TEDCO, Maryland’s economic engine for technology companies, announced that its Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence program was selected by the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2023 Congressionally Directed Spending funding at a level of $418,000 – a direct federal funding request sponsored by U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).

The funding for TEDCO’s 10-month leadership development program was included in the FY23 Omnibus Spending bill recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden, according to a press release.

“As Chairman of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, I have long been committed to leveling the playing field for our underserved entrepreneurs. Small business is a path of self-determination for many, especially Black women entrepreneurs,” said Senator Cardin. “TEDCO has demonstrated its ability to reach these small business owners and help their businesses grow and thrive. I’m proud we have secured $418,000 in direct federal investment for this project, which will foster the entrepreneurial spirit within Maryland’s HBCU community.”

“To strengthen Maryland’s small businesses, we need to remove barriers to ensure that every entrepreneur has access to the resources and support to succeed. That’s why I fought to deliver this $418,000 direct federal investment in TEDCO’s Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneurs – to expand opportunity, boost startups, and leverage Maryland’s diverse talent to foster more leadership opportunities. I look forward to continuing to work with TEDCO to advance our shared commitment to equity in action,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

TEDCO’s Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence was created to address barriers to success. While they lead the way in business formation, only 3% of Black women business owners are running mature businesses. Research cites three key reasons—the types of businesses, limited access to capital, and the uneven distribution of access to key resources needed for entrepreneurship success—as barriers to entry and catching-up of disadvantaged groups. The new program builds on a promising statistic for Maryland’s inclusive economy: at 52%, Maryland has the highest rate per capita of women-business ownership in the United States.

“We are deeply appreciative of the efforts of Senators Van Hollen and Cardin, the Maryland congressional delegation members, and Congress for supporting and funding the Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence in this year’s FY23 Omnibus Spending package,” said Troy LeMaile-Stovall. “This funding supports local entrepreneurs in building critical skills, expanding their networks, and successfully growing their businesses—and the Maryland economy.”

The first year of the Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence is underway, starting as a pilot program in collaboration with Howard County Government, with plans to expand across the state. The program leverages the unique expertise of Maryland’s four HBCUs including Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. These Maryland HBCUs work with the cohort to determine their needs at the intersection of research, tech transfer and education. Another major component of the program is helping cohort members collaborate as a community and build their local and statewide networks.

“We know that women-owned start-ups, particularly those led by Black women, face an array of challenges, including the all-important access to capital,” said Linda Singh, executive director for TEDCO’s Women Entrepreneur Leadership Programs. “Our Open Institute for Black Women Entrepreneur Excellence will give local entrepreneurs the opportunity to collaborate, grow their networks, and navigate the local innovation ecosystem together. It’s a winning combination for the leaders, their companies and the state of Maryland.”

• Entrepreneurship

by Black Enterprise Shop

January 13, 2023

This 15-Course Microsoft Excel Training Bundle Is A Masterclass

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Microsoft’s widely popular program, Excel, has been around since the mid-1980s. So chances are you have encountered the software in your office or classroom. Excel has you covered whether you are crunching numbers, budgeting, organizing data, or preparing graphs and tables for your next big meeting.

You might know the basics, but Excel has an array of features few people know how to use. If you want to become more proficient in Excel or learn a few new features, this 2023 Ultimate Microsoft Excel Pivot Tables & Dashboards Bundle is for you. For a limited time, you can purchase this information-packed bundle for only $39.99. That’s a savings of more than 90% from its original MSRP ($1,254).

Fifteen courses spanning more than 90 hours are included in this bundle. Microsoft Excel is not included in your purchase.

Ranging from beginner to advance, there is something for all Excel users. Starting with the “Microsoft Excel 2021/365: Beginners Course”, students will learn how to navigate Excel’s interface and keyboard shortcuts and analyze data using charts.

Business professionals will find value in the ”Excel for Business Analysts” course. Lessons include how to merge data from different sources using VLOOKUP, HLOOKUP, INDEX MATCH, & XLOOKUP, using the PivotTable function to perform data analysis, and how to conduct a Linear Forecast & Forecast Smoothing.

The “Advanced PivotTables in Excel” course shows users how to use PivotTables to perform data analysis tasks quickly and efficiently in Excel. By the end of the course, users will also know how to create a Pivot Chart and add sparklines and slicers and create a basic macro to refresh PivotTable data.

SkillStream offers courses that have taught more than one million students since being founded 14 years ago. SkillStream has an instructor rating of 4.4 stars.

Make the most of Microsoft Excel and its vast features by purchasing this masterclass of a bundle today.

Prices subject to change.

Last year, a plane crew requested that former New York Giants football player, Odell Beckham Jr., be removed from the aircraft.

The American Airlines crew told police officers that the 30-year-old “appeared to be in and out of consciousness” as they tried to wake him up so he could fasten his seatbelt. The flight crew stated that they were “concerned” for his safety, notified the police, and requested that he be removed from the aircraft.

The Miami-Dade Police Department released police body-cam footage of the incident from the time police officers entered the airplane, which was released by The New York Post.

While the police officers were speaking to Beckham, he responded, “I’ve never had this happen to me.”

After a brief conversation, Beckham got up to leave and got into a confrontation with a passenger who was annoyed at the situation.

“You’re everything wrong with the world,” Beckham told the frustrated passenger. “Looking at me to get off a plane, for you. I would never, ever in my life get off the plane for you. Specifically you. Maybe everybody else, I would get off the plane.”

The football player chastised the man and called him fat and ugly.

He said to the man, “You gon’ wait 40 minutes and I’m going to be on a private plane home. Yeah, with your fat ass. Get your ass off the plane for a second. Enjoy the cheese board on the way home with your ugly ass.”

After Beckham got off the plane, he was allowed to make other arrangements to get to his destination.

Odell’s attorney, Daniel Davilier, released a statement at that time alluding to a flight attendant exerting his “authority.” Davilier stated that Odell was simply asleep and the attendant could have woken him to request that he put on his seatbelt. Instead, the attendant said that since he hadn’t placed his seatbelt on, he had to get off the plane. After Beckham was told that, he had no problem complying, but by that time, the crew member said it was too late.

• Arts and Culture

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 12, 2023

Nikkolas Smith Unveils ‘Marvel Artist Series’ For Target

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Artist and New York Times bestselling illustrator, Nikkolas Smith, has plenty of reason to celebrate after unveiling his official Marvel Artist Series collection for Target.

Smith took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a video announcing his official Target collection of reimagined Black superheroes. “Today is the day yall! I’m super excited to share that my Marvel Artist Series line is now officially available at @target 🎯 nationwide!!” he wrote.

The collection serves as a wearable representation of Black superheroes Smith was asked to recreate by Marvel.

“Marvel asked me to reimagine my favorite Black superheroes: Black Panther, Storm, and Miles Morales. 🐾⚡️🕷️,” he shared.

 

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A post shared by Nikkolas Smith (@nikkolas_smith)

The self-described “Artivist” went on to describe the collection, its versatility, and its exclusive offering at the nationwide retailer.

“My collection has over 20 pieces of apparel for adults and kids, blankets for your home, and three FunkoPOPs! All exclusively for Target! 🤯 🎯” he shared.

The collection came just in time for Black History Month, which Smith noted as even more of a reason to go support his pieces.

“Head out to your favorite Target store and look for my Artist Series section and also check out Target.com for some of the pieces that are exclusively sold online! Get your gear ready for Black History Month!” he wrote.

The collection comes a few months after Smith and fellow New York Times best-selling creator Frederick Joseph debuted a new Marvel character, Assata, in the all-new picture book Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: The Courage to Dream, as announced by Marvel.

“I’ve teamed up with my brother from another mother @fredtjoseph to bring a new beautiful Wakandan story to the world, and we cannot wait for you to see it,” Smith shared in his Instagram announcement.

 

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His amazing artistry continues to reach wider depths. To more success to Smith in 2023!

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

January 12, 2023

Ariel Investments Celebrates 40th Anniversary, Unveils New Brand Identity, Reflecting Business Transformation

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Ariel Investments, LLC (“Ariel” or “the firm”), a global value-based asset management firm, today unveiled a new brand in honor of its 40th anniversary. Ariel’s new creative can be viewed on ArielInvestments.com and the firm’s social media channels (Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).

“Forty years ago, a 24-year-old John W. Rogers, Jr. founded Ariel to pursue his passion of picking high-quality stocks: a hobby he began at the age of 12,” said Mellody Hobson, Co-CEO and President of Ariel Investments.

“Ariel started as the first Black-owned mutual fund company based in Chicago. Today, we are a global, diversified asset management firm with 123 teammates in offices across Chicago, New York, San Francisco and Sydney. So much has changed, but our patient investment philosophy remains core to everything we do.”

Hobson continued: “This new look and feel represents the next step in Ariel’s transformation – but evolution is not new to us. Each decade we have expanded our reach and service to clients.”

Ariel Investments launched in January 1983 as a small and mid-cap value investment firm. Today, its flagship Ariel Fund has the longest track record in the mid-cap value category. In 2011, Ariel built an all-cap international & global research team in New York City that continues to expand. In 2021, the firm launched its first private equity subsidiary, Ariel Alternatives, to scale sustainable, middle-market, minority-owned businesses and fuel Fortune 500 vendor diversity. That same year, Ariel entered the exchange-traded fund space, partnering with Schwab as subadvisor for its inaugural environmental, social and governance ETF (NYSE: SAEF).

Arielle Patrick, Chief Communications Officer of Ariel Investments, commented:

“The inspiration for our rebrand was born out of a reverence for the people who make our mission possible – our teammates and our clients. While Aesop’s tortoise is still our mascot and ‘Slow and steady wins the race’ continues to be our motto, today we are updating our tagline to Active Patience^SM. This phrase reminds us that while Ariel is patient, we are never static. We actively seek value for our stakeholders who entrust us with their financial futures.”

Patrick concluded: “The brand features an editorial aesthetic with a focus on large-scale black-and-white photography of our people and the communities we serve. Our redesign is more contemporary and translates to an improved user experience on our website. Thank you to our consultants: Michael Rock and his team at 2×4 for our visual identity and Brunswick Group for bringing it to life on the web.”

Family members of this late Black woman pioneer took a stroll down memory lane to witness a tribute to their loved one.

Margaret Jane Thompson Mackey opened the first Bahamian restaurant, The Seafood Cafe, in Miami decades ago, and the city is acknowledging the late restaurateur by renaming a street near the cafe’s old location after her.

According to CBS News, the renaming of the street honors the work Mackey had done throughout the Miami community, specifically in Overtown, a historic neighborhood that was known as “Colored Town” during the years of segregation.

“I see it, the sign is down there,” one of Mackey’s granddaughters, Andrea Pratt, said as she walked down the street, pointing out the sign for the first time.

“I feel so blessed,” she added.

Pratt had been campaigning for two years in an effort to have the City of Miami carry out the renaming.

“The restaurant was right here, because Mr. Louie’s store was there,” Antoinette Miller, Pratt’s sister, added as they continued their stroll.

Aside from the Bahamian food that Mackey offered to the community and famous visitors like Muhammad Ali, Mackey was also remembered for her generosity.

“When people came from out of town and didn’t have anywhere to go no place to give, she would give them a job in her restaurant and then she would get them a place to sleep until they go on their feet,” Miller shared.

“What I saw her do could be passed on to anybody,” said Enid Pinkney, who’s made it her mission to preserve Black history in Miami.

“What she did was put a greatness in the lives of many,” Pratt said.

Pratt observed how much the area had changed over the years.

Mackey, opened her restaurant in 1929, but had to close down, along with other Black-owned businesses in Overtown, to make room for the Urban Renewal Program and I-95 extension.

“Our youth, they need to hear these stories, if she could do it during a time where the world is going through a downfall the Great Depression if she was able to open up a thriving restaurant that can give us hope,” Gail Seay, City of Miami Constituent Affairs said.

The City of Miami held an unveiling for the sign. Currently, the sign is being updated to fix a typo in Mackey’s name.

 

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Time is of the essence for Leonard Taylor.

Taylor is sitting on Missouri’s death row after being accused of the 2004 quadruple murder of his girlfriend, Angela Rowe, and her three children. However, the 58-year-old claims he is innocent and his attorneys say he has an “airtight” alibi.

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that attorneys representing Taylor have sworn statements, adding to the argument that Taylor being 1,800 miles away from the scene of the crime. Attorneys Kent Gipson and Kevin Schriener are calling on the St. Louis County prosecutor’s office to review it under a certain law. The provision would “let a prosecutor file a motion for a hearing before a judge if the prosecutor has information a defendant could be innocent or erroneously convicted.” If the motion is filed by the St. Louis County prosecutor’s office, a judge must review the evidence in a hearing.

The motion was filed last week amid protests to stop Taylor’s execution, which is scheduled on Feb. 7.

And it looks like they were successful. Chris King, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, told The Kansas City Star that the case is under review.

The Kansas City Star reported that Taylor sent a letter claiming he was “unreasonably targeted, falsely accused, wrongfully indicted, unjustly convicted, and cruelly sentenced to die” during his trial in 2008. During the trial, prosecutors said that Taylor called his brother and admitted to killing Rowe and her family. Before he boarded a flight to California, Taylor claimed that Rowe and the kids were very much alive.

SLPD reports that videotape from the St. Louis airport confirms he boarded a flight early the morning after Thanksgiving.

While a convicted criminal, Taylor’s lawyers say there was no motive for him to murder Rowe or her children. Sources from The Kansas City Star say alternative suspects weren’t investigated properly. Other factors, such as no weapon being retrieved, have Taylor’s lawyers hopeful for change. Gipson told the Kansas City Star he wants the prosecutor’s office to live up to their promises. “I’m hopeful that the new regime in St. Louis County will live up to the promises that Wesley Bell made in his campaign, that he’s going to do something about wrongful convictions and I think we’ve shown more than enough evidence to get a new hearing under the new law.”

Rihanna’s manager had a long night on Tuesday when the pop superstar attended the Golden Globes and dined the night away with boyfriend A$AP Rocky.

After attending the 80th annual Golden Globes, Rihanna and Rocky, real name Rakim Mayers, decided to enjoy a post-award show dinner, TMZ reported. With a little time off the clock, Rih Rih’s manager and Roc Nation exec, Jay Brown, decided to catch a few Z’s before the happy couple finished their meals.

But when Rocky returned to the car, the “D.M.B.” rapper couldn’t resist pulling out his phone to film Brown snoozing in the front seat. After catching Brown sleeping, Rocky waved off the surrounding paparazzi and banged on the roof of the car to wake Rih’s manager up.

Rocky supported Rihanna at the Golden Globes, where she was nominated for  “Best Original Song in a Motion Picture” for her title track “Lift Me Up” from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. Rihanna lost to “Naatu Naatu” from the Indian film RRR, but she still grabbed everyone’s attention with her attendance.

Rihanna and Rocky have been inseparable since returning to the public scene after welcoming their son last May. Just last month, Rihanna debuted her adorable baby boy in a TikTok video that showed off a bit of his bubbly personality, The LA Times reported.

Rih and Rocky have yet to reveal their baby boy’s name. It’s the first child for both stars, who have been publicly dating since late 2020. The “Diamonds” singer was transparent about not planning the pregnancy.

“I don’t know when I ovulate or any of that type of s**t,” she told Vanity Fair last April. “We just had fun. And then it was just there on the test,” she said.

When it came to falling in love with Rocky after years of being good friends, Rihanna said it wasn’t an easy conquest for the Harlem rapper.

“People don’t get out of the friend zone very easily with me,” she said. “And I certainly took a while to get over how much I know him and how much he knows me, because we also know how much trouble we can land each other in.”

The Combs kids are getting acclimated to the newest member of the family, Love Sean Combs.

Diddy’s two sons, Justin Combs and Christian “King” Combs, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share highlights from the quality time they had spent with their newborn sister “Baby Love.”

Justin, 29, was the first to post two photos holding the adorable infant he referred to as “my twin.”

 

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Hours later, Diddy’s youngest son, King, 24, shared three photos holding “Baby Love” who was cradled in a Burberry onesie.

 

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A post shared by Christian Combs (@kingcombs)

The adorable family bonding moments come just one month after Diddy announced Love’s addition to the Combs family, following her October birth, TMZ reports.

“I’m so blessed to welcome my baby girl Love Sean Combs to the world,” the rapper tweeted. “Mama Combs, Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and myself all love you so much! God is the Greatest!”

I’m so blessed to welcome my baby girl Love Sean Combs to the world. Mama Combs, Quincy, Justin, Christian, Chance, D’Lila, Jessie and myself all love you so much! God is the Greatest!

— LOVE (@Diddy) December 10, 2022

By Christmas, Diddy debuted Baby Love on Instagram with a heartwarming family photo that included all seven of his children. Diddy is father to Quincy Taylor Brown, 31, his eldest whom he adopted during his relationship with the late, Kim Porter; Justin Dior; King; twin daughters D’Lila Star and Jessie James, 16; and daughter Chance, 17.

Baby Love brings Diddy’s total to seven. Many were surprised by Diddy’s baby announcement, considering he had never been public with anyone who was pregnant.

The Bad Boy founder has yet to share who Baby Love’s mother is. But a birth certificate identified her as Dana Tran, 28, a cybersecurity officer who gave birth to Love on Oct. 15, 2022, TMZ reports.

Diddy recently wiped his Instagram clean after going Instagram official with his current girlfriend, rapper Yung Miami, and posted one video of Baby Love looking adorable while taking a bath.

The View’s Sunny Hostin is feeling like a whole new woman after getting a breast reduction and liposuction last summer.

The talk show host is being transparent in the latest issue of People about the cosmetic surgery she underwent in August 2022 to revamp her look and reignite her confidence. Hostin finally decided to go under the knife after years of battling back pain and body image issues.

“I feel like a better version of myself,” Hostin said. “It was a health decision and a self-care decision.”

Hostin was also facing personal battles with the stigmas surrounding cosmetic surgery, which she now hopes to combat.

“I thought I would feel shame, like, ‘Oh my God, I’m doing plastic surgery like all these crazy celebrities.’ But I don’t feel shame at all,” she said. “And I hope sharing my story will help more people. If they’re feeling so body-conscious, the way I was — they can do what they need to do to feel better.”

Hostin shared that she always had full-sized breasts that only grew after welcoming her children, son Gabriel, 20, and daughter Paloma, 16, with her orthopedic surgeon husband Emmanuel Hostin, 52.

“By the time I was 16, I was a double-D,” Hostin said. “I couldn’t imagine my breasts would get bigger with childbirth — however, they did.”

Her concerns about her figure and public appearance only heightened after she joined The View in 2016.

“My waist was small, but my top was so big I would wear a minimizer bra and a sports bra or a binder all the time,” she explained. “Or I would get a very large dress, and then my stylist would put clips on the back of my dress so that everything would fit.”

The defining moment that resulted in Hostin deciding to go under the knife came at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner where she struggled to fit into her Toni Maticevski gown because the dress’ bra didn’t fit.

“I was crying,” Hostin revealed. “I sat there and didn’t eat anything. I couldn’t lift my hand because my boobs were going to fall out. [Musical group] Bell Biv DeVoe wanted to take a picture with me. I was like, ‘Oh God, they’re going to have these pictures of my boobs hanging out.'”

Hostin booked an appointment with New York City-based plastic surgeon Dr. Ryan Neinstein and breast specialist Dr. Anna Steve. On August 22, 2022, she finally underwent the procedures: a breast reduction and lift, along with liposuction on her waist and chin.

“Now I prance around nude all the time at my house — I feel great,” Hostin, who went from a G-cup to a C-cup, said. “I don’t know, you may see me naked on The View!”