Tershara Matthews Joins WSP USA as Offshore Wind Policy Leader
WSP USA, a leading engineering, environment and professional services consultancy, has hired Tershara Matthews as U.S. offshore wind policy lead for Earth and Environment.
In this role, Matthews is developing a variety of offshore, energy, restoration, infrastructure and other environmental projects; promoting strong regulatory and stakeholder outreach with a business development emphasis on offshore wind and energy transition; and collaborating within the organization to support a full life cycle approach to offshore wind. She will serve as a leader for offshore wind initiatives in the Gulf Coast and support additional offshore wind efforts in other parts of the country.
With more than 14 years of regulatory experience, Matthews served as a supervisory program management specialist for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) office in New Orleans, as well as a former senior leader with the BOEM office in the Gulf of Mexico. She helped set clear and concise program objectives in these roles, including development of the agency’s first programs for the Gulf of Mexico region, and earned the Supervisor of the Year Award during her time at BOEM.
“Tershara brings a proven record of accomplishments in leading internal workflow processes while strengthening program awareness and delivering cost effective solutions,” said Sara Mochrie, WSP power market director and senior vice president. “We are eager to implement her successful practices to strengthen WSP’s overall offshore wind approach.”
Matthews is a graduate of Xavier University of Louisiana with a bachelor’s degree and the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in public health. She is based in WSP’s New Orleans office.
About WSP USA WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering, environment and professional services firms. Recognized on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter List for 2022 as a top Community-Minded Business, WSP USA brings together engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals who are dedicated to collaborate in the best interests of serving local communities. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,500 employees in 300 offices across the U.S., WSP partners with its clients to help communities prosper.
Workers at A Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant in Texas Discover Sign Vandalized With the N-Word
Hate may be on the menu at a franchise restaurant in one Texas town.
According to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, on Wednesday, a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant had a sign that was vandalized with a racist message.
The restaurant chain condemned the racist message that was seen on the sign at one of its Lubbock restaurants in Texas. They stated that they are working with local law enforcement to find out who was behind the vandalism.
The sign at the Kentucky Fried Chicken in the 1200 block of 50th Street in Lubbock was vandalized overnight on April 4, with what KFC called “an appalling message.” The sign allegedly stated, “N**gas for sale 2 cents.”
The Avalanche-Journal received a confirmation from the Lubbock police that it had a report about the incident, but the investigation is ongoing.
Workers at a KFC in central Lubbock say they came in to work Tuesday morning and saw the N-word placed on their outdoor sign.
A spokesperson for KFC calls it “an act of hate through vandalism” and says “hate has no place at any KFC”
A statement released from the company regarding the incident said:
“Hate has no place at any KFC. When the employees arrived to open the restaurant, they discovered the sign had been vandalized overnight. The team immediately removed the message by 10:45 a.m. and contacted local law enforcement.”
Local police authorities also released a statement:
“We are actively seeking surveillance footage and information and would ask for your help in encouraging any individual in the community with information to contact the Lubbock Police Department,” the statement continued. “This act of hate is felt heavily by the restaurant team and we ask for kindness and understanding as they continue to navigate the situation.”
There are currently no suspects or motives for the vandalized sign.
Meet the TikToker Who Went From Sleeping in His Truck to Starting a 7-Figure Tax Business
Today, 28-year-old Duke Alexander Moore is living many a millennial entrepreneur‘s dream: He’s successfully zeroed in on his niche and is using social media to turn a major profit.
The founder of seven-figure business Duke Tax, a membership-based tax service for creators, influencers and entrepreneurs, Moore parlays his extensive tax knowledge into content for his TikTok account @dukelovestaxes, which presents critical tax tips with an entertaining flair to its 3.4 million followers.
But the path to becoming a multi-million-dollar business owner wasn’t a straightforward one.
Despite having an entrepreneurial spirit for as long as he can remember (he sold CDs, complete with graphics and labels, in elementary school), Moore found himself at a difficult crossroads after college. “I got in trouble because I was selling things I was not supposed to be selling,” he tells Entrepreneur.
Having a record made finding employment difficult. In 2014, at 24, Moore had secured a job at a warehouse as a forklift driver, but he was deeply unhappy.
In 2018, when Moore’s boss screamed at him one day for finding a more efficient way to complete a task that wasn’t “the right way,” he broke down — and realized it was time to strike out on his own.
“At an early age, I was self-taught: taxes, bookkeeping and write-offs.”
Moore knew that he needed to “become an expert in something” if he was going to succeed. So he began to consider what he liked — and was already good at.
Moore had “enjoyed numbers” since he was a child playing with multiplication machines. He was also familiar with navigating the tax system: As a teenager, he’d modeled for the Campbell Agency, which meant he’d had to file as an independent contractor.
“That’s how I originally got involved with taxes,” Moore explains, “because at an early age, I was self-taught: taxes, bookkeeping and write-offs, just learning all that jam.”
Committed to his new venture, Moore trained with QuickBooks, the accounting software developed by Intuit, to become a pro advisor. That designation allowed him to be listed in QuickBooks’ directory and have business sent his way.
Then, when one of Moore’s first clients requested help with her taxes, he decided to get some official expertise in that area as well. In 2019, he became an enrolled agent — the highest credential the IRS awards.
But in those early days, it still wasn’t enough to make ends meet. “During that period, I experienced homelessness for a couple months,” he says. “It was very, very tough…I slept on the street two or three times, but most of the time I was either sleeping in my truck or at a friend’s house.”
“[TikTok] took me from zero to seven figures.”
Moore, who “refuses to take no for an answer,” wasn’t willing to give up on his business.
At the time, Moore, like millions of Americans, would often scroll through TikTok. And what he discovered on the app would ultimately change the trajectory of his career and life.
“I’ll never forget, I saw this one tax video [on TikTok],” Moore says. “I’m like, Okay, I’m in taxes.I can do that too.”
So he decided to give it a try. Moore started with a tax series, replicating some of what he’d seen on the app. But the content wasn’t sticking, and Moore’s confidence was low. “I was very nervous in front of the camera,” he recalls. “Very shy. It was so bad. I don’t even know how I can just pick up a camera today. It would take me almost a day to record one video.”
Then he began to take a closer look at the kind of content that was performing on the app.
“TikTok is a really entertaining and engaging app,” Moore says. “So when [someone’s] scrolling the For You page, how do you make your video fit in with everyone else’s videos? Could you imagine someone dancing or making a skit, and [then] you have someone like, ‘Hey, you need to file your taxes.’ You’d be like, Oh my God, skip. Block.”
On a mission to up his content’s entertainment factor, Moore scrolled for inspiration — and found it in the form of someone wearing a bath towel on their head. Moore followed suit, putting a towel on his own head, and continued to talk taxes.
The unconventional move was successful — incredibly so. After that point, Moore’s account ballooned, growing to three million followers in just a year and a half. “Then it took me from zero to seven figures,” he says.
“[Duke Tax’s] goal is to be your protector and have you pay the least amount of tax possible.”
As Moore continued to expand his business, it became clear that many CPA firms don’t fully understand content creator taxes. In fact, confusion often comes from both sides. Many creators don’t realize they’re running a business; they owe money and are eligible for deductions, just like any other business owner, Moore says.
Moore set out to fill the tax-service gap for creators, and today, Duke Tax focuses primarily on helping them and entrepreneurs with their taxes.
Creators are business owners, so Moore helps them behave accordingly: setting up an entity structure, like an LLC, and keeping proper books.
“This IRS thing is just a game,” Moore says. “They want to have you pay the most amount of tax possible — that’s the game. [Duke Tax’s] goal is to be your protector and have you pay the least amount of tax possible. There’s not much we can do without bookkeeping.”
Moore also stresses how important it is for creators to reinvest their earnings, as there’s no guarantee the brand deals will keep coming.
Perhaps better than most, Moore understands that no entrepreneurial endeavor comes without uncertainty and challenges, but the willingness to keep going — no matter what — is what sets apart those who find success.
“My No. 1 lesson I preach at all times is progress, not perfection,” Moore says. “There are so many times we focus on the perfection of things, which [prevents us from] actually getting the thing done. It’s repetition that makes perfection. Go out there and make mistakes. It sounds weird, but every time I make a mistake, I always learn something.”
Donald Glover Recalls Having ‘Stress Dreams’ While Writing For ’30 Rock’ After His Diversity Hire
Donald Glover is opening up about the “stress dreams” he used to have while writing on 30 Rock as a result of only being hired because of NBC’s diversity initiative at the time.
The Swarm creator appears on the cover of GQ as part of the outlet’s Global Creativity Awards issue where he opened up about his start in Hollywood in 2006 when he was hired as a writer on the Tina Fey-created sitcom while he was a 23-year-old resident assistant (RA) at New York University.
“It definitely didn’t feel like I was supposed to be there,” Glover revealed.
“I used to have stress dreams every night where I was doing cartwheels on the top of a New York skyscraper with the other writers watching me.”
The rising star was only hired as a writer for 30 Rock as part of NBC’s diversity initiative to bring in more people of color. Glover said it was known and even mentioned to him by the show’s creator.
“There is no animosity between us or anything like that, but [Tina Fey] said it herself…It was a diversity thing,” he said.
It was a role that helped introduce Glover to the industry and launched his career that would soon include standup comedy, acting, and performing music under the name Childish Gambino. Glover was actually up against Black-ish creator Kenya Barris, who later admitted the resentment he had for the Atlanta star at the time.
“I didn’t know it was between me and him until later. He hit me one day and he was like, ‘I hated you for years!'” Glover said.
He would stay on as a writer for three seasons, and Tracy Morgan credited Glover for being the reason his character Tracy Jordan was so well received.
“When I first read his writing during 30 Rock, I was like, ‘He’s got it,’ ” Morgan said of Glover. “The things he wrote for me made me very funny. He got me nominated …twice!”
Tech Giant Microsoft Joins Forces with Atlanta-based Not-For-Profit to Support Aspiring Youth Creatives
The Ann Cephus Family Fund (ACFF) and Microsoft Corporation as we officially kick off a city-wide effort to empower students in the Atlanta metro area who are pursuing careers in the Arts. Through this partnership, Microsoft will provide equipment services and software to youth over the next two years to give them the tools to explore various professions ranging from music and visual arts to production and songwriting.
This fundraiser event will support ACFF’s 3R9M (3 Roles in 9 Months) Youth Music Biz & Tech high school internship program. This job-training program is designed for at-risk high school creatives in the Atlanta metro area; and will begin efforts in Gwinnett County.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
WHERE:Microsoft, 200 17th Street Northwest, Atlanta, GA 30363
WHO: Meet the visionary behind this effort – Latabia Woodward, Founder and Executive Director, Ann Cephus Family Fund.
“I’ve witnessed the music business first-hand and understand what it takes to build a successful career while navigating business challenges and staying true to your craft. I am fortunate to share my personal insight with the next generation of artists. Thus, in memory of my mother Ann Cephus, we are guiding and empowering young people with the knowledge to strive in both their secondary education and creative careers.” – Latabia Woodward
“Technology plays a significant role in the creative industry, including making access to tools and training more available. Our support for the Ann Cephus Family Fund allows our most vulnerable youth to begin their journey in the music industry and all of its career pathways.” – Darrell Booker, Microsoft Corporation, Corporate Affairs Specialist, Nonprofit Tech Acceleration for Black and African American Communities
This special event welcomes potential funders and artists from all walks who are enthusiastic about supporting youth with a bend towards the arts. The evening will also feature live music and visual art performances from local artists, including auction items.
WHY: According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, despite gains in graduation rates, Black and other students of color continue to have a significantly lower graduation rate than their white counterparts. Ann Cephus Family Fund Corporation is committed to embracing, inspiring and motivating student creatives to finish their basic secondary education and become contributing members of our society as they become adults.
MLB Hall of Famer Frank Thomas Honored With Statue at Auburn University
Chicago White Sox legend Frank Thomas is about to be honored by his alma mater this upcoming weekend.
Less than a year ago, Auburn University announced that the MLB Hall of Famer would be honored with a statue at school’s Plainsman Park on April 8.
Auburn, with a record of 18-10-1, 3-6 in conference play will be hosting Texas A&M (18-11, 3-6 SEC).
Thomas’ legendary career started before he made the pros when he played his collegiate career with Auburn University. He arrived at the university as a two-time state baseball champion at Columbus High School in Georgia.
“I am extremely humbled and thrilled to be honored with a statue at Auburn University where it all began,” Thomas said. “Thank you to Allen Greene, head coach Butch Thompson, the Athletic Department, and the Board of Trustees for placing me among a few Auburn elites. Thank you for selecting me as Auburn’s first baseball player to receive this special recognition.”
As a native of Columbus, GA, Thomas played at first base for Auburn from 1987-89, while also playing on the football team as a tight end. Following his stellar collegiate career and amazing time in the pros, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014. With his enshrinement, he became the first and only Southeastern Conference baseball player to be inducted in Cooperstown.
“I’m so proud and so honored. I’m so happy this has happened,” he said. “But I’m also proud and honored of all the players who helped me get there. I didn’t do it on my own.
“I had great teammates who got on base for me to drive them in. I had good coaching in Hal Baird, Steve Renfroe, and Ed Thayer. Those guys really helped me through some tough times. I want to give everybody their praise. I didn’t get there alone. They all worked with me, and I respect all of them.”
Stars of the Disney+ Original Series “The Crossover” Celebrate With an Orange Carpet Premiere in Hollywood
Last night, the stars and creative team of the upcoming Disney+ Original series “The Crossover” celebrated the series premiere with an orange carpet at the historic Hollywood Athletic Club in Los Angeles. “The Crossover,” based off the best-selling novel by Kwame Alexander, from Disney Branded Television and produced by 20th Television, debuts April 5 with all episodes on Disney+.
Series stars Jalyn Hall, Amir O’Neil, Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Deja Monique, Trevor Bush, and Skyla I’Lece walked the orange carpet, along with co-showrunners and executive producers Kwame Alexander, Damani Johnson, and Kimberly A. Harrison.
In addition to Alexander, Johnson and Harrison, The SpringHill Company’s LeBron James, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson and Lezlie Wills serve as executive producers alongside George Tillman Jr., Bob Teitel, Robert Prinz and Jay Marcus of State Street Pictures, and Daveed Diggs, Todd Harthan and Erin O’Malley.
About “The Crossover”
The Crossover, based on the bestselling novel by Kwame Alexander, follows twin middle school basketball phenoms Jordan “J.B” and Josh “Filthy” Bell as they struggle with growing up, growing apart, and finding themselves — on and off the court.
Filthy is a laser-focused athlete, determined to be the next Lebron James. His brother and best friend, J.B., has always dutifully followed along with the plan. But when new girl Alexis comes to town and J.B.’s interest in basketball starts to wane, tension starts to brew between the brothers — threatening to break their lifelong bond.
Of course, juggling school, friends, romance, and basketball isn’t easy when their mom, the academically gifted Dr. Crystal Bell, is the principal, and their former NBA player dad, Chuck, is the team coach. They only want what’s best for the boys, and Chuck’s “basketball rules for life” have guided them since they were young. But when Chuck’s health starts to decline, the family’s foundation starts to crumble — forcing everyone to step up, be selfless, and find faith in each other.
With help from their wise-cracking and loyal friends Maya and Vondie, plus guidance and wisdom from parent and teachers, Filthy and J.B. learn that in the game of life, basketball might not be everything…but family is always a net tied together.
North Carolina’s First Black-Owned Children’s Bookstore Set To Open Its Doors For The First Time
A Black-owned staple is planting roots.
Liberation Station Bookstore will be opening its physical doors for the first time in the historic heart of downtown Raleigh, NC this year, WRAL reported. After years of pop-up events, motivated founders and husband and wife duo Victoria Scott-Miller and Duane Miller now have a home to continue upholding a legacy of literacy and liberation within the community and the African Diaspora.
“This will be #NorthCarolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore, and we’re elated to be rooted in the heart of downtown Raleigh, the #OakCity,” as proclaimed by Liberation Station.
“I feel so incredibly blessed,” Scott-Miller, a literacy advocate, author, business owner, and mother of two, told the news outlet. “It makes me feel so full because I never envisioned getting a brick-and-mortar.”
She added, “We were the first Black-owned bookstore we ever set foot in,” she said. “To know that we have carved out a space in the universe for our children to feel safe and to be able to be curious, to be joyful…it’s overwhelming to think about.”
From the Duke Gardens and Durham Hotel to the North Carolina Museum of Art, Liberation Station has been on the move with a mission since 2019. Now, they’re using funds raised through their crowdsourcing efforts, including a partnership with The Bulls of Durham, to help them to upfit the 364 sq. ft. store at 208 Fayetteville St.
“This vision was simple. Provide a space for Black children to see themselves in literature,” Scott-Miller explained in a social media post.
“That vision began out of the trunk of our car and then migrated to pops-up all around the triangle, then to our permanently housed narratives inside of the Durham Hotel and Duke Gardens. But we soon realized that we didn’t need a lot of space to make a big impact and then Liberation was born.”
The Millers are anticipating a grand opening on June 19, Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people. In addition, the bookstore will be offering high-quality children’s books written and illustrated by none other than Black and underrepresented authors and illustrators.
The store will be divided into carefully thought-out sections, featuring works about the voyage of the Transatlantic Map, the exploration of Black childhood, banned stories written by the likes of James Baldwin and Toni Morrison, and more.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Funds Full-Page Ad Condemning Italy’s ‘Heinous’ Racism In Soccer
Jay-Z is not here for the blatant racism Italian soccer fans recently displayed. So he dipped into his billion-dollar bag to put out a full-page ad decrying the “hateful” behavior.
The ad came after Milan’s Romelu Lukaku, a client repped by Jay’s Roc Nation Sports, was taunted with monkey sounds while playing against Juventus F.C. on Tuesday, TMZreports. A video clip shared online showed rowdy fans making racist noises from the crowd.
Racist chants were made against Romelu Lukaku by certain Juventus fans.
In response, Roc Nation had a full-page ad placed inside Italy’s sports newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Dear Italy, Do better. Want better. Be better,” the letter reads.
“In professional [soccer], Black players have been subjected to hatred during professional [soccer] games. The hatred has displayed itself in the form of monkey chants, racial slurs and banana peels tossed at the best players in the world, as the world watches, as the children watch, as the players’ families watch.”
“No one has faced any consequences for this heinous behavior. Nothing has changed. No action has been taken,” it continued.
— Roc Nation Sports International (@RocNationSI) April 6, 2023
The open letter addresses the lack of action taken against the attendees and criticism of Black players on the receiving end of the racist taunts.
“In fact, the only person that could be held accountable is a player, if they react to this disgusting behavior during a game,” it stated.
“Enough is enough. Hatred equals racism equals ignorance.”
“In a game that unites people all over the world as fans, we should only witness the best of humanity. There is no circumstances where racism is tolerated,” the letter said. “Italy is better than this. We are all better than this.”
It concluded by calling on the entire sports world to come together and denounce racism.
“We call on the worldwide community of sports – players, team owners, artists, brands and all fans – to denounce this racist behavior and hold bigots accountable to a human standard. One which upholds decency, respect and compassion and others,” Roc Nation stated.
“The first team is the human team. Let’s work together to cut racism out of the game. For good.”
Marques Houston Accused of ‘Grooming’ His Wife Who’s 20 Years Younger Than Him
Singer Marques Houston is under fire on social media after explaining why he decided to marry his wife when she was 19 and he was 39.
The “Naked” singer appeared on an episode of TVOne’s Uncensored where he opened up about his marriage to Miya Dickey. The couple tied the knot in 2020 and have received constant criticism over their 20-year age gap.
In a promotional clip ahead of the episode’s release, the former Immature singer explained how “different” his relationship is with his wife, whom he met when she was just 17, but claimed to have not formed a “connection” until she turned 18.
“Me and my wife’s situation is a little different. How we met through mutual friends and everything like that,” Houston explained. “When I met my wife, she was 17. So, no [real] conversation…no [real] connection until…you know…she was of age.”
He went on to address the backlash he received for marrying someone so much younger.
“People don’t understand it and I got a lot of backlash for marrying someone that was 19,” he admitted before explaining what drew him to the teen.
“When we did finally start to talk I was like, ‘This woman is like me’ and when I would talk to her she’d just…For one…we had a spiritual connection and I feel like that’s the most important thing. We both love God. We both love Jehovah and that was key,” he said.
“Being able to start being around her and talking to her we connected through music,” Houston added. “Her spirit, her kindness, her heart reminds me a lot of my mom. You know we connected on so many different levels.”
But after the clip made its rounds on social media, the bashing only continued. Many criticized Houston for seemingly trying to reference God and his mom as a way to justify marrying a teenager.
“Anytime a ni**a get caught being weird they bring up god an spirituality,” one Twitter user quipped.
“So let me this straight… god is the reason why you like messing with teenagers???” they added.
“How she like you and she was 17??? WTF that mean??” one person asked.
One person highlighted four takeaways they got from Houston’s reveal.
“1. You’re 41 & you have mutual friends with someone who’s 17? 2. In just 2 years she became a “woman” you connected with? 3. You waited until legal age to be ‘around her?’ Where were you the whole time? 4. A 19 year old GIRL reminded you of your mother and that was attractive?” they wrote.
“they not ready for the child groomer conversation,” one person wrote in response. “it’s a lot of em out here at large today not just MH.”
Meanwhile, Houston and Dickey are still going strong. They welcomed their daughter in December 2021 and his wife enjoys sharing highlights of their family on social media.
