• Education

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 3, 2023

New National Survey Reveals Parents’ Mindsets in the 2022-2023 School Year

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National PTA today released the results of a national survey exploring parents’ mindsets in the 2022-2023 school year. The survey, which included 1,400 parents and guardians with children in grades K-12 in public schools, focused on the topics of pandemic recovery, parents’ concerns for their children, mental health supports, curriculum content and dis-/mis-information. It was conducted Nov. 29-Dec. 15, 2022, by Edge Research. This is the fourth in a series of surveys commissioned by National PTA and supported by the CDC Foundation, including one reported in September 2021, one reported in January 2022, and one reported in June 2022.

Key findings of the latest survey show:

• Parents’ comfort level with in-person schooling continues to improve. However, this comfort remains uneven across key subgroups, especially among parents of color.
• Parents’ concerns remain relatively consistent year-over-year, with the exception of school violence. This is the only concern that garnered a statistically significant increase since the last wave of the survey, fielded in April/May 2022.
• Parents value and emphasize mental health supports for students and most support schools conducting mental health evaluations of students to support their well-being. Parents want more information gathered and shared with them so they can be part of the solution supporting their child’s mental health.
• The data also reveal that parents have difficulty finding existing mental health supports in schools. Less than four-in-10 parents are very confident they know whom to ask at school if their child needs mental health supports, and a majority believe mental health supports offered by their child’s school have remained unchanged or decreased compared to before the pandemic.

“As underscored by the survey findings, it remains critical for all of us to work together to promote learning environments where students feel safe and to ensure that children and their families have access to comprehensive supports,” said Anna King, president of National PTA. “At PTA, we remain committed to bringing together families, schools and communities; bringing knowledge, tools and resources into the lives of families; and advocating to make sure they are safe, have what they need, help them navigate challenges and thrive.”

In the survey, 82% of parents reported they feel comfortable having their child at school in-person, 65% of parents said their school has done an ‘excellent’ or ‘very good’ job managing pandemic-related challenges, and 76% of parents said they feel their school is prepared to keep children safe in the event of a future pandemic. As parents’ comfort level around the COVID-19 pandemic continues to improve, their worries are re-focusing on pre-pandemic concerns. Fifty-three percent of parents reported they worry about their child experiencing violence at school; 51% of parents reported they worry about their child being bullied at school; and 51% of parents reported they worry about their child struggling socially, emotionally or mentally. Parents’ concern about their child experiencing violence at school has increased since last school year. And across all concerns, Hispanic parents are significantly more worried than Black and White parents.

“Though parents are increasingly comfortable with their children being in school, strong parental support for school-based mental health services indicates the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt,” said Judy Monroe, MD, president and CEO of the CDC Foundation. “This survey provides critical parental perspectives that can inform future public health initiatives around youth mental health.”

Most parents surveyed (88%) indicated they support schools providing resources and services to support their child and other students’ emotional and mental health. Few parents (37%), however, reported feeling very confident they would know who to ask or how to find resources through their school to support their child’s mental health. And only 31% of parents indicated their child’s school now offers more programs or resources for students’ mental health than before the pandemic. Sixty-six percent of parents who indicated they are not aware of their schools doing mental health evaluations reported they would want their child evaluated if such a program existed, and 60% of parents surveyed also reported they would want to be informed of how their child is doing emotionally/mentally if their school did conduct evaluations. When asked what resources schools should offer for students and families if evaluations show that they could use additional support for their emotional or mental health, some key resources parents mentioned included in-school counselors or psychologists, referrals to external providers, interventions being integrated in the school day and efforts to keep parents informed and involved.

“Schools are on the frontlines of the mental health crisis among young people. These data highlight the importance of schools being safe sources of support amidst this crisis. They also highlight how invested parents are in partnering with schools to make sure that their children have the knowledge, skills and resources they need to thrive,” said Dr. Kathleen Ethier, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health.

Sixty-nine percent of parents surveyed said it is important for their child’s school to have programs or policies to address or provide social and emotional learning. Seventy-six percent of parents surveyed said it is important for their child’s school to teach social skills like respect, cooperation, perseverance and empathy, and 75% of parents surveyed said it is important for their child’s school to have programs or policies to make sure all students feel seen, heard and included. Parents also support teaching content on race in schools, and most parents believe these topics should be introduced by the fifth grade.

“Making sure the voices and perspectives of parents are heard is a top priority for us at PTA,” said Nathan R. Monell, CAE, National PTA executive director. “Our latest survey and all the surveys we have commissioned in our series have been an important opportunity for us to hear from and elevate parents’ views on topics important to children’s education, health, safety and well-being. And this is important to our efforts to support all children and families and make a difference for the lives and futures of every child.”

Modern maternity clinic Oula, in partnership with Glamour, convened leaders from across the fields of healthcare, advocacy, media, and business for a conversation about the dire state of U.S. maternity care, and the need for a new approach that will deliver better health outcomes as well as an excellent patient experience.

Wednesday’s gathering, held at New York City’s Freehand Hotel, opened with a panel discussion moderated by public health expert and early Oula investor Chelsea Clinton. As part of the panel, Olympian Allyson Felix described how her personal experience turned her into a lifelong advocate for Black maternal health and Glamour Executive Editor Natasha Pearlman addressed the title’s continued commitment to covering issues like maternity care and paid family leave with the urgency and rigor they deserve. Oula co-founder and COO Elaine Purcell also took part in the discussion alongside Oula Lead Midwife Saonjie Hamilton, underscoring the need to expand access to midwife-led models of care. Attendees also heard from Glamour Americas Editorial Director Samantha Barry, Oula CEO and co-founder Adrianne Nickerson, Chief Experience Officer Joanne Schneider DeMeireles, and Medical Director Dr. Ila Dayananda.

Those in attendance included American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer and author Misty Copeland, journalist Gayle King, Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson, Moms First and Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani, Paid Leave for All founding director Dawn Huckelbridge, author and activist Hannah Bronfman, and former patient Peloton instructor Becs Gentry.

Oula, recently named in the healthcare category of Fast Company’s 2023 Most Innovative Companies list, was founded in 2020 and has since been making the case for a data-backed model of collaborative care, which combines midwives and obstetricians, as a mainstream solution to the tragic outcomes, horrific experiences, and high costs that define maternity care in the United States.

At present, the U.S.’s maternal mortality, NICU, and cesarean rates are the highest in the developed world. A woman today is 50 percent more likely than her own mother to die in pregnancy or childbirth, and those numbers are even higher for Black women. Compared to women in other high-income countries, women in the U.S. report the least positive experiences in healthcare, and have the highest rate of emotional distress among developed nations.

Research consistently shows that midwives are one of the most effective interventions to  improve health outcomes. However, the U.S. has been slow to embrace this finding, with only 4 midwives per 1,000 births compared to many European countries, which have 5 to 10 times as many.

“When it comes to maternity care, our country has a lot of room for improvement, and that’s putting it mildly,” said Chelsea Clinton, public health advocate, Metrodora co-founder and Oula investor. “Midwives and collaborative care are an integral part of improving maternal health, and I’m honored to be a part of this conversation today. Change-makers like Allyson Felix and innovators like Oula are leading the way to show what’s possible when people have the support and care they deserve at every step of their pregnancy journey.”

“When we first opened Oula, we wondered whether people would really be willing to deliver their babies with a startup. More than 600 births later, the answer has been a resounding ‘Yes!’,” said Adrianne Nickerson, co-founder and CEO of Oula. “Today’s gathering affirms what we hear from our patients every day: People are seeking out a fundamentally different approach to pregnancy care. This work is bigger than any one person or one company, and we’re enormously grateful to everyone who joined us to talk about the future of maternity care.”

“For more than 80 years, Glamour has been fighting for women,” said Samantha Barry, Glamour Americas Editorial Director. “It’s appalling how little has changed for maternity care in this country during that time. The idea that everyone deserves to be safe, supported, and cared for from their first pregnancy test through early parenthood and beyond shouldn’t be a radical idea, and we’re proud to support Oula’s work and use our platform to help advocate for the change we so desperately need.”

“Birth should be a beautiful thing,” said Allyson Felix, Olympian and co-founder of Saysh, and mom. “Instead, for too many women, especially Black women, it’s terrifying and traumatic. It’s past time for that to change. It’s encouraging to spend an afternoon in the company of people who are committed not only to bringing attention to what’s broken in maternity care, but working together to fix it.”

Oula takes all major insurances, including Medicaid, which one in five Oula patients rely on.  54 percent of patients identify as non-white or Hispanic, and one in 10 patients are LGBTQ+. Oula is located at 109 Montague Street in Brooklyn and 202 Spring Street in Manhattan. To learn more about Oula, or to book an appointment, please visit www.oulahealth.com.

• Health and Wellness

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 3, 2023

Janssen Launches Health Equity Campaign in Partnership with Award-Winning Radio Host D.L. Hughley to Raise Awareness About Multiple Myeloma Among Black Communities

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The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced today the launch of That’s My Word™ to raise awareness of and help to drive better health outcomes for multiple myeloma among at-risk populations. A national campaign bringing together trusted voices among Black communities, including those at risk of multiple myeloma, care partners, healthcare professionals, advocacy groups and award-winning radio host and comedian D.L. Hughley, That’s My Word™ aims to be a source of both information and hope by sharing resources specifically for Black patients and their care partners about this rare blood cancer.

Delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation, as well as unequal access to newer and more advanced medicines, are part of the challenging reality that creates significant health disparities in multiple myeloma.¹

• Each year, approximately 35,000 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the United States, and more than 20 percent of all cases occur in Black people, with cases on the rise.^2,3
• Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed in people over the age of 60 years, but Black people are typically diagnosed 5-10 years earlier.^2,4
• While Black patients are less likely to have more aggressive disease, they are twice as likely to die from multiple myeloma because it is often undetected until it has progressed to more advanced stages.^1,3
• Yet, studies show that with early diagnosis, early treatment initiation, and equal access to care, Black patients can achieve better outcomes.⁵

Comedian and award-winning radio host D.L. Hughley is partnering with Janssen to empower Black communities with information and encourage better self-advocacy for their health. Hughley’s personal experience with cancer, including his father and sister, motivated him to take his own health seriously many years ago.

“Cancer has touched so many of us, but we need greater awareness of diseases that are disproportionately affecting and killing Black people, like multiple myeloma,” said D.L. Hughley. “I am so inspired by people who are living with this disease and who have become actively involved in their health decisions, caregivers who have experienced incredible loss yet push on, and healthcare professionals who are helping to address the complex relationship that our community has with the healthcare system. I am honored to work in partnership with the Black community through That’s My Word™ to raise awareness of critical information and encourage action in a way that can potentially save lives.”

Janssen continues to partner with the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), which is equally passionate in combating healthcare disparities in multiple myeloma. Together, Janssen and the IMF are encouraging people to make Multiple Myeloma Promises, or pledges, to commit to learning more about multiple myeloma and be proactive with their health to help catch it early and treat it, which hopefully will lead to better health outcomes. Janssen will donate one dollar to the IMF, up to $50,000, for each promise made through the campaign at @thatsmywordMM on Facebook and Instagram.

“Multiple myeloma is too often still diagnosed late or remains undiagnosed altogether in Black communities. While it’s important for patients to be vocal about what they are experiencing, it is equally important that healthcare providers listen to their patients to recognize the signs and symptoms that support prompt and accurate diagnosis,” said Joseph Mikhael, MD, Chief Medical Officer, International Myeloma Foundation and Professor, Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center.^3,4 “Through initiatives such as That’s My Word™, we share a commitment to reaching underserved patient communities that can help result in better education and better outcomes.”

As a leader in the treatment of multiple myeloma, Janssen believes all patients should be treated equally with comprehensive cancer care as part of its commitment to eradicate racial and social injustice as a public health threat, and Our Race to Health Equity.

“We launched That’s My Word™ to change the trajectory of multiple myeloma in Black communities, because we know the impact of health disparities is exacerbated for people who are living with this incurable blood cancer,” said Tyrone Brewer, President, Oncology, Janssen Biotech, Inc. “We are grateful for the partnerships we’ve built within the community because no entity can do this alone. We will continue to work toward a future in which improved outcomes are the reality for all patients, as part of our mission to reimagine care so that patients can redefine living.”

To get involved, follow the conversation on social media using the hashtags #ThatsMyWordMM and #MMPromise.

Learn more at www.janssen.com. Follow us at @JanssenUS. Janssen Biotech, Inc. is part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

BlocPower, a leading climate technology company focused on greening America’s buildings, today announced a fundraising round of $150 million, including over $24 million of Series B corporate equity led by VoLo Earth Ventures and $130 million of debt financing led by Goldman Sachs. Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, Credit Suisse, Builders Vision, New York State Ventures, Unreasonable Collective, Kimbal and Christiana Musk, Gaingels, Van Jones, Kapor Capital, My Climate Journey, Tale Venture Partners, and NBA superstar and entrepreneur Russell Westbrook also joined the equity round. To date, BlocPower has raised over $250 million of capital to finance building decarbonization in low income communities.

The investment round will drive BlocPower’s mission by expanding heat pump and building electrification programs across the U.S. BlocPower will further develop its highly differentiated, proprietary BlocMaps SaaS analytics platform; grow its financing and administrative capabilities; and broaden its Civilian Climate Corps green workforce initiative, focused on training and hiring at-risk individuals in vulnerable communities. Notably, the round comes at a time when Black startup founders in the United States raised just 1% of VC funds last year—an estimated $2.25 billion out of $215.9billion—nearly half of what they raised in 2021 ($4.34 billion).

“Since 2014, BlocPower has focused on decarbonizing America’s urban core, developing the green economy’s workforce, and bringing climate justice to underserved and vulnerable communities. We are fighting the climate crisis while improving quality of life for city residents. Series B equity and working capital financing from Goldman Sachs will allow us to accelerate building decarbonization across America. We will help low-to-moderate income communities to access the benefits of President Biden’s once in a lifetime green economy investments,” said Donnel Baird, CEO and founder of BlocPower.

Since its 2020 Series A, BlocPower has demonstrated 4,000% revenue growth, including signing city-scale decarbonization projects in Ithaca, NY and Menlo Park, CA, and large-scale projects in Denver, CO; San Jose, CA; Buffalo, NY; Denver, CO; Atlanta, GA; and San Luis Obispo, CA. The company completed hundreds of green energy upgrades across the country, bringing the total number of completed projects to more than 5,000 apartments, homes, houses of worship and commercial buildings. BlocPower has also added several new American geographies to BlocMaps, which is now being used by municipalities and utilities in New York City, Ithaca, San Luis Obispo, Chicago and other cities to develop and implement equitable, data-driven decarbonization strategies.

In 2022, BlocPower’s Civilian Climate Corps was awarded a two-year, $108 million contract from New York City Mayor Eric Adams to train 3,000 city residents for clean energy jobs and to help reduce gun violence as part of Mayor Eric Adams’ Precision Employment Initiative. The new contract expanded upon a $37 million contract from 2021, which launched the NYC Civilian Climate Corps. To support that growth, BlocPower opened two new training facilities  in Brooklyn and the Bronx, and raised $130 million of debt from Goldman Sachs. The program trains next generation green economy workforce from communities with a high risk of gun violence, focusing on the use of cutting edge software to install clean energy hardware.

“BlocPower has proven that the right combination of technology, finance, industry know-how and determination can help tackle some of the world’s most difficult challenges, and we are excited to support the company as it embarks on its next phase of expansion,” said Kareem Dabbagh, Managing Partner at VoLo Earth, who will be joining BlocPower’s Board of Directors. “At VoLo Earth, we dig deep to source companies with the right combination of technology, scalability, climate and social impact, winning economics, and tremendous long-term growth potential. BlocPower is emblematic of this mix, and we look forward to leveraging our operational expertise to help contribute to the company’s future success.”

Baird concludes, “Whenever someone wants to make a change, or do something new, nothing is guaranteed to turn out according to best laid plans. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs. You can’t renovate a home without dust and mess, and, sometimes, lead, mold, and asbestos. We go into low income communities to finance and upgrade 100 year old buildings–and sometimes we run into 100 year old surprises lurking in the walls, or hiding in the basement. But I’m proud that at BlocPower, we always finish what we start, and we clean up messes. The biggest mess of all is the climate crisis. We are pleased that VoLo Earth and other climate focused investors like Microsoft, Credit Suisse, New York State Ventures, Goldman, and Builders Vision are investing in building decarbonization as an immediately actionable way to combat climate change. We hope that our momentum will be a catalyst for further investments in other green startups, and startups founded by women and people of color, which have historically received less than 3% of venture capital.”

In addition to the new fundraising round BlocPower launched its corporate rebranding, representing a new chapter of growth, maturity and continued momentum for the company. BlocPower’s new, modern brand aims to convey the intensity and energy that fuels BlocPower’s vision for the future: that every home and building in America can be an engine of opportunity, and that all the climate, health, and economic benefits flowing from the green economy should be accessible for everyone.

In recognition of its work to date, BlocPower is being honored as an Emerging Leader by Vice President Kamala Harrisin Washington, D.C. at the Vice President’s residence. The Biden-Harris Administration is ensuring that 40% of climate infrastructure investments impact “Justice 40” communities, which are communities that have a history of excess pollution, disenfranchisement, and underinvestment.

Home and building owners can complete an instant project assessment to get started with BlocPower. Individuals looking to invest in the company’s work can learn more here.

Consumers Energy was proud to help co-sponsor the Girls Dream Big Summit hosted by the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, March 1. The annual summit, held in celebration of Women’s History Month, is an opportunity for students to hear from and network with women leaders in sports, media and industry from around the state, and included panel discussions and mentorship opportunities for attendees. More than 125 middle and high school students from Wayne Westland High School, Centerline High School, Alternative for Girls, A Girl Like Me, Pure Heart Foundation and Metro Detroit Girl Scouts participated.

“You can’t be what you can’t see, and that is why it is critical we connect young women and girls with role models, with mentorships, and most importantly with opportunities, to see and fully trust in the incredible range of possibilities available to them in life,” said Angela Thompkins, Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Consumers Energy, who served as both a panelist and mentor for the event. “Consumers Energy is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of Michigan’s leaders, and I am grateful I had the opportunity to speak to so many bright and energetic students in service of that goal.”

Consumers Energy also teamed up with the Pistons as co-sponsor for a scholarship provided through the Black History Month Rick Mahorn’s Annual Scholarship Event in February. The event, at the Detroit Institute of Arts, brought together high school seniors from Detroit and Flint to perform through their chosen artistic medium or present their art to a panel of community leaders, corporate partners, and Pistons legends. As part of the event, Consumers Energy provided a $10,000 scholarship to a student from the Jalen Rose Academy whose winning art project was selected by the panel.

“Hosting events like the Black History Month Scholarship Event and the Girls Dream Big Summit are extremely important as we continue to embrace diversity and work to make a difference in the lives of the future leaders of our community,” said Erika Swilley, Vice President of Community and Social Responsibility for the Detroit Pistons. “The impact the events had on the young students that took part was special for us as an organization to see and we thank all of our partners for making both days unforgettable for many students in metro Detroit.”

“We are at our strongest when there is a seat at the table, not only for diverse voices and experiences, but strengths and vocations as well,” Thompkins said. “Art is one of the most powerful mediums we have to tell stories, to educate and empower, and ultimately to change minds, policy and the future. Ensuring student artists have the support they need to continue telling stories and shaping culture through art is critical to creating a more inclusive and equitable future, and Consumers Energy is proud to play a role in facilitating that change.”

Consumers Energy is committed to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do — for the betterment of our co-workers, customers and communities. We stand for a diverse, inclusive workplace that embraces the diverse makeup of the communities we serve and values the ideas and contributions of all.

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to ConsumersEnergy.com.

At the top of International Women’s History Month, Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI), a leader in Christian education publishing based on a biblical worldview that is especially empowering to the African American community, announced that Regine Jean-Baptiste has been named Publisher and Executive Vice President of Business Operations. This is the first time in history they have named a woman publisher in the company’s 50+ year history; the announcement coincides with the women’s history theme for 2023, “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”

“UMI is proudly walking into Women’s History Month with a dynamic leader to help shape our own internal women’s history,” said C. Jeffrey Wright, CEO, Urban Ministries, Inc. (UMI). “It is not lost on us the significance of her joining us at this time, and the impact she will have is immeasurable.”

In this role, Regine will be responsible for strategic planning, content development on all platforms including print, digital, virtual, live events, and others as well as supporting the operational functions of the business. She brings an impressive background to UMI including experience in church pastoral leadership, Christian education publishing, print curriculum and e-learning product development, as well as extensive experience in technology, business development and expansion, and Six Sigma lean project management methodologies.

Prior to joining UMI, Regine was Chief Operating Officer at Innovyz USA, Professor of Religion & Philosophy at Saint Xavier University, Lead Curriculum Developer at Impact Course Developers, and Pastor of Discipleship at White Plains United Methodist Church. Regine holds a Masters of Divinity from Duke University and is also an undergraduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. She resides in Chicago, ILand can be found outdoors. She also loves to write, and has published various Kids Bible Study workbooks, which guides her passion point of prioritizing multi-generational teaching.

“My priorities are rethinking children’s ministry,” said Regine. “I am also looking forward to helping churches, grandparents, and parents effectively serve their children and youth in a post-COVID environment.”

UMI is the largest independent, African American owned-and-operated Christian media company. For more than fifty years, they have published Christian education resources, including Bible studies, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curriculum, books, movies, and websites designed for African American churches and individuals seeking a Christ-centered perspective on faith and life issues.

About Urban Ministries, Inc.
UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc.) is the largest independent, African American owned-and-operated Christian media company. We publish Christian education resources, including Bible studies, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School curriculum, books, movies, and websites designed for African American churches and individuals seeking a Christ-centered perspective on faith and life issues. For more information, visit www.urbanministries.com.

Ha! New Orleans recording artist Juvenile is backing that azz up—into a collaboration with Urban South Brewery on a new beer, Juvie Juice, a hard concoction that is half-lemonade and half-iced tea

Jacob Landry, founder and president of Urban South Brewery said in a written statement, according to WGNO, “We are really excited about our collaboration with Juvenile. ‘Juvie Juice’ is inspired by his favorite drink, the Arnold Palmer. This is also the brewery’s first time releasing a hard iced tea, and we are excited about how the formula turned out.”

The announcement came via the company’s Instagram account last month.

“We collaborated with @juviethegreat himself on crafting the PERFECT hard iced tea with lemonade for sipping on along the parade route. Sweet and balanced, you’re not gonna want to miss the chance to sip on Juvie’s favorite drink as soon as you can!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Urban South Brewery (@urbansouthbeer)

You can learn about the product at Urban South Brewery’s website. 

The rapper took to his Instagram account to share the news that Juvie Juice has sold out throughout in locations where it was in stock. The rapper also asked people who purchased the beer to tag him.

“Thank you everyone for your support!! Today we went by @southerneaglenola and showed love to the team selling #JuvieJuice to the grocery stores and convenience stores and bars and THEY SOLD OUT!! Thank you and take pictures when you find them and tag me I will repost you!”

 

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A post shared by Juvenile (@juviethegreat)

The new alcoholic beverage is listed as 5% ABV, and they are available in 12 oz and 19.2.oz cans.

To celebrate the product’s launch, Juvenile autographed dozens of can labels on the production line before they hit stores. Customers who post a picture of their autographed can and tag Urban South, and bring the can in to snag a variety of prizes.

• Entrepreneurship

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 2, 2023

Survey: 47% Of Black Business Owners Project Gaining Financing Key To Their Success

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The hurdle of obtaining financing to help start or grow businesses remains a lingering problem for many establishments, particularly small Black-owned businesses.

And the challenges have been intensified in recent years by headwinds such as high inflation and COVID-19 that forced many Black businesses to close, create new strategies to rebound from the pandemic, and consider other approaches to help ensure their growth, longevity and survival.

The adversity comes as the technology firm Hello Alice just lately released its 2023 Black Business Owners Insight Report sponsored by Mastercard and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Some 3,176 Black small business owners were surveyed by Hello Allice to honor
Black History Month and identify their characteristics and challenges heading into this year.

It was reported Hello Alice is a small business platform helping over one million SMBs across the U.S. achieve equitable access to capital. Its fresh report focuses on the challenges experienced by Black business owners, uncovers the gaps of services, and celebrates the momentum of this demographic. It touched on the needs and challenges of Black small business owners and found they are specifically venerable to macroeconomic conditions in 2023 as the year moves forward.

The good news is Black owners “are overall more optimistic about their futures and voiced uncommon perseverance as they pursue innovative ideas and solutions.”

Some of the findings revealed 47% of Black small business owners predicted that the success of their business will be conditional on their ability to secure funding, as well as grow their customer base.

Another discovery is Black business owners are much younger than other demographics with roughly 66% of black business below age 40. The report surmised that indicates “a new generation of black business owners and a steady growth of business creation”

So, why is it critical for Black business owners to secure financing given the uneven economy in recent months, particularly for younger Black entrepreneurs trying to grow or expand businesses?

Kelsey Ruger, chief product & technology officer at Hello Alice told BLACK ENTERPRISE  via email securing financing now is crucial for Black business owners because it enables them to be prepared for unexpected challenges and opportunities. Some 80% of owners are considering applying for financing this year.

“An operating capital surplus can help them weather unexpected downturns in the economy and continue to take advantage of opportunities that might otherwise be missed. This is particularly important for young Black entrepreneurs who are trying to grow their businesses, as they need access to funding to invest in new products, expand their customer base, or hire additional employees.”

Ruger says there are several challenges that Black entrepreneurs face, but two important ones are the difficulty in accessing capital and the lack of representation and support in business networks. “These challenges can significantly hinder their ability to accelerate the growth of their businesses, which is a crucial driver for success.”

He pointed out 40% of Black entrepreneurs and owners surveyed noted raising capital as their greatest challenge. “They often receive less financing, less often, and at higher rates than non-Black entrepreneurs. A lack of access to capital makes it harder for them to start and grow their businesses, as they have fewer resources to invest in their ventures. However, securing financing is critical for accelerating the growth of their businesses, whether it’s to expand their operations, hire more employees, or invest in new equipment or technology.”

He added a lack of representation and support in business networks makes it harder for Black entrepreneurs “to build relationships with mentors, investors, and other key industry players, which can sometimes be the hidden key they need to take the next step.”

Check out some tips to help Black business owners with financing and other resources here.

• Technology

by Sidnee Michelle Douyon

March 2, 2023

TikTok to Develop Parental Control Tool to Block Certain Videos

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TikTok said on Wednesday it is developing a tool that will allow parents to prevent their teens from viewing content containing certain words or hashtags on the short-form video app, as the embattled company looks to shore up its public image.

TikTok, owned by Chinese tech company ByteDance, is facing renewed scrutiny worldwide over its proximity to the Chinese government and protection of user data.

The app, wildly popular among younger users, has been banned from government-owned phones in the United States, Canada and other countries due to security concerns.

Like other social media apps, TikTok has also faced criticism for not doing enough to shield teens from inappropriate content.

Development of the parental control feature is in the early stages and the app will consult with parenting, youth and civil society organizations to design the tool, TikTok said.

It also announced new features to help users limit the amount of time they spend on the app. Accounts belonging to users under 18 will automatically have a time limit of one hour per day, and teens will need to enter a passcode to continue using the app, TikTok said in a blog post.

If teens choose to remove the daily limit and scroll TikTok for more than 100 minutes per day, the app will display a prompt encouraging them to set time limits.

Parents will now also be able to set custom time limits for their teens’ TikTok usage depending on the day of the week, the company said.

• Health and Wellness

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 2, 2023

Yvette Nicole Brown Gets Candid About Obesity With “It’s Bigger Than Me” Movement

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Actress Yvette Nicole Brown sat down with BLACK ENTERPRISE to educate us on the realness of obesity as part of the “It’s Bigger Than Me” obesity awareness movement.

Beginning on Wednesday, March 8, It’s Bigger Than Me will launch the “It’s Bigger Than Me series” moderated by Brown and a panel of influencers and healthcare professionals on conversations about obesity.

 

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The series continues the successful It’s Bigger Than Me Live tri-city tour from last year and aims to dispel myths surrounding obesity and educate viewers about the challenges that lie at the intersection of culture and pursuing health.

Brown took part in last year’s tours alongside Queen Latifah and loved the insightful initiative.

“The whole crux of it is teaching people that obesity is a disease,” Brown told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“I don’t think, at least when I was growing up, we didn’t look at it that way. And when you look at it through that lens, it changes how you talk to yourself.”

Brown spoke openly about weight changes throughout her life and shared her hope for the campaign to help bridge a gap and form new obesity allies and advocates.

“If you’re living with obesity, it changes how you treat others that are living with obesity, and it creates a space for us to talk about it in a way that keeps everybody’s dignity,” she said.

The series tackles stigmas and shares facts and resources with a round table of people who understand the seriousness of the disease. The series begins on March 8 and will continue every other week through mid-April.

“Each of our talks, we’re talking to influencers, doctors, people living with obesity, talking about body positivity versus health,” Brown explained.

Press play below to hear Brown get candid about the disease and dish on her new BounceTV sitcom called Act Your Age with Tisha Campbell and Kim Whitley.