28-Year-Old Is The Youngest Black Professor to Simultaneously Teach at Columbia, NYU and UCLA
Meet 28-year-old Dr. Eli Joseph, the youngest Black instructor to teach simultaneously at three prestigious universities – Columbia University, New York University, and UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). This year, he gave the ceremonial speech to the class of 2023 graduates at the School of Professional Studies at both Columbia and NYU.
Despite his distinguished accomplishments, however, Dr. Joseph is no stranger to failure and rejection. In his lifetime, he’s been turned down by more than 1,500 employers, 30 colleges, and 75 scholarship foundations. He was denied admission to other elite institutions like Princeton, UPenn, Cornell University, Dartmouth University, and Brown University. Back in 2012, Dr. Joseph received a letter of rejection from Columbia University. Today, he serves as an associate faculty in the Applied Analytics program at Columbia University School of Professional Studies.
Back in 2016, he was also rejected by the New York University Tandon School of Engineering. Now, he teaches graduate students at the NYU School of Professional Studies.
Additionally, he has seen thousands of rejection notices from various firms in finance, technology, and managerial consulting. Some of these companies include JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, Google, Amazon, Facebook, BCG, McKinsey, Deloitte, and Bain.
Though Dr. Joseph experienced a plethora of rejections from various firms and institutions, he has successfully overcome various personal and professional challenges – including the recent loss of his older brother last year.
Uber and Lyft Drivers May Not Get The PayDay They Were Hoping For, Wage Increase Vetoed
According to The Minnesota Reformer, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota has vetoed that would have mandated higher pay and job security for drivers employed by ridesharing services such as Lyft and Uber.
The bill would have also provided drivers with better protection against company termination.
The announcement was made by the governor’s office several hours after Uber stated it would pull its service out of greater Minnesota while only providing “premium services” in the Twin Cities metropolitan area if Walz signed the bill into law.
“Rideshare drivers deserve fair wages and safe working conditions. I am committed to finding solutions that balance the interests of all parties, including drivers and riders,” Walz said in a written statement. “This is not the right bill to achieve these goals. I have spent my career fighting for workers, and I will continue to work with drivers, riders, and rideshare companies to address the concerns that this bill sought to address.”
The governor also issued an executive order to start a group that includes drivers, riders, and transportation network companies that will make recommendations for legislation next year.
A spokesperson from Lyft released a statement after the veto was announced.
“Lawmakers should pass fair pay and other protections, but it must be done in a way that doesn’t jeopardize the affordability and safety of those who rely on the service. We look forward to continuing our engagement and finding a similar pathway forward here in Minnesota.”
The bill would also have required companies like Uber and Lyft to pay drivers a $5 minimum fee plus $1.45 per mile and 34 cents per minute in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. Drivers who worked in the greater Minnesota area would have been entitled to $1.25 per mile and 34 cents per minute.
Uber stated the increases would have caused the price of rides to go up by at least 50%. With that occurring, the service demand would drop by 30%. The drivers in Minnesota would have the highest price per mile payment than anywhere else in the country.
Additionally, it would have allowed drivers to be entitled to 80% of cancellation fees if they had already left to pick up a fare, as well as $1.25 per mile and 10 cents per minute if the companies charge customers for a “long pickup.”
Tiffany Whitlow Of ‘Love And Marriage Huntsville’ Is On A Mission To Combat Health Inequity
“Love and Marriage Huntsville” fans are well aware of Tiffany Whitlow and her ability to stir the pot and ruffle feathers on the hit reality show. But little know the hard work Whitlow does behind the scenes to combat health disparities impacting the Black community.
The OWN star, who recently welcomed her first child with husband Louis Whitlow, is more than just a wife and reality star. Whitlow is also the co-founder of NOWINCLUDED, the online hub and app that serves as a resource and safe space for the Black community to share, learn, and educate others on health inequity and healthcare discrepancies.
Speaking exclusively with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Whitlow got candid about how her experience as a teenage mom served as motivation to co-found the company and how she uses the platform to combat issues involving Black maternal health, and improving accessible healthcare for Black patients.
Can you please share the inspiration behind NOWINCLUDED and how you helped co-found it?
Very early in life, I was adopted into a biracial family. My birth mother gave me up for adoption because of the color of my skin. As I grew up, it was important to me to make sound healthcare decisions, but I couldn’t do that since I didn’t know much about my family’s health history. When I became a mom at 19 years old, it was no longer just about my healthcare decisions; I now had to make decisions for someone else, who was depending on me. I needed to be sure that I was making informed decisions. My son was hospitalized and diagnosed with asthma. He was given the most commonly prescribed drug Albuterol which, unfortunately, is 47% less effective in African Americans and 67% less effective in Puerto Ricans.
That’s just one example of a commonly prescribed drug that is less effective or has negative side effects, due to a person’s ethnicity, which is why our work at Acclinate — and its platform NOWINCLUDED — is so important. I serve as the Co-Founder and Chief Development Officer. Alongside my fellow co-founder Delmonize Smith, CEO, we are working to achieve health equity through inclusive research. We have a shared goal to allow all people the opportunity to make better-informed decisions about treatment options, care and have access to that care. Our company is attracting major support and has received financing and other forms of assistance from Google through its Black Founders Fund. I was also recently honored by World Woman Hour, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson, for making significant contributions to health care while serving as an advocate and role model for women. I’m doing all of this without the benefit of having advanced degrees in either science or business, but what I do have is a tremendous drive for turning real-world learning into useful innovation.
How important is it for spaces like NOWINCLUDED to exist?
For much of history, the Black community and the healthcare community have been at odds. Black voices have been silenced, gone unheard, and even trivialized and dismissed. NOWINCLUDED changes that. This platform is a resource where Black people can make their health a priority which results in a stronger, healthier community of people. More importantly, it is a platform that allows them to share their stories. Storytelling has always lived at the core of Black communities.
From childhood to adulthood to old age, stories have been the backbone of Black communities as a way of passing down and passing around education, wisdom, and even warnings. Until now, there has not been a digital space where Black community members can convene to speak openly and freely and feel empowered in real life. The history of healthcare in the Black community is one filled with mistrust, abuse, discrimination, and even shame. NOWINCLUDED provides a space to rebuild trust, combat abuse, recognize discrimination, and reverse feelings of shame.
Are you seeing a shift when it comes to improved maternal care for Black women?
On April 10th, President Biden officially proclaimed April 11th through April 17, 2023, as Black Maternal Health Week to raise awareness of the state of Black maternal health in the United States. Addressing Black maternal health has been a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration. The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations and disproportionately high rates which are 2.5-3 times higher for Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women compared to non-Hispanic whites. I recently became a new mom again after 15 years and was lucky enough to find amazing physicians who took great care of me. But statistically, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women.
We have a lot of work to do to continue to improve maternal care for Black women. I often used trusted apps like BabyCenter to provide me with week-to-week updates on my baby and apps like Wolomi, along with the maternal health community on our NOWINCLUDED platform to connect with other moms. These apps have communities of women experiencing pregnancy and motherhood in solidarity. They allow open chats to share experiences. Maternal care disparities for Black women have been a longstanding issue in many healthcare systems. These are real advancements and practical ways for us to improve maternal care for Black women.
How do you think we can continue to work toward improved medical care for the Black community?
In order to improve medical care for the Black community, we must address systemic issues that continue to contribute to health disparities. As a Black-owned company, we found that by offering services like cultural competency training, we can help reduce biases and improve the quality of care provided. This training allows healthcare providers and clinical research study teams to understand the lived experiences and unique needs of the people in the Black communities they are serving. Long-term investments in early community engagement are also important and allow leaders to not only engage in meaningful dialogue but also build trust and involve the community in decision-making processes that relate to healthcare and the policies supporting healthcare.
Through Acclinate’s NOWINCLUDED community, we are focused on educating and engaging diverse communities about clinical research and the need for people of color to participate in clinical research, to ensure drugs are being developed that are more effective for us. NOWINCLUDED’s digital platform helps black communities become better advocates for themselves, and their families, in healthcare settings. On the platform, members have access to educational resources, webinars, healthcare professionals, and a user forum to share first-hand stories and experiences with people they trust. The storytelling component is essential and drives the platform because it is a way for members to identify with people who share similar experiences, learn from the knowledge of others, and connect to the community without judgment or fear. It is also significant because it gives users an active voice where they have been ignored. It is important to recognize that these suggestions are not exhaustive, we all have to work together to overcome the historical medical injustice Black communities have experienced.
How are you balancing being a reality star, wife, and mother of two (congratulations!)?
I just returned from 6 weeks of maternity leave and am just getting adjusted to a new normal. I have two older sons David (15) Lamir (16) so adding Ace (2 months) to the mix has been a real adjustment. If you would have asked me about my plans before I gave birth to Ace I would have responded by saying, “I am not slowing down! I am not taking time off.” Ace forced me to pause and soak up every moment as a new mom. He reminded me that it is ok to not be ok, and this is still something I struggle with. My husband, Louis, has been supportive throughout this process but as the pitching coach at Alabama A&M University, he has been on the road with the team traveling and not home as much as I envisioned. Once his season ends, I will get to experience another new normal by adding him to our daily routines.
Serving as co-founder of Acclinate and the visionary of NOWINCLUDED is a full-time job. I enjoy every moment and I truly missed work during my maternity leave. It feels good to have a strong team behind something that started out as a dream on a Post-It note. I am so proud of the work our team is doing and because of that, I am able to balance all of the things on my plate. I must mention my family and tribe of friends who constantly support me and my endeavors. Reality TV comes with its own set of priorities and uncertainties but it allows me to reach people on a larger scale. I enjoy reading the stories of people who have felt unheard in the clinical trial industry and now feel seen because people are aware when they watch the show and find out what I do. I enjoy reading people’s health stories and connecting with fans through the NOWINCLUDED platform.
Transgender Youth At Risk As Texas Lawmakers Pass Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care
In Texas, the parents of transgender children have been forced to face legislation as the state has now moved forward with preventing transgender youth from receiving life-saving gender-affirming care.
Last year, Texas lawmakers proposed legislation that would ban gender-affirming care for Texans under the age of 18, including surgeries, hormone therapy, and puberty blockers. As of May 15, this legislation, called Senate Bill 14 and HB 1686, has passed, putting any physician within the state who provides this care at risk of losing their license.
This move has been met with anger, sadness, and fear among the LGBTQ+ community, their families, and the Democratic senators who sought to prevent it from being passed. Still, many Republican lawmakers have expressed their satisfaction with the decision.
“Thank you, Chairman Hughes, for your leadership and support in helping pass #SB14!,” says Texas Republican Senator Donna Campbell, who in March said that this bill is about “protecting children.”
There is about 140 anti-LGBTQ+ legislature that is under consideration in Texas this session, 10 of which Chairman Campbell has sponsored herself.
When speaking to the Texas House on May 12, Republican Senator and coauthor of the SB 14 Bill Tom Oliverson, referred to gender dysphoria as “a mental health disorder” and asserted that, with time, children experiencing gender dysphoria will come to accept their body as is.
Despite such sentiments, according to major medical associations including the American Psychological Association, gender-affirming care has long been confirmed as an important component in creating a healthy environment for transgender and gender-nonconforming youth.
While many parents have attempted to block anti-LGBTQ+ measurements in the past, in 2022, it was reported that these families were targeted by the Texas Department of Family and Protective South on a directive from Governor Greg Abbott.
With such targets, LGBTQ+ youths and adults alike have expressed fear of what’s to come and what the implications of HB 14 and HB 1686 are. Senator Oliverson has authored another bill that will permit medical providers to decline the treatment of any patient for any religious, moral, or philosophical reasons. While this bill does not explicitly address the LGBTQ+ community, it would allow them to be denied care based on their identity if passed.
These recent changes in legislation are a surprising shift from last November when Texans elected the first openly gay and Black male representatives, which many viewed as a sign of progress in the right-leaning state. Democrats Christian Manuel Hayes and Venton Jones, both of whom were sworn in this January. Hayes currently represents House District 22 of Beaumont while Jones represents House District 100 in Dallas. They joined Democratic Representative and Harris County native Jolanda Jones was the first openly gay Black candidate to be elected to the legislature after a special election in May.
The futures of many transgender youth in the state are at risk, especially Black youths given the state’s already racially disproportionate medical treatment. More parents are continuing the fight to pursue safety for their children in the face of prosecution.
Lonzo Ball’s Knee Injury Has The Bulls Contemplating Cutting Ties
The news doesn’t look promising for Chicago Bulls player Lonzo Ball.
On a recent episode of “Organizations Win Championships,” sports reporter Dan Bernstein of 670 The Score said the Bulls were doubtful that the upcoming surgery for Ball would enable him to continue his professional career, referring to private conversations about his knee issues in recent years.
In March, the NBA team announced that Ball, who has been with the franchise since 2021, would undergo a cartilage transplant on his left knee, his third surgery since joining the Bulls. Ball was ruled out for the rest of the 2022-23 season and predicted to miss most of the following season.
Bernstein said the Bulls were preparing for the loss of the shooting guard and his basketball skills.
“The other thing I heard is even though publicly there has been an expression of guarded optimism regarding a future for Lonzo Ball,” Bernstein said. “And there’s a reason why, because you’re pursuant to all kinds of union issues, why they haven’t asked for the salary exemption yet because they don’t want to send the message publicly that they’re done with him. They don’t think it’s likely that he ever plays again.”
The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Ball as the No. 2 overall pick in 2017. He was then traded to the New Orleans Pelicans in 2019, where he played for two years before a sign-and-trade deal sent him to his current team, the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 13 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in 35 games until his injury.
Lonzo is the oldest of the Ball brothers playing professional basketball. LiAngelo is in the NBA G League, and the youngest, LaMelo, plays for the Charlotte Hornets.
Communications Expert Courtney Culmer Will Help You Design Your Organization, Here’s How
As a woman-owned business in a technical space, Uplevel Communications is a key player in cultivating the marketing and communications ecosystem. The determined team of seven is helping organizations and talent fill gaps in an age where “The Great Resignation” is fleeting and the freelance market is oversaturated.
In 2022, about 50.5 million people quit their jobs, beating out the 47.8 million in 2021, according to Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey data. But “The Big Quit” emerged as early as 2021.
Since the pandemic, remote work has grown exponentially, expanding local and national market opportunities. In fact, in 2022, annual earnings by U.S. freelancers grew by $100 million, now totaling $1.3 trillion.
With such an oversaturated market, how do experienced contract workers and businesses develop mutually beneficial working relationships?
“Regardless of any constraints you’re facing, we can help you create and staff your organization in a way that will help you get done what you need to get done so that your stakeholders are satisfied,” Courtney Culmer, an HBCU grad, a veteran communications professional, and the founder of Uplevel, told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
A member of the 2022 Google Startup for Black Founders Fund class, Culmer believes every single company should invest in marketing and communications. Her own corporate background in marketing communications and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) catalyzed her to create a two-sided talent marketplace that connects companies with a more inclusive project-based talent pool of knowledgeable communications contractors.
“When we talk about that growing pool of talent, you just have to acknowledge the time we’re in now. It was a year ago, maybe, where it was the Great Resignation, and everybody’s empowered, they’re stepping away,” Culmer recalled. “We’re connecting you with opportunities, and now you can be a little bit more selective and pick the opportunities you want.”
So many variables factor into the hiring process, and Uplevel streamlines it by finding, sourcing, hiring, and working with talent. Whether you’re seeking to fill short- or long-term projects, Culmer dropped some valuable tips on how to design your organization effectively amid the evolution of the online job marketplace.
Augment your staff
Culmer, who has more than a decade of experience as an internal employee, is well aware of the challenges internal organizations face when looking to fill a gap in their teams.
The tech sector in particular has been affected by massive layoffs. A recent MarketWatch analysis showed that nearly 200,000 workers in the tech industry have lost their jobs since the start of 2023.
As a result, Culmer told BE, this record of layoffs puts people “into some type of holding pattern while they are trying to figure out what’s next.”
She continued, “At the core of it is that internal organizations are incredibly lean. They are being pushed to do more and more with less.”
How does Uplevel fill in the gaps on more of a temporary basis to help you stay afloat, keep things moving forward, and not miss a step even if you have headcount constraints?
To start, the company partnered with executive search/talent recruiting firm Mission + Cause to expand access to an extensive database of diverse talent, from full-time, long-term placements to interim freelancers and contractors needed to fill critical workforce gaps.
“What this partnership allows is a more seamless and a more fluid process. Today you have a headcount freeze, but we can give you some contractors. Then in three months, six months, 12 months, the economy shifts, and you’re ready to fill some full-time roles. We have that expertise in that space, too. So it’s a more comprehensive offering,” Culmer explained.
The power of staff augmentation transcends outsourcing strategy. Considering the future of work, it is vital to think ahead and create systems that will propel your company’s trajectory. Culmer may not think that the future of work will solely be a gig economy, but she encourages companies to find a way to leverage this labor market.
“Start thinking long-term of how this strategically benefits you from an efficiency lens, through a cost-effectiveness lens, and so on and so forth,” she advises.
“There’s still value in having people who really have skin in the game, who buy into your culture, who are able to fill a seat and understand the nuance of the company and the tone and all of those pieces to it, but that can also fit into a gig economy model as well.”
Culmer says she has always been passionate about mentoring young women in business and paving the way for the next generation of talent. To that end, she is also thinking long-term and wants to establish a mentorship program for underrepresented students who want to work in the marketing communications field.
6 Black Americans Among New Cohort Class In Saks’ Emerging Designer Accelerator
Six Black Americans have been chosen to take part in the emerging accelerator program this year offered by luxury retailer Saks Fifth Avenue.
They are among eight designers forming The New Wave at Saks, a program created in 2021 to support the next generation of design and retail talent and develop high-potential independent brands by boosting their growth both at Saks and within the greater fashion industry.
The 2023 cohort class includes designers of women’s, men’s, and kids’ fashion, footwear, and jewelry. As Saks’ mission is to amplify diverse voices and elevate representation in fashion, at least half of the program participants annually are BIPOC brands.
“Saks is committed to amplifying emerging brands and it is incredibly important to us that we use our platform to elevate independent designer businesses and BIPOC voices,” said Anna Irving, senior vice president and general merchandise manager of women’s designer ready-to-wear at Saks, according to Women’s Wear Daily. “This program is a crucial part of our goal to increase representation in our merchandise assortment and to provide emerging designers with the resources to succeed at Saks and beyond. At the same time, the program supports our mission to offer unique and inspiring fashion to our customers.”
All participants will gain the skills to scale their businesses at Saks and beyond. Each brand is eligible to win a $10,000 grant to support its business operations and growth. The designers also will receive marketing support from Saks, including content exposure on the luxury retailer’s website.
Saks’ six-month program for its Next Wavers consists of a retail boot camp, mentorship and consulting services, entrepreneurial workshops, and industry roundtables.
Mastercard is the sponsor of The New Wave at Saks for the third straight year. It was reported the company will host a roundtable session to provide participating brands an overview and access to its Digital Doors program. That effort will include exclusive resources and tools aimed to help small businesses grow and to digitally enhance their online presence.
The Black designers and their brands in this year’s New Wave at Saks program are:
Beyoncé’s Dancers Les Twins Partner With Kids Write Network to Promote Wellness Through Dance
Larry and Laurent Bourgeois, better known as Beyoncé’s dynamic dance duo Les Twins, are partnering with Kids Write Network (KWN) for an empowering initiative aimed at promoting literacy and wellness through dance and movement.
On May 26, the French dancers announced their partnership with KWN, a program whose adaptable curriculum can be implemented into any of the four art disciplines: writing, illustration, music, and now, thanks to Les Twins, body movement/dance.
As part of the partnership, Les Twins will visit schools, hospitals, and accessible community areas to show youth how they use dance and body movement to cope with mental struggles. The renowned dancers and choreographers will also share their techniques, global education, and experiences while speaking to adolescents about self-love and acceptance.
“We are humbled by the opportunity to teach kids the importance of mental health and awareness through our art,” Les Twins said in a statement.
“Partnering with KWN has been such an important platform for us as we work to inspire the next generation.”
As emerging technologies like ChatGPT take artificial intelligence to new heights, Les Twins expressed their growing concern about the advancements worsening literacy rates among youth.
“We have worked with so many children in our lives,” Les Twins told AfroTech.
“Since text messaging became popular and now with ChatGBT, literacy is lost. Less and less students want to read and write.”
On Tuesday, the Les Twins took to Instagram to share a highlight of the mental health tour they’ve launched as part of the initiative. Acknowledging a altered landscape post-pandemic, they hope to improve mindsets through dance.
“With a renewed focus on Mental Health as the world moves into a new normal post Covid,” they captioned the post.
“@officiallestwins have chosen to use their platform, success and experience with dance to reinforce positive Mental Health across the globe. #MHTour #montreal @kidswritenetwork.”
Every year around this time, millions of Americans spend Memorial Day weekend enjoying family barbecues and ball games. But Memorial Day is much more than the unofficial start to summer; it’s a day of remembrance honoring the men and women who died protecting the United States.
Throughout the United States, many sites will host events in memory of our fallen soldiers. Whitehouse.gov has compiled a list of 9 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day in Your National Parks.
Pennsylvania — Independence National Historical Parkwill host activities and presentations throughout the day. Visitors will discover what it was like to be a soldier in the American Revolutionary War.
Tennessee —Shiloh National Military Park is reflecting on the sacrifices of this nation’s military personnel by listening to living historians as they interpret wars from colonial times to today.
Washington, D.C. — The mecca of historical sites. Visit the numerous sites at the National Mall & Memorial Parks, and take some time to remember the contributions and service of American veterans both at home and abroad, especially on Memorial Day.
Pennsylvania — Flight 93 National Memorialhonors the lives of the passengers and crew members who joined together for an extraordinary act of selflessness.
Online — Through an interactive website, you can explore the Lincoln Memorial and reflections on its history.
For more ideas on places to go and things to do this Memorial Day weekend, visit whitehouse.gov.
Will Memorial Day Weekend Be A Box Office Banger For ‘Little Mermaid’ And Halle Bailey?
The Little Mermaid is expected to gross $110 million over the Memorial Day weekend, according to Deadline. The highly anticipated live-action film stars the multitalented Halle Bailey as Ariel along with a star-studded cast.
Earnings from the upcoming holiday could potentially place the maritime fairytale alongside other high-grossing films like Top Gun: Maverick, which raked in $160.5 million during it the four-day release, Deadline reported. A windfall of this amount would place Little Mermaidon the list with top-ranking Disney films such as Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End and Lion King.
The adaptation of the 1989 animated classic will feature some changes. In addition to three new songs, the lyrics of two songs from the original were changed to be “less offensive” for a modern-day audience.
The film’s director, Rob Marshall spoke to The Direct about the lyrical changes to Little Mermaid songs:
“We asked Lin-Manuel (Miranda) to make some slight adjustments to the original lyrics for “Kiss the Girl,” because it’s important to remember that the culture and sensitivities have changed over the last 34 years, and it’s vital that we are respectful to those changes,” Marshall said in a press release.
The decision to cast Bailey, who is Black, in the title role was met with controversy when it was announced. Internet bullies created the hashtag #notmyariel and demanded the actress be recast. While she admitted that she was hurt by the backlash, the songstress was not deterred. She credits her grandparents for keeping her grounded during that difficult time.
“It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ‘You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,” the 23-year-old told Variety.
Bailey’s participation as a young Black woman with luscious locs may have been the catalyst for a co-branding opportunity. Disney has collaborated with the haircare brand Carol’s Daughter to curate a line of Little Mermaid products. The limited-edition line features shampoos and conditioners designed to care for Black hair.
