Academy Award-winning singer Irene Cara has passed away, ABC7reported on Saturday. Cara died on Nov. 25 at her home in Florida. The cause of her death is not yet known.
Cara’s publicist Judith A. Mooseannounced the sad news on social media on Nov. 25.
“It is with profound sadness that on behalf of her family I announce the passing of Irene Cara.”
Moose also wrote a caption with the post noting her disbelief. “This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans. – JM.” She also noted that more information would be released as it became available.
This is the absolute worst part of being a publicist. I can’t believe I’ve had to write this, let alone release the news. Please share your thoughts and memories of Irene. I’ll be reading each and every one of them and know she’ll be smiling from Heaven. She adored her fans. – JM pic.twitter.com/TsC5BwZ3fh
Cara was also an actress, dancer, songwriter and producer who became a household name after she starred in the 1980 film Fame. Cara also sang the title track for the film and was nominated for two Grammy Awards for her work — one for Best New Artist and one for Best Female Pop Vocal Artist. Cara also sang the title track for the film Flashdance. Her song “Flashdance… What A Feeling” won the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 1984 Academy Awards.
The hit song also earned Cara two Grammy Awards — one for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Female and one for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture.
“Irene’s family has requested privacy as they process their grief,” said Moose. “She was a beautifully gifted soul whose legacy will live forever through her music and films.”
Employee Shoots and Kills Six Co-Workers At Virginia Walmart
A Walmart employee in Chesapeake, Virginia shot and killed six co-workers before turning the gun on himself on Nov. 22. According to NPR, 31-year-old Andre Bingdied after shooting several people inside the Walmart where he’d worked since 2010.
A witness who Bing let go, Jessica Wilczewski, said that several employees were gathered in the store’s break room at around 10 p.m. to work the overnight shift. Bing entered the room with a 9mm handgun and opened fire. Wilczewski said that Bing seemingly hunted down the people he killed. After seeing her hiding under a table, she said Bing ordered her to come out. However, after recognizing her, he let her go.
“Jessie, go home.”
Wilczewski said that she believes Bing let her go because she was a new employee. She also noted that he shot several people after they were already dead.
“The way he was acting — he was going hunting. The way he was looking at people’s faces, and the way he did what he did, he was picking people out.”
“What I do know is that he made sure who he wanted dead, was dead,” she continued. “He went back and shot dead bodies that were already dead.”Bing, who was a team leader at the store, left a note titled “death note” on his cell phone. He claimed in the note to have been harassed and mocked by his co-workers.
“Sorry everyone but I did not plan this I promise things just fell in place like I was led by the Satan,” he said.
“My only wish would have been to start over from scratch and that my parents would have paid closer attention to my social deficits. I was harassed by idiots with low intelligence and a lack of wisdom. The associates gave me evil twisted grins, mocked me and celebrated my downfall the last day.”
The Chesapeake Police Department identified the victims as 16-year-old Fernando Chavez-Barron, Randy Blevins, 70, Brian Pendleton, 38, Kellie Pyle, 52, Lorenzo Gamble, 43 and 22-year-old Tyneka Johnson. Six others were also shot and two remain in the hospital in critical condition including 24-year-old Jalon Jones.
Bing reportedly bought the gun on the same day of the shooting. Chesapeake Police officers arrived on the scene and found Bing and two other people dead inside the break room. Another deceased victim was found near the front of the store and three others later died at the hospital.
A candlelight vigil will be held in Chesapeake at City Park on November 29 at 6:00 p.m.
There’s an undeniable mentality in the world of entrepreneurship that if you’re not overworking, you’re not working hard enough. Of course, this is a debatable approach to business. However, nobody can avoid the around-the-clock nature of the internet, social media, the market, and news cycles. So while you might try and practice balance, getting quality rest can be challenging, especially for anybody really hustling. Besides, nothing changes the fact that sleep and relaxation are the keys to optimal performance.
How do you stay productive and proactive while getting enough sleep in the digital age? First, you will want to consider something non-invasive and not drug-related for a sustainable solution. Even caffeine is a drug, which comes with its own set of drawbacks. For a secret weapon that gives you calm, sleep, focus, and energy where and when you need it, consider this new-age wearable named the Apollo. This wearable sends soothing vibrations into your bodyto help you rest better, focus easier, and operate with greater clarity on a day-to-day basis. Plus, there’s no side effects that you get from caffeine or prescriptions.
The Apollo wearable is super easy to use, even for those who aren’t as tech-savvy. The wearable canwrap around your wrist or ankle and even clip onto your clothes. An accompanying smartphone application lets you program different modes for different points in the day, each one geared to help you with relaxation, sleep, focus, socializing, and more.
For busy professionals, the influence wearing an Apollo can have on your overall mental health is attractive, and the metrics related to sleep are especially valuable. So if you want to say goodbye to nights trying to sleep while seeing the remnants of social media feeds and email inboxes every time you close your eyes, then you might appreciate the results of this 500-user, real-world sleep study Apollo’s research team conducted. Users experienced 30 more minutes of sleep a night, a 14 percent average increase in REM sleep, a 19 percent average increase in deep sleep, and an 11 percent average increase in HRV.
On its website, the Apollo wearable has over 1200 perfect 5-star reviews. One recent one from Robert L. reads, “I was dealing with intense periods of stress at work and I was having difficulty falling and staying asleep. I have been using the device daily for almost two months and I have noticed a marked improvement in both sleep as well as my ability to cope with stress at work.”
Courvoisier® Celebrates Black And Minority-Owned Flower Shops With Limited Edition Holidays In Blossom Program
Maison Courvoisier today announced Holidays in Blossom, a program spotlighting and supporting Black and other minority-owned flower shops for the holiday season.
Courvoisier, the Most Awarded Cognac House*, worked with the National Urban League to identify florists in 13 markets across the U.S. to curate a “Cognac in Blossom” holiday arrangement that will be featured on holidaysinblossom.com and available for sale beginning November 21, and throughout the holiday season. These efforts are a part of the Maison’s global philanthropic platform, Foundation 1828.
Each Holidays in Blossom bouquet takes inspiration from Maison Courvoisier’s “floral house style” and the French belief of “joie de vivre,” celebrating the vibrancy and joy embodied in the every day. As people come together this season, the premium cognac house is reinforcing its commitment to supporting small businesses with a special bouquet perfect for gifting, decorating, entertaining and more. All proceeds from bouquet sales will go directly back to the participating small businesses, with Courvoisier also donating funds to the National Urban League in support of their Entrepreneurship Center programming, according to a press release.
“Courvoisier is committed to nurturing the drive, passion and creativity of entrepreneurs in minority communities,” said Jon Potter, Managing Director of Maison Courvoisier. “We know these small business face immense challenges, and it’s our goal to help even the playing field. We’re thrilled to champion these businesses and amplify their voices during a season that is about spreading joy and giving back.”
Together with the National Urban League, Courvoisier and its local regional teams worked closely to identify florists in key Urban League markets across the U.S. The 13 floral shops include:
Blourish (Atlanta, GA)
Blossoms Florist (Cincinnati, OH)
LUSH Flower Bar (Chicago, IL)
Erin’s Blooms (Cleveland, OH)
Battiste LaFleur Galleria (Columbus,OH)
Goodness Gracious Alive (Detroit, MI)
KC Events & Florals LLC (Houston, TX)
Oldvine Florals (Los Angeles, CA)
Andres Aguilar Designs (Miami, FL)
Barbara’s Flowers (New York, NY)
Posh and Bloom (Philadelphia, PA)
Esscents of Flowers (San Francisco, CA)
Flowers by Alexes (Washington, D.C.)
Holidays in Blossom is the latest endeavor under Maison Courvoisier’s philanthropic platform, Foundation 1828, which provides critical resources, educational programs and financial assistance to minority business owners. In 2020, Courvoisier forged a multi-year partnership with the National Urban League and committed $1 million over five years to aid Black and minority small business owners and entrepreneurs in the U.S.
“We’re thrilled to be part of this truly impactful program that is bringing awareness to Black and other minority-owned flower shops at a time when beautiful holiday arrangements and gifting are top of mind,” said Stephanie DeVane, Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Business Development of the National Urban League. “While Holidays in Blossom is a seasonal program, Courvoisier and its regional teams are always finding ways to continue to support our national program, as well as our local affiliates throughout the entirety of the year, and we look forward to continuing our partnership into 2023.”
For more information on Holidays in Blossom, please visit Courvoisier.com and follow @CourvoisierUSA across all social media platforms.
HBCU Alumna Creates Digital Financial Card Game for Young Black Youth to Close the Racial Wealth Gap
In the United States, the total racial wealth gap is more than $10 trillion, meaning millions of families of color are disproportionately disadvantaged, lacking resources, mobility, and stability.
Ruby Taylor, MSW, the creator of a game called Play Win Invest, is tackling the inequity by making learning about wealth creation engaging and entertaining.
Play Win Invest is a web-based game created by a Black woman to not only give players vital knowledge that helps them grow their wealth and learn to invest but also rewards that effort with big prizes every single week!
Play Win Invest is devoted to reaching new customers from underrepresented communities and giving Black Young Professionals and Black College Students the relevant advice they need to invest, save and prosper, Play Win Invest builds a clear understanding of how cash grows when handled right—and how it leads directly to lasting, generational wealth.
“Black professionals and college students need to be brought to the forefront of our financial possibilities,” says Taylor, who is also the Founder and CEO of Financial Joy School. “As corporate conversations around representation and diversity reach stratospheric levels, more action is needed.”
The solution: Enter Play Win Invest, the first web-based game created by a Black woman founder to give players vital financial knowledge that helps them grow their wealth and learn to invest. Participants will have the opportunity to receive investment cash to begin their investing journey. Curated to inspire young Black professionals and Black college students to improve their financial circumstances, Play Win Invest assists in closing the racial wealth gap with its fun, interactive game which offers real-time investing opportunities using AI.
“We are cultivating equality and generational wealth. Through our games, resources, and content, we’re teaching people how to reclaim joy and build wealth,” Taylor says.
Launching in February 2023, the Black History Month go-live will allow players to play Play Win Invest to learn more about establishing a stable, financial future. To join the waitlist, visit PlayWinInvest.com
Disney Awards $1 Million In Grants To Support Youth In STEM And The Arts In Honor Of Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’
In honor of the Nov. 11 theatrical debut of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Disney is hosting community screenings of the film across the country and awarding $1 million in grants to nonprofits providing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and arts education to young people from historically underrepresented communities. Recipient organizations include Girls Who Code, Ghetto Film School, The Hidden Genius Project, and DonorsChoose in the U.S., Chicas en Tecnología in Argentina, and Destination Imagination in Asia Pacific.
Through this support, Disney aims to empower youth to pursue careers in the arts, media, and technology, according to a press release.
“From its historic casting to advanced technology to culturally relevant storytelling, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is one of the greatest and most anticipated movies ever,” said Jennifer Cohen, executive vice president, Corporate Social Responsibility for The Walt Disney Company. “When young people watch this film, we want them to walk away believing that their futures are boundless and being inspired to pursue their passions, grow their skills, and share their unique talents with the world.”
Driving access through community screenings
In celebration of these organizations’ transformational work and as part of the Company’s efforts to inspire young people through increased access to impactful storytelling, Disney hosted advanced community screenings of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in several U.S. cities for its nonprofit collaborators serving the next generation of storytellers, innovators, and leaders.
Teens and young adults supported by these organizations attended exclusive screening events in Los Angeles, New York, Oakland, and Atlanta (with an upcoming screening in Orlando) that included a red carpet, photo ops, and a special video message from the cast. The Dora Milaje, the all-female special forces of Wakanda, even made a surprise appearance at the Los Angeles event.
Additionally, as part of its collaboration with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Target hosted over 130 community screenings of the film for local nonprofits in 10 markets (with upcoming screenings in Orlando and Miami) in collaboration with AMC Theatres.
In total, nearly 25,000 young people got to experience the film before its wide release.
Creating opportunities for future storytellers
These efforts are part of Disney Future Storytellers, an initiative intended to empower the next generation of diverse creators and innovators. Through educational programs, scholarships, mentoring, and technical skill-building, Disney is increasing access to careers in the media, entertainment, technology, and hospitality industries for teens and young adults from historically underrepresented communities, including by:
Serving as one of thelead sponsors of Propel Center, a first-of-its-kind education hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Through this collaboration, Disney is working with HBCU faculty and industry leaders to create curricula that prepare students for careers in technology and entertainment.
Launching theDisney Storytellers Fund at Howard University, which provides stipends over a five-year period for student projects focused on storytelling across a variety of media.
Supporting ChickTech’s 2022-2023 High School program, a year-long series of technology workshops, mentoring, and internship connections for 8th-12th grade students.
From Troubled Teen to Executive Producer of Black Ink Franchise, Treiva Williams Turned Trauma Into Triumph
Oftentimes people get frustrated with their current job because they believe their skillset is not being used to their full potential.
Treiva Williams’s career journey reminds freelancers, creatives, executives, and especially veterans that one door always opens another, and that administrative skills are indispensable no matter what industry you’re in.
(Courtesy Treiva Williams)
Some people join the army because it’s the best option post-high school graduation, but for Williams, a New Orleans native, it was a choice of survival. Little did she know, her journey there would provide the skills necessary to pivot into the world of television and entertainment.
“I was a troubled teen from a trauma-infused household. I had been a teenage runaway and even attempted suicide and was looking to escape myself and find myself all at the same time,” Williams told BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“In high school, we all had to take ASVAB, which the military uses for recruitment. Apparently, I scored in the one percent and next thing I know all the branches were calling me. After meeting with recruiters from all four branches I chose the army because their basic training date was the soonest,” says Williams.
Williams cites her army experience as the best decision she’s ever made, allowing her to propel in every aspect of life.
“Gaining that base level of teamwork and leadership is the foundation of how I operate even as an executive today; that skill correlates professionally and personally,” she admits.
“The military gave me structure and discipline and helped me identify my gift of administration. As a wild and troubled 17-year-old, I was forced to grow up immediately and to be accountable for myself and others. I learned that actions and decisions could have a life-and-death effect. I was forced to lead others through service and by example. It wasn’t enough if only I was squared away, pressed and polished and in cadence. If just one of my fellow platoon leaders were off, we all failed.”
After completing her time in the army, Williams relocated to Atlanta to embark on a new life, ultimately working in the advertising field as an executive assistant to a senior account executive, who promoted her and took Williams along with her as her career excelled. Now, people management was her newfound forte’.
“Advertising and Marketing began to merge into the Atlanta music scenes as top brands were synergizing with up-and-coming Atlanta acts and producers. As I developed music relationships, my love for music and entertainment led me to focus on that side of things. During that course of time with life changes and purposed direction, I found myself fully immersed in the gospel music industry and faith-based marketing.”
To the person who lacks vision, these things can seem unrelated, but Williams knows it was all a part of a greater plan for her life and destiny.
But connecting with powerhouse executive, Dr. Holly Davis-Carter would be the game-changer to position her for television production—the lane she currently thrives in as the Series Executive Producer for Viacom with the Black Ink franchise.
Under Carter, Williams worked directly for the gospel group Mary Mary as their executive business administrator. She started off as the series talent producer and excelled as Supervising Producer by Season 3.
In between filming seasons of Mary Mary she went on to produce two seasons of R&B Divas Atlanta and R&B Divas L.A., thanks to an executive Phil Thornton who recognized Williams’s full talent as a rising producer.
In 2014, Williams was introduced to the incomparable Mona Scott Young and has been rocking and rolling with her since. Scott Young decided to launch a new city of Love & Hip Hop in Hollywood and Williams was brought in as an Associate Producer—a lesser title than she’d had on other shows. However, this strategic move catapulted her from associate producer to showrunner within a span of six years!
“I enjoyed the myriad of projects I was involved in with Mona and Monami Entertainment. She has become one of my best friends and teachers of the game–my best friend “forevva”, as Cardi B would say.”
Purpose came knocking at Williams’s door again in 2020, calling her to become a life coach. Working in production allowed her to put the real back into reality TV, getting introspective with the cast members and helping them navigate through their turmoil and traumas; therefore, getting a life coach certification felt natural to her. T.R.U.T.H. Life Coaching started in the middle of the pandemic and continues to grow.
As a veteran, producer, life coach, mother, and wife, Williams teaches Black women that it’s never too late to pivot and pursue their God-given purpose. Because of this, she is being recognized by her city as the 2023 Queen of the Treme’ Sidewalk Steppers Ball.
American Express Partners With TikTok To Help Drive Sales For Small Business Saturday
American Express is partnering with video-hosting service TikTok to help small businesses increase sales this year during Small Business Saturday.
Entering its 13th year, Small Business Saturday is a marketing initiative created and promoted by AMEX to encourage holiday shopping the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The small business initiative is in the middle of two major shopping periods: Black Friday on Nov. 25 and Cyber Monday on Nov. 28.
According to Forbes, the new partnership aims to drive $100 billion in reported consumer spending to small businesses through 2025. AMEX believes, according to their 2022 American Express Shop Small Impact Study, that reaching the next generation of shoppers via social media on a popular platform like TikTok would provide essential help to small businesses. The study revealed that 63% of small business owners want to focus on growing their Gen Z and millennial customer bases this holiday season.
One of these efforts began Nov. 14 as AMEX included an offer for eligible small business owners to earn a $100 TikTok advertising credit a part of the #ShopSmall Accelerator initiative. In addition, eligible small business owners will be given resource tools on how their businesses can stand out on the social media platform.
“Shopping small has a significant impact on helping local communities, with two-thirds of every dollar spent at small businesses staying within the local community,” Elizabeth Rutledge, chief marketing officer of American Express, said in a interview with Business Wire.
“Last year, consumers reported spending more than $23 billion shopping small on Small Business Saturday, and we want to exceed that in 2022.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many small business owners turned to social media as a reliable way to connect with their customer base when in-person transactions and interactions were not an option.
Forbes also reported that the AMEX study showed 72% of small business owners are concerned about the impact of inflation.
The #ShopSmall Accelerator and other Small Business Saturday marketing initiatives help address the challenges for these businesses when competing with larger retailers.
Black Holiday Pop-Up Market In Philly Decked Out With Black Businesses
The holiday season is here and these Black businesses are helping you crank up the festivities.
The Philadelphia-based organization, The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation, founded in 1989, has opened their first Black Holiday Pop-Up Market in West Philly.
According to The Philadelphia Tribune, the pop-up market will offer a diverse range of products, including clothing, art, jewelry, home décor, candles, and skin and haircare essentials, from over 30 Black-owned businesses.
Visit @PhilaTEC Black Holiday Pop-up at 24 S 52nd Street for all of your holiday shopping needs! And if you’re a small business owner, it isn’t too late to join the pop-up by contacting the Enterprise Center. pic.twitter.com/4Lo9rdHELe
“As a longtime advocate for small businesses, I’ve worked with The Enterprise Center going back to my time as a state representative and now in Congress as a member of the House Small Business Committee. I think the pop-up market is a great idea and a positive thing for both West Philadelphia and the businesses,” said U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans in a statement to the outlet.
Daria Williams, The Enterprise Center’s senior director for community, said the vacant space, a property owned by the organization, was awaiting renovations, however, The Enterprise Center’s President Della Clark decided to make use of the location with the holiday pop-up.
“I think, with the holiday season, people are excited to shop,” Williams said.
“I think more than ever, over the last few years, people are even more inclined to support Black businesses. South 52nd Street has been historically predominantly Black-run corridor with Black-owned businesses all up and down the stretch of 52nd Street. So we’re excited to contribute to that by having the space (there for) Black-owned businesses for the holiday season.”
“It has a good effect on communities: giving small businesses confidence in showing them that they can have their products in a store and be successful and sell, help us out with the economy, keep the money in the community, all kinds of things,” Khadijah Ramadan, owner of Lady KR Crochet, said.
Black-owned businesses highlighted at the market include Stories for Us Press, J Monae Design, Art & Soul Gallery, Orchid Beauty, Lady KR Crochet, Scented Shadows, Philadelphia Candle Co., Hair Grove Essentials, The Elm Shop, Donna Mary Soaps, Black Lotus Skin, and West Side Framing Studio.
The market is located at 26 S 52nd St. and will be open from Tuesday to Sunday until Jan. 15, 2023.
Harlem’s Fashion Row Launches Online Shopping Directory to Support Black And Latinx Designers
Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) is expanding to include diverse designers of color by launching an official online shopping directory to promote Black and Latinx fashion lines.
On Monday, Harlem’s Fashion Row unveiled HFR&Co, an official online directory to facilitate consumers’ search for Black- and Latinx-owned brands, Voguereported. The new platform was created in partnership with a group of retailers including Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and Shopbop.
“For the last 15 years, we’ve said to people that Black designers represent less than 1% of the designers sold in major retailers,” HFR founder Brandice Daniel said.
“But we have never given people a way to then shop these Black brands on the HFR platform.”
Now, through the new directory, fashion lovers can shop from a selection of Black and Latinx designers who have collections for men, women, and children. Among the designers available include Wales Bonner, Ahluwalia, Off-White, Diarrablu, and Sergio Hudson, among others.
“One of the challenges that exists right now is when people go into stores, and they want to shop Black or Latinx brands, they can’t find them,” Daniel said.
“[Now you can] come on and easily shop the site, [as well as] see a range of price points.
Not only can shoppers search through a directory of diverse designers, but 10% of all proceeds from the sales will go to Icon 360, Harlem’s Fashion Row’s nonprofit that provides financial and professional resources to emerging designers.
Daniel is hard at work expanding the directory and already has projects lined up for 2023. Supporters can expect more designers, and even the inclusion of beauty brands in the near future, according to Vogue.
“This is a big moment for us because we’re saying to the retailers, if you are bringing in more Black brands, we will highlight that,” Daniel shared.
“We hope that as we grow and sell, we help retailers sell more products from the brands, and designers get more orders.”
