services and to develop new products, features, and technologies that benefit our users and the public,” the new Google policy reads. “For example, we use publicly available information to help train Google’s AI models and build products and features like Google Translate, Bard, and Cloud AI capabilities.”

Changes made to the policy include explicit use of the term “AI” as well as “Bard” and “Cloud AI,” according to digitaltrends.

Concerns around Google’s ability to use anything produced online to further enhance their AI tools have risen in the wake of the updated privacy policy. Plagiarism as well as false information have been heavily debated downsides in the ever-growing conversation around ChatGPT and other AI models. Early ChatGPT models were criticized for filling in voids in its knowledge with falsified data, yet another reason why Google may need to better equip tools like Bard for more up-to-date processing.

To contend with the changes, popular social media sites like Twitter and Reddit have closed access to their APIs, which once allowed apps to collect and store user data to improve their own consumer experiences, according to digitaltrends.

However, with growing concerns about the future of AI, major sites have cut off connections to the third- party tools that helped the efficiency of their own sites to have more control over how data is used.

Stephen A. Smith
by Iman Milner

July 6, 2023

Stephen A. Smith Gives A Thoughful Farewell To Colleagues Who Were Laid Off At ESPN

In recent weeks, ESPN has caused quite a stir as massive layoffs have seen several well-known sports journalists bid farewell to the beloved network. Stephen A. Smith, one of the network’s biggest stars, spoke on the uncertain future of those who remain, including his own.

During an episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the 55-year-old First Take host expressed respect for his peers who have now found themselves unemployed and spoke to the grim reality of broadcasting. “ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” he said. “It’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from; they deserved better than the times we’re living in.”

The Walt Disney Co., the umbrella that ESPN falls under, has been taking extreme cost-cutting measures in recent months, laying off over 7,000 employees across different brands, according to The Root.

One of the more surprising layoffs was NBA Countdown host Jalen Rose. A fan favorite and former NBA player, Rose had become a crucial part of the team responsible for hosting the Finals. Alongside Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins, the former Indiana Pacers forward set the tone for the show with his unique style and knowledge of the game. “Got a lot of love for that brother,” Smith said about Rose. “A lot of the great work he’s done over the years, what he’s represented for the company… I’m going to miss him. Jalen Rose has always been good to me and I loved working with him on NBA Countdown. He is a brilliant basketball mind, he is somebody that worked his ass off all the time. There was never an assignment he backed away from, there was never a time he didn’t want to work.”

As for his future, Smith doesn’t feel exempt from the rapid changes happening in and around the industry. “If we’re going to be real about it, let’s deal with reality,” he said. “This ain’t the end, more is coming. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next.”

janet jackson, kamala harris, race comments, fake apology
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 6, 2023

Janet Jackson Proves She’s Still At The Top Of Her Game With Her Latest Tour Raking In Over $50M

Janet Jackson has been in the game for decades, dazzling fans, selling out arenas, and she is still setting records.

According to Billboard, Janet Jackson’s recently wrapped her “Together Again” tour, which grossed over $50 million, amounting to a personal best for the “Nasty” performer. The figures from Billboard Boxscore reveal that Jackson’s tour, which spanned 37 shows, sold 479,000 tickets and took in $50.9 million.

That total surpasses the $46.9 million that her “All for You Tour” took in between 2001-02.

The “What Have You Done for Me Lately” singer averaged 12,958 tickets per show, surpassing the per-show attendance of the “All for You Tour” (2001-02), the “Velvet Rope Tour “(1997-98), and the “Janet World Tour” (1993-94). Those were her best numbers since the “Rhythm Nation World Tour,” which occurred in 1990.

This feat is remarkable because this tour wasn’t done to support an album. Her last project, “Unbreakable,” was released eight years ago.

During the tour, she also hit a few career highs. The shows she performed in New York City at Madison Square Garden (May 8–9) sold 24,500 tickets, bringing in $3.8 million. This was the biggest reported engagement of her career (excluding her residency at Las Vegas’ Park Theater in 2019) and better than the three-show run at Madison Square Garden in August 2001. That engagement grossed $3.2 million by selling 42,500 tickets.

She did career numbers in Atlanta at the State Farm Arena on April 26, 2023, bringing in $3.1 million, and in Los Angeles, appearing at the Hollywood Bowl on June 10, 2023, the show brought in $2.8 million.

The tour was produced by Live Nation and co-headlined by “Fast & Furious” star Ludacris.

The “Together Again” tour celebrated Jackson’s 50th anniversary in entertainment and also spotlighted the milestones of her most critically acclaimed albums – 25 years of “The Velvet Rope” and 30 years of “janet.”

Jackson has grossed $254.9 million and sold 4.5 million tickets across 418 reported shows dating back to March 1990.

algorithms, racial bias
by Stacy Jackson

July 6, 2023

Doris Duke Foundation Pledges $10M To Health Groups To Reform Racial Bias In Medical Algorithms

The Doris Duke Foundation has a mission to “[support] the well-being of people and the planet for a more creative, equitable and sustainable future,” according to its website. 

According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy via The (Grand Junction, CO) Daily Sentinel, its current efforts include funding $10 million to five health organizations to promote equity in medical research by reevaluating the role of race in medical algorithms. 

“Race is not a biological proxy,” said the foundation’s incoming chief health equity officer, Joseph Wright. “Race is a social construct and has no place being embedded in a clinical guideline like this.” 

Sindy Escobar Alvarez, program director for medical research at the Doris Duke Foundation, said the foundation’s involvement is a result of the limited research that has been done to examine the impact and composition of “race-aware” algorithms. 

Four national medical organizations and one New York City-based coalition will receive funding: The American Academy of Pediatrics, The American Heart Association, The American Society of Hematology, The Coalition to End Racism in Clinical Algorithms (New York), and The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

The funding will include grants ranging from $1.36 million to $3.4 million to research the use of medical algorithms in hospitals with the ultimate goal of reforming and creating guidelines for these tools that consider race. 

Medical assessment tools have influenced decisions regarding patient care since the 1970s, according to the outlet. Research has shown that using algorithms can lead to worse outcomes and biased assessments for patients of color. Recent studies demonstrate that some algorithms can also lead to denying treatment for these patients. 

Previous concerns about the consequences of using race-based medical algorithms were not discussed. David Jones, a professor at Harvard Medical School, said minimal attention was given to this issue until 2016 when medical students began to raise questions about the use of race in clinical calculations leading hospitals such as Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Zuckerberg San Francisco General to refrain from using calculators that factor in a patient’s race. 

Other professionals who are not receiving funding shared insight on the use of algorithms. Nwamaka Eneanya, nephrologist and assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania, said, “The inequities of the pandemic and the murder of George Floyd really served as catalyst to change things.”

Some organizations that received funding, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, have begun to update their guidelines. However, some medical-society members support keeping race in clinical equations, and others believe finding an alternative for medical algorithms may be more beneficial.

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 6, 2023

Harlem Haberdashery and Vontelle Eyewear Launch Stylish Frames Made For Melanated Faces

If you’re looking for some stylish and trendy eyewear this summer, keep your eyes on Harlem Haberdashery and Vontélle Eyewear.

The Black-owned eyewear brands have collaborated to create glasses for Black people and others whose faces don’t fit European brands, the Amsterdam News reports. After meeting at a Chase Entrepreneurship program, the two brands realized they complemented each other well.

The creative project was launched June 22, 2023—Juneteenth week—at their Harlem-based boutique.

The partnership offers six new frames with vibrant colors that cater to people of melanin creation. The frames are named after historic elements of the beloved neighborhood of Harlem. For example, there is pink tortoise, “Sugar Hill” red and “Lenox Avenue” green.

Haberdashery’s president and CEO Sharene Woods said the collaboration perfectly reflects both companies’ capabilities. “I loved everything about their design,” Woods said.

Vontélle founders Nancey Flowers-Harris and Tracy Vontélle Green admire Woods’ and Haberdashery’s keen eye for detail. “Harlem Haberdashery are already the gurus of what they do,” Green said. “Woods really has a strict understanding of details—when this came out, it was fate.”

Some New York icons—including rapper Fat Joe, who looks good in the Lenox Avenue Pink frames—have already been seen sporting the eyewear.

The work shows the efforts by JPMorgan Chase to promote Black-owned businesses.

“This collaboration between Vontélle Eyewear and Harlem Haberdashery brings together the style, uniqueness, and creativity of two innovative brands and we’re looking forward to watching them grow together,” JPMorgan Chase’s vice president, senior business consultant, Joy Butts told Harlem World Magazine. “Our minority entrepreneurship program was designed to help diverse entrepreneurs and business owners start, grow, and scale their businesses through individualized coaching and access to networking opportunities that foster win-win partnerships with like-minded businesses.”

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

July 6, 2023

Author Releases Memoir About Being the ‘Last Black Undercover Narc in America’

Meet Bobby R. White, the author of a new book entitled The Last Black Undercover Narc in America, which gives readers a glimpse into the chaotic world of being an African American undercover narcotic officer.

Undercover operations involving black police officers can carry inherent risks and challenges. While the use of undercover officers is a common practice in law enforcement, the dangers faced by black officers operating in this capacity are multifaceted and demand careful consideration. Moreover, there is the inherent risk of psychological toll on the undercover officer, who must navigate a delicate balance between loyalty to their profession and potential conflicts with their community.

White, a graduate of the University of Texas where he majored in Criminal Justice, holds a Master Peace Officer certificate from the Texas Law Enforcement Commission. After 25 years of service, he received academic recognition from the Texas Law Enforcement Commission upon his retirement in 2003.

His memoir, The Last Black Undercover Narc In America, published by Page Publications is the true story of his life and career. It reveals how and why 30 years ago the President of the United States, the Governor of Texas, and members of Congress thanked him for a job well done.

The book also reveals to readers why his alias, the undercover name of Ray Jay Black, was the most feared name to the drug cartel who tried to kill him, and to the crooked politicians who tried to smear his name after his investigation.

The Last Black Undercover Narc In America also reveals the national media’s hidden history of how systemic racism from friendly fire has been the main cause of death for many Black undercover cops and Black plainclothes police detectives in America.

The book is available for purchase from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple iTunes, and Google Play.

For press inquiries, contact (903) 241-0223 or whitelongview@att.net

by Sharelle B. McNair

July 6, 2023

Keke Palmer Posts A ‘Classy Clap-back’ In Response To Her Partner’s Public Shaming

Keke Palmer decided to finally speak out after her boyfriend shamed her publicly over a risqué outfit.

Twitter was set ablaze when Palmer’s boyfriend, Darius Jackson, reposted a video from RNB RADAR of Palmer, wearing a see-through dress with a thong bodysuit underneath, being serenaded by Usher at his concert. He pointed out that she is a mom, causing fans to speculate that he didn’t approve of her outfit.

While Twitter jumped to the Nope actress’ defense, the new mom spoke out in her very own way. On Instagram, Palmer posted more pictures in her outfit with the caption, “I wish I had taken more pictures but we were running late! I am telling y’all right now, if you haven’t seen @usher YOU MUST GO!! HE WAS SO FABULOUS!!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BIG BOSS 🔑🔑 (@keke)

Fans were quick to defend Palmer’s choice of outfit, telling Jackson that he should be encouraging her as a new mom, rather than putting her down. “As a new mom it would be better for you to encourage her as she is building that confidence back,” one user said. Another compared Jackson’s comments to the risqué outfit worn by singer Ciara at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar party. “This dress that Ciara wore to the Oscars was even more risqué than what Keke wore. Yet look at Russell’s reaction,” the Twitter user said. “And these ones are even married! May our husbands not be the weapons fashioned for our de-baddification.”

Jackson doubled down on his comments, calling Palmer his “wife,” and saying he has “standards & morals to what I believe.”

 

Diageo, Diddy's Lawsuit
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 6, 2023

Diddy ‘Can’t Stop Won’t Stop’ With Lawsuit Against The Spirits Giant ‘Diageo’ As New Court Documents Emerge

After Diddy (neé Sean Combs) filed a lawsuit against Diageo (the distributor of Cîroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila) asking for equal distribution as his white counterparts for his liquor brands, more details were revealed after a judge ruled that Diageo couldn’t keep certain portions of the suit confidential.

According to The Associated Press, Sean Combs, aka Diddy, has filed paperwork accusing Diageo of racism after the spirits distribution company allegedly gave preferential treatment to other brands that are not Black-owned. Diddy is requesting that Diageo abide by an agreement made in 2021 requiring them to treat his DeLeón Tequila brand “at least as favorably” as other tequila brands under the spirits umbrella.

The lawsuit states that Diageo’s treatment of Diddy’s DeLeón Tequila worsened after the company acquired two competing tequila brands—Don Julio in 2014 and Casamigos in 2017. Combs accused Diageo of labeling his brand as an inferior “urban” brand, thereby limiting DeLeón’s distribution.

The documents also detailed what Diddy described as Diageo’s repeated disinvestment in DeLeón. For example, in 2022, DeLeón was distributed in only 3% of possible outlets. Meanwhile, Don Julio was in 36% of possible outlets. DeLeón has been listed as “out of stock” in several significant markets at least ten times within the past year.

The racism claim also lies within one of the flavors the company produced and promoted. Diageo developed a watermelon flavor, which Diddy opposed based on the historical stereotype aimed at Black people. The document also revealed Diddy claimed the internal Diageo documents proposed downplaying Cîroc’s connection to the hitmaker and rolling back its “image of being an African-American brand.”

Diageo responded by accusing Diddy of resorting to “false and reckless” allegations to gain monetary damages. Diageo also claimed to have increased production of DeLeón, and that sales have doubled since the two penned the agreement in 2021.

tabitha, target
by Stacy Jackson

July 6, 2023

Tabitha Brown Stays Winning With Permanent Partnership With Target For Vegan Food Line

Tabitha Brown has extended her food line’s shelf life at Target. 

In May 2022, Brown, a serial entrepreneur and social media personality, secured a deal with Target to place her vegan food line on the retailer’s shelves. After the items sold out within days, consumers pushed for the products to be available year-round in stores. 

During 2023’s Essence Festival of Culture, Brown announced that her vegan collection would return to Target at the beginning of 2024 and revealed that her haircare line, Donna’s Recipe, would also soon be sold at Target.

As she approached her sixth anniversary of going vegan, Brown spoke about the challenges she faced over the years, sharing how she persevered through her battles with depression, physical illness, and financial obstacles. 

“If He did it for me, He will and can do it for you,” Brown said, according to AfroTech. “Six years ago, I didn’t have no money. I didn’t have a career. I didn’t have health. I didn’t even have a strong mental capacity to see the light, yet He pulled me out of it, and here I am.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Tabitha Brown (@iamtabithabrown)

Brown thanked her fans for their support throughout her journey.

“First of all, I’m so grateful for y’all; thank you for supporting me at Target,” Brown said, according to Ebony. “Y’all sold that food out so fast! But next year, it’s going to be there all year long. Not only that, yes, you’ll be able to get all the things from the first line, and we’re adding some new items, too.”

The audience was gifted with bags of Brown’s vegan popcorn in three flavors: dill pickle, sweet and salty, and roasted garlic and Parmesan. The vegan line also includes:

  • BBQ and seasoned plant-based hamburger patties
  • Sausages
  • A variety of dips, nuts, and granola

“Next year, we’re going to see what the Lord does. Thank y’all again so much, and I love y’all.”

Brown’s display of true grit has been reflected in her success as an entrepreneur and a media personality.

Inclusion, North American Warner Brothers Discovery, Karen Horne
by Atiya Jordan

July 6, 2023

Say What? 4 Black Female Executives Exit Top Roles At Major Corporations

The diversity, equity, and inclusion space, specifically in Hollywood, is witnessing a reckoning. Reports show four seasoned and talented Black women DEI executives at three major corporations have stepped down or been dismissed.

According to Variety, the first wave of announcements began on June 20. The news outlet obtained an internal memo stating that Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer and Senior Vice President Latondra Newton would be exiting her role after over six years. She is one of three execs leaving organizations on their own accord. Though Newton is departing Disney, she is looking forward to joining the corporate board of another company as well as committing more time to her self-owned creative company, a source told Variety.

Eight days later, on June 28, news broke that Netflix’s Head of Inclusion Strategy Vernā Myers, would be stepping down from her role in September. She told Variety that she will return to her consulting company, The Vernā Myers Co., “working across global organizations and industries while continuing to advise Netflix.”

Myers was the first to ever serve in the role for the streaming giant when she joined in 2018. Over the past five years, Myers’ work has led her to author Netflix’s first inclusion report in 2021, which discloses representation stats for the company’s workforce and initiatives in workplace culture and programming. Netflix’s Vice President of Inclusion Strategy Wade Davis will be her replacement. Davis was the NFL’s first LGBT inclusion consultant, where he worked at the intersection of sexism, racism, and homophobia to build inclusive leadership strategies and engagement initiatives.

A day after the Supreme Court struck down affirmative action on June 30, it was reported that Warner Brothers Discovery laid off its Senior Vice President of North America Diversity Equity and Inclusion Karen Horne as a result of “restructuring” how they “educate, empower, and engage” their employees. A memo by WBD further revealed the company’s plans to enlist “designated leads who are tasked solely with employee-related initiatives in each region.”

Throughout her career, Horne has been recognized as a Diversity and Inclusion pioneer and creative pipeline builder with a broad portfolio of programs and initiatives. BLACK ENTERPRISE invited the then-high-profile SVP of Programming Talent Development and Inclusion at NBC Entertainment and Universal Television Studios to offer her expertise at the 2016 Women of Power Summit. She addressed how you can build trust, confidence, and respect that will make your team unbreakable.

An additional report on June 30 announced that the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences would be losing its Executive Vice President of Impact and Inclusion Jeanell English. She accepted the newly created position in July 2022 and went on to design and implement the Academy Film Accelerator, which amplifies and supports the careers of filmmakers from underrepresented communities.

During BE’s Chief Diversity Officer Summit & Honors, Fidelity Investments’ Head of Office of Diversity & Inclusion Wendy John spoke briefly about the result of the affirmative action ruling. “We should expect that the ruling will empower some of the individuals in the organizations to start to ask questions that challenge some of the programs that we have,” said John.

Since then, the news regarding these DEI execs’ departures has sparked a whirlwind of heavy commentary across social media — including a concerned post from Hollywood star Yvette Nicole Brown. Users are heartbroken, while others suggest the Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in college admissions does not affect these recent decisions.

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