• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 16, 2023

African Developer Creates New Software So Africans Can Use Bitcoin Without Internet Access

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Citizens in Africa are using new and exciting ways to get paid without having internet access.

Thanks to South African software developer Kgothatso Ngako, Forbes reported, the people of Africa can make bitcoin peer-to-peer transactions with Machankura, the new solution that makes Bitcoin access easy even if they’re not online.

In tech terms, it provides access to the Lightning Network through an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data interface, utilizing mobile phones’ Subscriber Identity Module telecommunication network.

Machankura is a hit. It’s being used by approximately 3,000 users in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda and Namibia. Program director at the educational initiative Qala Africa, Femi Longe, said Africans really need to reconsider traditional currency.

“Africans need to think about bitcoin in their context and how it could be used to solve the problems that they face,” Longe said.

A demo on YouTube shows exactly how it works.

Machankura is a great start but there is more work to be done in this space–tural and underdeveloped areas still need ways to gain access—but it offers a business advantage for researchers looking to reach the 2.9 billion people that lack reliable internet access, according to the International Telecommunications Union.

Cryptocurrency brings a financial gain to Africa because of their minimum transaction fees and high security—a “means of storing wealth and a means of obtaining credit Incentives to save and invest,” according to Pulse Ghana. It also helps reduce the cost of international money transfers, which makes it easier for Africans living abroad to send money home to their families and vice versa.

Though it’s in the early stages, Machankura hosts a Lightning-friendly bitcoin wallet offering, allowing users to send to a wallet, giving a user name or phone number. They can also choose to send to any other Lightning wallet using a Lightning address. If approved, the user will receive a screen message explaining the successful payment and showing the Lightning address that received the funds.

Introducing CurlyCoilyTresses®, a new hair care line developed by Angela Fields, a woman who was inspired to research and create her own products after a painful chemical burn caused by her hair stylist’s chemical relaxer.

This news first appeared on blacknews.com

The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation has awarded the Erasmus Prize 2023 to the South African comedian Trevor Noah (b. 1984). He receives the prize for his inspired contribution to the theme ‘In Praise of Folly,’ named after Erasmus’s most famous book, which is filled with humour, social criticism and political satire. With his sharp-minded, mocking yet inclusive political comedy, Noah, in the eyes of the jury, upholds the ‘Erasmian Spirit.’

Trevor Noah is a South African comedian of international stature. As a humourist, television presenter, political commentator, philanthropist and author, he has staked his claim in the world of contemporary political satire. In his autobiography ‘Born a Crime’, Noah describes how, as a child with a black Xhosa mother and a white Swiss father during the Apartheid era, he was confronted early on in his life with institutionalized racism and violence. Instead of reacting to injustice with cynicism, Noah exposes its absurdities, and combats these struggles with the liberating power of laughter.

Noah made his breakthrough with his stand-up comedy at a young age. His solo shows, among them The Daywalker(2009), Crazy Normal (2011), That’s Racist (2012) and It’s My Culture (2013), quickly became hugely popular in South Africa and beyond. After his early success, he proved himself to be an inspiration to budding talents and a curator of comedy shows in Africa. The emergence of a new generation of socially committed Black comedians in South Africawho explore racism and the legacy of colonialism was soon labelled the ‘Trevor Noah effect’.

Since 2011 Noah has been living in the United States, where his talent for challenging the establishment didn’t go unnoticed. From 2015 on, he spent seven years presenting The Daily Show, the most popular satirical television programme in the world. Noah’s time at The Daily Show coincided with the rise of fake news, the presidency of Donald Trump, the Covid-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter after the murder of George Floyd. With his astute reflections on such issues, he garnered a young, diverse and global audience and, in the process, infused a highly polarized media landscape with a breath of fresh air. Only once before in its 65-year history has a humourist won the Erasmus Prize: Charlie Chaplin received the award from His Highness Prince Bernhard in 1965. The quote “The function of comedy is to sharpen our sensitivity to the perversions of justice within the society in which we live,” is famously attributed to Chaplin, and that observation applies equally to Noah and his work.

The Erasmus Prize is awarded annually to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts. His Majesty the King is Patron of the Foundation. The Erasmus Prize consists of a prize of €150,000. The prize will be presented in the autumn of 2023.

SOURCE The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 16, 2023

Group Black Submits $400 Million Bid For Vice Media

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Black founders are determined to own media conglomerates.

Group Black, co-founded by Black entrepreneurs Travis Montaque, Richelieu Dennis and Bonin Bougha, has put in a $400 million bid to purchase Vice Media, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Started in 2021, Group Black started to invest and grow Black-owned media firms. If this deal goes through, it would put Vice Media on solid ground after years of turmoil. The company’s valuation has plummeted from $5.7 billion.

Vice initially sought out a sale of $1.5 billion, which would pay the millions owed to vendors, according to WSJ. Adding to the stress, according to Adweek, was the abrupt resignation last month of CEO Nancy Dubai.

New CEOs Bruce Dixon and Hozefa Lokhandwala hope to focus on specific concepts like business fundamentals, efficiencies, and operational focus to get the company back on track. “Vice is a household name, and we have to leverage off the back of that,” Dixon said.

Group Black isn’t the only company with their eyes on Vice. Greek broadcaster Antenna Group also looked into acquiring the company, but nothing came out of it. This leaves the space open for Group Black and other Black media moguls to take over.

Vice is not the only media property up for grabs.

According to reports, after Tyler Perry and Byron Allen put in a bid for BET, Bad Boy Records founder Sean “Diddy” Combs, wanted in too. One source revealed to Variety that Diddy is “exploring the opportunity to purchase BET as a part of his strategy to build a Black-owned global media powerhouse.” The Harlem-born hip-hop icon feels BET should return to being a Black-owned brand. “He truly believes that is “better for the business, for the culture, and for building wealth in the Black community,” the source.

The interesting thing about this bid is Paramount, which owns BET, has not officially announced that the network is for sale.

• Technology

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

March 16, 2023

TikTok Says US Threatens Ban if Chinese Owners Don’t Sell Stakes

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The Biden administration has demanded thatTikTok‘s Chinese owners divest their stakes in the popular video app or face a possible U.S. ban, the company told Reuters on Wednesday.

Sebastian Telfair, the high school basketball star who never fulfilled his potential during his nomadic NBA career, pleaded guilty Wednesday to his role in submitting false claims in an effort to defraud the NBA Players’ Health and Welfare Benefit Plan.

According to Bloomberg, Telfair is one of several NBA players who intended to defraud the league’s health care plan.

The 37-year-old former New York City high school standout played for a number of NBA teams during his career. Telfair is the latest former player to be convicted for providing false invoices in order to receive kickbacks from others involved in the scheme.

He was one of 18 former NBA players charged in the scheme. The other players involved in the scam were Milt Palacio, Antoine Wright, Charles Watson, Darius Miles, Ruben Patterson, Eddie Robinson, Gregory Smith, Glen Davis, Jamario Moon, Terrence Williams, Alan Anderson, Tony Allen, Shannon Brown, William Bynum, Melvin Ely, Christopher Douglas-Roberts, and Tony Wroten.

Williams, the alleged leader of the plot, pleaded guilty last August. He admitted to recruiting other people and supplying them with fake invoices that were provided by a California dentist, a doctor in Washington state, and several non-medical professionals in exchange for kickbacks.

While in court on Wednesday, Telfair said he participated in the plan because he needed the money to pay for a divorce and for attorneys who were hired for a previous criminal case. Telfair was previously given a 3 1/2 year prison sentence for possession of a weapon after police discovered weapons in a truck during a traffic stop in June. A New York appeals court upheld his sentence last October.

“I needed the money for my legal fees,” Telfair told US District Judge Valerie Caproni at his plea hearing Wednesday. “I was accused of a crime I didn’t commit. I was fighting for my life. I am still fighting for my life.”

Telfair, the cousin of another former NBA player, Stephon Marbury, faces up to 20 years in prison. He’ll be sentenced August 1.

A key to living authentically is protecting your peace.

Zaya Wade, daughter of former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, recently got candid about being a role model for other transgender youth in her first magazine cover shoot for the Spring 2023 Issue of Dazed.

 

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A post shared by Dazed (@dazed)

“I’m a microphone. I am my own person, and I have my own experiences, but for me as a role model, I try to use my personal experience to broadcast the positives and also the negatives in life because a lot of LGBTQ+ youth go unrecognized in every way,” Wade, 15, said.

Wade’s stepmother, Gabrielle Union, an actress, beauty icon, and activist, has played a major role in the young teen’s views on beauty and self-love.

“It’s about being you and expressing yourself the way you want to.” Wade shared a piece of advice from her stepmother. “She tries to teach me that beauty standards are arbitrary and that they don’t mean anything. They don’t matter anymore; what people thought was the standard is not. And just that being myself is the best technique out there.”

Wade shared the magic sensation she felt, laying down her first wig, an impactful and emotional moment as she could finally see herself how she wanted to.

“I think I am here to share those experiences: to voice them, but also to enhance them. So the world can know, ‘We are here, we are queer, we are here to stay, and we aren’t going anywhere,’” she added.

Wade came out as transgender in 2020, and her father, Dwyane, shared his daughter’s announcement during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 16, 2023

7 Virginia Deputies Charged With 2nd-Degree Murder of Black Man ‘Smothered’ In Custody

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Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill said in court Wednesday that Otieno was in handcuffs and leg irons and kept on the ground for 12 minutes by the seven deputies transporting him.

“They smothered him to death,” she said. “He died of asphyxia due to being smothered.”

The incident was captured on surveillance video that she described as “extremely clear, extremely alarming.” The 12-minute video reveals the “deliberate and cruel treatment” Otieno received from the deputies.

Those seven deputies, Randy Joseph Boyer, 57; Dwayne Alan Bramble, 37; Jermaine Lavar Branch, 45; Bradley Thomas Disse, 43; Tabitha Renee Levere, 50; Brandon Edwards Rodgers, 48; and Kaiyell Dajour Sanders, 30, turned themselves in Tuesday.

They were placed on administrative leave as the investigations by their agency and state police continue, according to a statement by county Sheriff Alisa Gregory.

“The events of March 6, at their core, represent a tragedy because Mr. Otieno’s life was lost,” Gregory said. “This loss is felt by not only those close to him but our entire community.”

An attorney for the family of Otieno, Mark Krudys released a statement describing the “brutal nature” and “inhumane treatment” by the police officers.

“The family is grief-stricken after learning of the brutal nature of Irvo’s death and his inhumane treatment in the hours preceding his death,” he said. “The public, and experienced mental health professionals alike, will be deeply disturbed when the facts of this case are fully made known.”

The Henrico Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 4 released a statement defending the actions of those seven deputies on its Facebook page.

“Today, seven Henrico County Sheriff’s Deputies were charged with murder in relation to the death of inmate Irvo Otieno. The death of Mr. Otierno was tragic, and we express our condolences to his family. We also stand behind the seven accused deputies now charged with murder by the Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Baskervill.“

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

March 16, 2023

Florida Bill Attacks DEI Programs, Puts Black Fraternities and Sororities At Risk

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A bill in Florida has its eyes set on Black fraternities and sororities.

The Hill reports that HB 999 would ban any program promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion at the college level throughout the state. Language in the bill claims colleges will lose financial support for “any program or campus activities that espouse diversity, equity, or inclusion or Critical Race Theory rhetoric.”

The bill was passed by the Florida House earlier this week and the state Senate debated the proposed legislation on Wednesday.

Organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Omega Psi Phi are concerned that chapters may disappear due to this bill. State representatives who are Greek letter members, like Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-FL.), who called the bill “vague” on Instagram Live.

“HBCUs or other institutions period who have Black fraternities and sororities on their campuses can practically say we will no longer be supporting you on our campuses based off of this law,” she said. 

As news circulated about the bill, it went viral on Twitter with a list of everything that could be affected.

what the hell??? pic.twitter.com/1P1VTGSdCU

— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) March 14, 2023

The legislation was introduced Rep. Alex Andrade (R-FL) who follows the conservative agenda led by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, that limits discussions on race, gender identity and sexuality in schools.

However, some leaders say Andrade didn’t think this through.

Rep. Yvonne Hinson (D-FL) claims cutting funding for these “activities” will affect the faculty as well, meaning there is another problem to face. “Frankly faculty that is paid by the university may not be able to be faculty advisers to these groups. They won’t be,” Hinson said, according to WPTV. “Even if they will, this is going to intimidate them and create a chilling effect.”

Andrade attempted to ease the concerns of Hinson, a Greek letter organization member, that Black fraternities and sororities won’t be affected, saying “those student groups can continue to operate how they see fit currently” and will be subjected only to the policies and procedures that are content “neutral.” Jones said members should watch their backs.

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 16, 2023

Zeta Phi Beta Member Makes History as the First Black President of the Graphic Artists Guild

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Yanique DaCosta, a Jamaican-born graphic designer and advocate for diversity and inclusivity in design, has made history as the first Black President of the Graphic Artists Guild and Vice President of the International Council of Design (ICoD).

DaCosta has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. since 2009, when she joined at Florida Atlantic University. She has been advocating for diversity in design long before joining the Graphic Artists Guild leadership in 2014. Her leadership and commitment to promoting diversity and inclusivity in design have earned her a reputation as a respected leader in the industry.

As the President of the Graphic Artists Guild, a professional organization that represents and advocates for graphic artists, illustrators, and designers in the United States, DaCosta is the first Black president in the Guild’s history. She has been on a mission to improve diversity in its leadership and membership and has made significant strides in achieving this goal.

In addition to her work with the Guild, DaCosta is also the Vice President of the International Council of Design (ICoD), an international non-governmental organization headquartered in Montreal, Canada. ICoD is the world’s largest representative of professional designer entities and has been advocating for the value of design and improving the situation of individual designers worldwide since its inception in 1963.

DaCosta’s commitment to promoting diversity and advocating for the rights of graphic artists, illustrators, and designers has made her a trailblazer in the industry. She is also the owner and Creative Director of YKMD, a reliable outsourced graphic design services company that provides a Monthly Graphic Design Subscription Service for Corporate Event Marketers & Trade Event Planners.

DaCosta’s achievements as the first Black President of the Graphic Artists Guild and Vice President of the International Council of Design have broken barriers and opened doors for underrepresented groups in the design industry. Her leadership and dedication to promoting diversity and inclusivity in design continue to inspire and empower designers worldwide.

To learn more about the YKMD, the Graphic Artists Guild, the International Council of Design or Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and what these organizations have in the works, please visit their websites listed below.

Website:

YKMD – https://theykmd.com/

Graphic Artists Guild – https://graphicartistsguild.org/

International Council of Design – https://www.theicod.org/

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. – https://zphib1920.org/