In the 14th year of its Retool Your School program, The Home Depot^® awarded 36 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with more than $2 million in grants to improve their college campuses. Alabama A&M University, Coahoma Community College and Fisk University placed first in their respective competition clusters, each winning a $150,000 grant. The 2023 Retool Your School program was expanded to include an additional $2 million in needs-based grants such as Innovation Lounge renovations, internship and externship programs, scholarships and more.

The Retool Your School Awards Celebration was held on Tuesday, April 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to celebrate the participating schools and the 2023 program year. The event was hosted by actor, author, and HBCU alumnae, Rashan Ali. Andre Dickens, mayor of Atlanta, and Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of The Home Depot, delivered remarks to attendees about the importance of championing our nation’s HBCUs.

“The Home Depot’s commitment to HBCUs goes deeper than just financial support,” said Molly Battin, senior vice president and chief marketing officer. “We recognize that HBCUs are fundamental to academic success and professional development in both the communities they serve and our nation as a whole. We’re committed to preserving that incredible history and seeing that it continues to grow.”

HBCUs participating in the Campus Improvement Grant program were separated into three clusters based on student population. The top ten schools with the most votes per cluster received grants ranging from $40,000 to $150,000. As part of the new needs-based grant program, 10 schools were also awarded with Innovation Lounge funding to enhance existing spaces on campuses where students can congregate, ideate and collaborate.

Congratulations to all the winning institutions of the 2023 Retool Your School program.

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 1

1. Alabama A&M University
2. Jackson State University
3. Albany State University
4. Howard University
5. Hampton University
6. Grambling State University
7. Alabama State University
8. Southern University and A&M College
9. Winston-Salem State University
10. Norfolk State University

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 2

1. Coahoma Community College
2. South Carolina State University
3. Tuskegee University
4. Bethune-Cookman University
5. Kentucky State University
6. Benedict College
7. Savannah State University
8. University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
9. University of Maryland Eastern Shore
10. Mississippi Valley State University

Campus Improvement Grant Cluster 3

1. Fisk University
2. Tougaloo College
3. Johnson C. Smith University
4. Lane College
5. Texas College
6. Southwestern Christian College
7. Wilberforce University
8. Morris Brown College
9. Rust College
10. Saint Augustine’s University

Innovation Lounge Grant

• Bethune-Cookman University
• Florida A&M University
• Interdenominational Theological Center
• Lincoln University of Missouri
• Meharry Medical College
• Morehouse College
• Morris Brown College
• Southern University and A&M College
• Southwestern Christian College
• Voorhees College

Since 2009, through Retool Your School, The Home Depot has invested more than $9.25 million dollars to update, upgrade and uplift HBCU campuses. In 2023, the company quadrupled its Retool Your School commitment to $4 million as part of its continued dedication to celebrating the legacy and pride of HBCUs. To learn more, visit RetoolYourSchool.com.

Amber Batchelor, a veteran CEO, strategic alignment expert, and proud HBCU graduate of Saint Augustine’s University in Raleigh, North Carolina, has been named President and CEO of the historic Sumter County Chamber of Commerce in Georgia. Located just two hours away from Atlanta, Sumter County is known as the hometown of 39th United States President Jimmy Carter.

She assumed the role full-time after several months of an extensive nationwide search. “Amber brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from business, past Chambers of Commerce, and non-profit organizational and board roles. We look forward to her leadership, ideas, and energy to continue the successful 100-year legacy of the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce,” said Brandi Lunneborg, Board Chair and then CEO of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center.

Batchelor worked in Silicon Valley, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Florida supporting businesses, municipalities, and non-profits with over 17 years of engagement in the chamber industry. While enrolled at Saint Augustine’s University, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a minor in International Studies. She went on to study at the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management while serving in a Legislative staff role with the US Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.

Batchelor has served as the Founder, CEO and Managing Partner of her boutique consulting firm, Batchelor & Bradley Insights Group focusing on performance management and strategic planning for government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits. She will remain in this role while serving Sumter County. Her upcoming project, The Serenity Summer Series: A Women’s Wellness Weekend in collaboration with Miraval Resort & Spa brand is a uniquely curated experience to cater to women, rejuvenating them on their journey seeking high-level strategic progress and vital energy for transformation, revitalization, and recovery. She invites all change-makers, culture shapers, and chief disruptors to come on this journey and share their story. As women, we are only as strong as the collective of women we share our stories with; safe space storytelling is sure to ignite the experience you have been awaiting.

Batchelor & Bradley Insights Group is named, ironically, after her grandparents whose ancestors were slaves and then ultimately sharecroppers near Sumter County, Georgia. Batchelor never knew this background until she shared with her family that she was relocating to south Georgia. “I am the hope and dream of my great-grandmother, grandmother, grandfather, and mother. My connection to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners starts with them. Their drive, determination, and skillset to own their own business was a life imperative to take care of their family. It was the only way. I am motivated daily by their contributions,” said Batchelor.

Batchelor joins the Chamber of Commerce from weVENTURE Women’s Business Center at Florida Tech’s Bisk College of Business where she served as the Women’s Business Center Director, a position that functions as Principal Investigator and Chief Operating Officer serving the most historically underserved and excluded population of entrepreneurs – minorities and women. She served on the economic front line of the pandemic working with hundreds of diverse small businesses owners in rural areas and opportunity zones to survive, even thrive throughout the pandemic. She worked directly with the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) to manage and administer grants to provide business assistance and leadership development to diverse small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. When the pandemic hit, like many Americans, Batchelor and her then chamber team were impacted due to economic constraints of COVID-19 as her previous employer made the difficult decision to restructure the organization. On the same day, Batchelor was immediately recruited by Florida Tech to bring her financial management acumen and consulting expertise to help businesses.

For press inquiries, contact Carolyn Howell at carolyn@eventsusa.com/ 703-929-3707

• Leadership

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

April 13, 2023

Capital Gold Group Real Estate Announces Water Is Gold Initiative To Provide Clean Water To Impoverished African Communities in Kenya and Malawi

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Amid historic outbreaks of deadly Cholera and mudslides in Africa, Capital Gold Group Real Estate, the DMV area real estate sales and investment firm, has announced the creation of the firm’s Water Is Gold initiative. Created to inspire awareness and to help bring clean, potable water to impoverished African communities in Kenya and Malawi, Capital Gold Group has partnered with local African government officials, community leaders and charitable organizations to donate 10% of the firm’s sales commissions toward the cause throughout 2023. Malawi has experienced one of the country’s deadliest Cholera outbreaks on record, and 320 people in the region have lost their lives due to the devastating effects of month-long tropical storm Freddy.

Among those overseeing the projects in Malawi is Joseph Wirima, a director at a private school and husband of Walawi parliamentarian Madalitso Wirima.

“Most people in Malawi live in abject poverty on less than two dollars a day and cannot even afford a plastic shoe,” said Joseph Wirima. “We are dependent upon farming, but simple pond water for both humans and livestock becomes unhealthy, resulting in our current outbreak of Cholera. On top of historic storms and deadly mudslides, our local NGOs are overwhelmed. Water is like gold to our people, so Capital Gold Group’s ‘Water Is Gold’ initiative is a very welcomed development.”

Currently, six boreholes are being excavated to bring a steady supply of pristine groundwater to two Malawi districts, Lilongwe and Mzimba, with additional bore holes planned for Malawi and Kenya. These districts are responsible for accumulating sufficient financial resources to preserve and maintain functionality of the bore holes, so outside financial support is imperative.

“Growing up in Africa, I know first-hand the poverty faced by many communities,” said Michael Boateng, president and founder of Capital Gold Group. “When you see how people are suffering in other parts of our world, you know that even a small investment in their future can make an enormous difference. We just need to help. We must.”

Globally, Malawi is placed 172 out of 190 countries in terms of the Human Development Index, and it is among the ten countries with the lowest GDP per capita in the world. Average income according to the National Statistical Office is $8 USD per month, and the percentage of people living on less than $2 USD/day is 81%.

• News

by Booker Jones

April 13, 2023

Security Footages Shows Target Security Guard Punching Woman In Face Who Demanded Reparations

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A security guard at Target allegedly punched a customer who spent $1,000 and asked Target to pay her back in reparations.  

Camera footage allegedly shows Zach Cotter hitting Karen Ivery at Target in Blue Ash, Ohio. It is alleged that Ivery asked the cashier for the manager after seeing the $1,000 price tag on her groceries. Also, Ivery allegedly asked for reparations several times and said that “this is my Rosa Parks moment.” 

According to court reports obtained by The New York Post, the customer walked aggressively toward the Target manager, constantly saying to the manager she wants reparations, as well as accusing the manager of having a privileged life. 

The New York Post also reported Ivery said she wanted to see the manager “so we could have a larger conversation about how money works, and how the provision works, and how it’s been working in our community in a very wrong way.”

In the report obtained by The New York Post, the document claimed Cotter tried to quell the situation, asking Ivery to calm down. Ivery then followed Cotter to his office. Ivery attempted to block Cotter from closing his office door, before forcing her way inside his office, and Cotter punched her, causing her to hit the floor. 

“Ivery was very argumentative and confrontational about the whole incident. She was confrontational with officers on scene and didn’t want to explain her actions that evening,” according to a statement obtained by The Daily Mail. 

Documents claim that police viewed the camera footage, and concluded that Ivery was the aggressor and placed her under arrest, according to The New York Post.

The target location in Blue Ash seems to be an eventful place. In 2017, Target was evacuated after a bomb threat. However, after a thorough search, the police did not find anything suspicious. 

Ivery was sentenced to a day in jail and charged $110 for disorderly conduct, the Daily Mail reported.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will join Jimmy Fallon in Studio 6B on Wednesday, April 19 for her first appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” since 2021.

The occasion marks Mrs. Obama’s sixth guest spot on “The Tonight Show.” During prior appearances, she has participated in fan-favorite bits, including joining Jimmy for a special edition of Thank You Notes and Tonight Show Surprises where she surprised unsuspecting fans in the elevators at 30 Rock.

Mrs. Obama’s “Tonight Show” appearance comes fresh off the debut of her podcast produced by Higher Ground, “Michelle Obama: The Light Podcast,” which has featured recent guests Hoda Kotb, Tyler Perry and more. The appearance is also ahead of the Netflix special “The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey,” debuting April 25. Following the release of her second New York Times bestselling book, “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” Mrs. Obama set out on a six-city book tour in intimate venues across the U.S.

TUNE IN to “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” Wednesday, April 19 at 11:35 p.m. ET/PT on NBC to see former First Lady Michelle Obama’s appearance. 

Fearless Fund, the first venture capital fund built by women of color, for women of color, has announced a new industry-specific cohort of the Get Venture Ready (GVR) Program in partnership with JPMorgan Chase. The program is designed exclusively for Black women business owners in the Fintech or workforce development industries, with a portion being veteran or veteran spouses, providing them with the necessary training, mentorship, knowledge, and skills to gain access to capital.

“The increase we’re seeing in women of color pursuing entrepreneurship is encouraging, both in terms of the general increase of women pursuing their passions and the positive impact it can have in communities”

 

Participants in the 12-week comprehensive program will have the opportunity to pitch their business for one of three grants totaling $30,000 at the end of their cohort. The grants are part of Fearless Fund and JPMorgan Chase’s commitment to empowering women-of-color entrepreneurs and supporting the growth of their businesses.

“Our goal with the GVR program is to create a pipeline of successful, high-growth businesses founded and led by Black women in the Fintech or workforce development industries, with a portion being veteran or veteran spouses,” said Arian Simone, General Partner of Fearless Fund. “We are proud to partner with JPMorgan Chase to provide these entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and resources to build scalable, sustainable companies that will drive economic growth and break down systemic barriers that have historically prevented women-of-color entrepreneurs from accessing capital.”

The GVR program has already provided resources and training to over 1,000 women-of-color entrepreneurs over the past three years. In 2021, the Fearless Foundation launched the inaugural GVR Program, featuring an expanded curriculum, and in 2022, introduced a more comprehensive program with personalized coaching opportunities.

“The increase we’re seeing in women of color pursuing entrepreneurship is encouraging, both in terms of the general increase of women pursuing their passions and the positive impact it can have in communities,” said Byna Elliott, global head of Advancing Black Pathways at JPMorgan Chase. “We’re grateful to continue our collaboration with Fearless Fund in our shared pursuit to help women of color achieve success within their business Pursuits.”

The GVR program is now accepting applications for its upcoming Fintech and Workforce Development cohort. To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the Fearless Fund’s website at https://www.fearless.fund/jpmc.

Thomas Taylor, a World War II veteran from Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, has turned 100 years old and is now one of the oldest living African American survivors.

In a Facebook post, the staff members from Butler Street Senior Living are celebrating Thomas’ milestone, and has so far exceeded its goal to receive 100 letters of congratulations equivalent to Thomas’ 100 fruitful years.

The center said it is only right to pay tribute to Taylor for his sacrifices far from his home during World War II. And sadly, when he returned home, he had to endure the death of his wife and son.

Despite that, Taylor says he lived a fulfilling life.

“When you’re having problems don’t let them get to you, just stick them out and try to realize what you can do, if you can do something do it, if you can’t don’t try and overload yourself,” he told FOX43.

This news first appeared on blacknews.com

LaQuan Smith offered valuable advice to the next generation of fashion designers by encouraging them not to spread themselves too thin before getting their brands off the ground.

The luxury fashion designer and founder of womenswear clothing brand LaQuan Smith, LLC sat down for an in-depth panel discussion as part of SHEIN’s first-ever Design Summit. The global e-retailer of fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products is looking to onboard 500 more aspiring artists and designers to its growing SHEIN X incubator program.

The summit allowed hundreds of artists and designers to rub shoulders with industry leaders and be inspired to take their brands to the next level with SHEIN’s flagship incubator program. Since the program’s launch, 1,500 aspiring designers from the U.S. have been empowered and amplified. Now, the company is looking to onboard 500 more in the U.S. in 2023.

To help motivate aspiring artists and designers, the day-long summit featured designer-dedicated programming and networking opportunities, including a keynote panel discussion with Smith, where he shared four key pieces of advice to the next generation of fashion designers.

“I think it’s important as designers and creatives to not take on too much at once,” Smith said.

“I’m a firm believer that slow and steady wins the race; grow graciously, understand the ins and outs of what works and what doesn’t. And I think that eventually, throughout time, you know, give people a little bit at once. You can’t give ’em too much.”

When it comes to preparing for success in fashion, Smith says it’s best to figure out the identity of your target audience.

“I think it’s really important to understand where you want to be placed in fashion,” he explained. “Figure out the brand DNA.”

“Figure out what the ethos of your brand means. What does it represent? What does it mean if a woman wears your item or your piece? What is the takeaway? Where does she live? What does she smell like? How old is she? Does she have kids? What kind of car is she driving? Where is she traveling to?”

“These are all the things that I think help a designer really put into perspective who their target audience is, what they’re designing for, who they’re designing for,” he added.

The Queens, New York, native explained the importance of keeping a close circle of loved ones and confidants who help pour into you as you share your art with the world.

“You definitely need to surround yourself with people that believe in you,” Smith said. That’s number one.”

“Surround yourself with people that are excited about what you’re doing,” he continued. “Surround yourself with people that are smarter than you.”

As for how to tap into your creative flow, the womenswear designer shared his secret of traveling and visiting museums as the source of his inspiration.

“I mean, you can go take a trip. Trip is always nice,” Smith said. “Go to the museums. The Met is always beautiful. If you’re not a member at the Met, sign up. It’s always just nice just to go and just really dive deep into the history of things. Obviously, the New York Public Library is just, the library’s great.”

“I mean, I think that it’s just exposing yourself to as much as you can,” he added.

“Like I said, take a trip, watch some movies, get into it. Go back and go back in time. Pull up old references. That’s sort of how I do things.”

Actress Marsai Martin is opening up about the “debilitating pain” she experienced before having a “grapefruit-sized” ovarian cyst removed.

The 18-year-old Black-ish alum penned an op-ed for Women’s Health where she got candid about her diagnosis and decision to undergo surgery to remove the cyst. She went in depth after first sharing her “scary health experience” during an Instagram Live session in December 2022.

“I had been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst four years earlier, and finally, at 18, I decided to have a surgery to remove it and relieve the pain I was experiencing,” Martin explained.

The Little star recalled how difficult it was to find information online about ovarian cysts “or first-person accounts from people I could relate to,” she wrote.

“I was scared after receiving my diagnosis,” Martin confessed. “As a young Black woman, I wanted to hear from women who looked like me that I was going to be ok”

After learning about the increased challenges women of color face regarding their reproductive health, “I came to realize that I could be that voice for people and fill that void,” Martin shared. It’s what prompted her Instagram Live session and her recent op-ed.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Marsai Martin (@marsaimartin)

“I wanted to share my experience so that other women wouldn’t suffer in silence,” she wrote. “Before my diagnosis, I thought the crippling period pain and severe nausea I went through each month during my cycle was normal. So, I resisted going to the ER for my period pain for years.”

Martin continued. “And if I hadn’t sought out help, I probably would have continued trying to tough it out. I would have continued to go through intense, debilitating pain every month during my period.”

She recalled being just 14 when her doctor located a cyst 9.5 centimeters in diameter that they compared to the size of “a small grapefruit.” After being referred to a gynecologist who prescribed her medication to “feel better,” Martin says the “pain eventually progressed to the point where anything that went down — water, food, medication — would come back up.”

She ultimately decided to undergo surgery to have the cyst removed. But grew more worried leading up to the procedure.

“I have major anxiety, and I didn’t know how my body would react to the surgery and anesthesia,” she wrote.

After removing the cyst, Martin says her period pains “are way better,” and the slight cramps she feels can be helped with medication. She hopes to inspire other women who might be ignoring the pain to get help from a medical professional and get a second opinion if need be.

“I hope my story will encourage other women to not accept a life of pain, to get a second opinion,” she said.

“Pain is not normal. I want other women to talk about their pain, and to keep speaking out until they’re taken seriously. And to the women out there suffering silently right now: You owe it to yourself to speak up.”

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

April 12, 2023

Beware! Bug Attacks Twitter Circles Private Tweets, Exposes Systems Security Issues

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Twitter users should always think twice before tweeting, but now users should be extra cautious.

News broke earlier this week that Twitter Circles have been having major security issues, making semi-private tweets public. Mashable reports Twitter Circles were introduced last year, allowing users to restrict specific tweets to a carefully selected list of pre-approved followers.

Somehow, a bug in the feature resulted in private tweets appearing on For You feeds of users who weren’t given access to them. Certain users weren’t even following the original poster. It’s an alarming violation of privacy for anyone who trusted Twitter’s assurances. Several Twitter users warn others who use the feature, especially those who use it for nudes, to be more than careful.

I made a Twitter Circle with one person in it and posted this tweet for science. This was the result. Two people I don’t follow saw the tweet & liked it. One of those people doesn’t follow me either.

Twitter Circles aren’t private. Don’t post anything you want private in them. pic.twitter.com/p5uzlmIkuJ

— Ian Coldwater 📦💥 (@IanColdwater) April 10, 2023

Some users took the comedic approach, enjoying the chaos of the day.

Twitter Circles not being private is spinning my world upside down today. pic.twitter.com/sQj1p4qSK9

— ✨Sierra✨ (@whatupsisi) April 10, 2023

While many weren’t paying attention, some that use Twitter as their right hand immediately noticed something was wrong. Adam Moussa, a media worker from New York, told BuzzFeed he knew something was off about 25 minutes after he posted something to his Twitter Circle on April 7. He then got a notification that an unfamiliar name had liked the tweet meant for select eyes only. “I was like, wait, what?” Moussa said.

“I pull up the tweet, and I look at who’s liked it. I see there’s two people that I don’t know that follow me that are not in the Circle who saved the tweet.”

Twitter owner, Elon Musk, has been silent on the issue. As sources reached out for comment, the 51-year-old father and billionaire responded with “poop” emojis.