‘Becoming Collegiate Academy’ Is First HBCU-Inspired Elementary School In Florida
The city of Jacksonville, Florida, made room for a new learning center inspired by historically Black colleges and universities.
The elementary school, Becoming Collegiate Academy, is located in Gateway Town Center and hails the prestigious HBCUs with flags that decorate the entrance.
In the ABC's at Becoming Collegiate Academy, "A" is "Alcorn State University" and "Z" is "Zora Neale Hurston."
As previously reported in BLACK ENTERPRISE,Cameron Frazier, founder and executive director of the Becoming Collegiate Academy, part of the innovative school’s mission is to target students in communities of color and provide them with an education in which they are reflected.
According to Local Today, Frazier believes representation matters, and the ABCs in the classrooms addresses that. For instance, the “A” reportedly represents “Alcorn State University,” and the “Z” stands for “Zora Neale Hurston.”
“We are inheriting best practices from the HBCU experience. That’s why we let our brown bears have this experience early on,” Frazier added.
“It’s very important that our students see role models that look just like them every day,” Frazier said.
“It is extremely important that our students experience it in elementary school. They need to see Black men teaching them academics, letting them know they are smart, building their identities, having high expectations, and surrounding them with love.”
Ahmad Levy, a former student of Frazier, currently works as a teacher and shared that he had his first Black teacher when he reached his seventh-grade year.
“Seeing someone who looked like me as my teacher really inspired me to take a second look at different things to do in life,” Levy said. “I teach now so I can be that representative for our community.”
Reportedly,there are 80 students currently enrolled in the school, and the student body comprises kindergartners and first graders. The school continues its search for educators and is still accepting applications for students as they plan to add a class each year to complete the elementary school grades.
“Our brown bears will one day change the world,” Frazier said. “You will see the big brown bear, and you will be surrounded by nothing but love.”
Understanding the Needs of Women: This Black Woman Founded a Morning-After Pill Brand
Amanda E/J Morrison is changing the face and narrative of healthcare with her newest business endeavor Julie, a morning-after pill company.
Understanding the needs of women, Morrison co-founded Julie alongside Julie Schott and Brian Bordainick to create a more accessible morning pill. In addition, the brand strives to curate a space for conversations and education around emergency contraception.
Morrison, who spoke at BE’s Small Business Summit last year, invited BLACK ENTERPRISE to join in on the conversation.
From Beauty to Health and Wellness
The former Mented Cosmetics co-founder said the Julie pill shares a similar mission to the beauty collection.
“I saw that women of color felt left out of the beauty industry and were playing chemist alone in their bathrooms to find the right shade,” Morrison tells BLACK ENTERPRISE in an email.
“No access to products that worked and no community to share with. In all areas of life it is critical to feel seen and heard and that connection is what most women crave. I saw this same void in access, education, and dignity within the emergency contraception space—and we want Julie to fill that,” she added.
Julie’s Morning After Pill
Discussions about Julie started in the fall of 2021, as a result of a decade-long hiatus of any innovation in this product’s market.
Julie’s pill is made with Levonorgestrel 1.5mg, an FDA-approved, progestin-only emergency contraceptive that is also found in other brands. The drug was first released in 1999 as an over-the-counter contraceptive.
“What sets the brand apart is that there hasn’t been any innovation in this product market in more than a decade,” Morrison says. “Now, the conversation about what the pill is and how it works is in need of a refresh, with a perspective shifted toward a younger consumer. Julie is that refresh.”
Morrison says the company’s goal begins with educating women on what the morning-after pill is and the importance of making it completely accessible.
“Obviously, in a post-Roe world, we see the goal of Julie as even more important,” she shared. “It is not abortion, and it’s legal in all 50 states, without ID or a prescription.”
As women in some states have fewer options for family planning available to them, it’s more critical than ever that women are informed about all of their options when it comes to pregnancy prevention.
Through Julie’s one-to-one program, the brand aims to be the largest emergency contraception donor, as it will collaborate with local and state partners to donate one pill for every pill purchased.
Julie challenges the stigmas associated with the morning-after pill by providing learning resources and pushing acceptance.
“Women often go through the experience of deciding to buy the morning-after pill alone. And yet, nearly everyone has either gone through it themselves or knows someone who has. So we want to help women realize this experience is actually a shared one. At Julie, we want to provide people with products that are easy in every way: easy to find, easy to take, easy to relate to, and easy to understand.”
In addition, the brand seeks to spark open and informative conversations among younger generations about sex and the different options women have.
“Education about the morning-after pill is a key part of the refresh Julie is looking to bring. There is a huge misconception that the morning-after pill is the same as an abortion pill—and we found this to be true through our own research,” Morrison explains.
According to statistics provided by Morrison:
61% of women 18-35 say emergency contraception (EC )prevents a pregnancy (with ~39% saying it ends a pregnancy, both prevents and ends, or were unsure)
48% of women 36-45 say EC prevents a pregnancy (with 52% saying it ends a pregnancy, both prevents and ends, or was unsure)
“So, our goal is to educate more women about what the morning-after pill is and isn’t so that they can make more informed decisions—starting from once you see the product on shelves. The box has a QR code customers can scan to pull up an FAQ from our website that is honest and to the point. We’ve also brought on a fabulous medical board that we’ll be tapping into for social content and to help guide us on future moves,” she adds.
‘Everyone Knows a Julie’
The health and wellness professional revealed the inspiration behind the naming of the pill saying, “We knew we wanted it to be a woman’s name, and during focus groups, someone said, ‘Everyone knows a Julie. She’s friendly.’ And we thought that’s perfect!”
The company’s mission was for women to see the product as approachable, always leading with learning and acceptance.
“When I think of who Julie is, I think of the friend you can always talk to. She’s your older sister, best friend, your auntie who has been around the block and will tell you how it is without judgment.”
The Idea Behind Julie’s Vibrant Packaging
Morrison shared that specifics for Julie’s packaging and branding were very important during the production process.
“We heard from women that there is a second walk of shame when going to pick up the morning-after pill,’ she says. “There is that walk when you go to the aisle, and you pick up the national brand, and everybody now knows that one plan failed, and now you’re here to “correct” that mistake. There is so much shame inherent in that walk, and now you have to go to the cashier and potentially feel judged. And if you’re from the South or the Midwest or live in a small town where things are already difficult to talk about, now we’re adding another layer.
“What we’re trying to do is give you a little confidence in that walk. Let’s give you a box that’s as beautiful as the other personal care products you’re gonna pick up. It’s very impactful for people to feel like they have the confidence to go to the store and buy the thing they need, and they’re not gonna have some retribution from that.”
Women Need To Know This About Emergency Contraception
Morrison reiterated that the morning-after pill is not an abortion pill. However, it contains an FDA-approved medicine that helps prevent pregnancy. She believes women must understand that the pill is nothing to ashamed of.
“At Julie, we want to give people the language to better understand what emergency contraception is so that they can have open and honest conversations and be more informed when making decisions,” she says.
Amanda E/J Morrison is the Co-Founder & President of Julie Products Inc. a modern women’s pharmaceutical company focused on empathy and education to help change the face and narrative of healthcare. Previously the Chief Marketing Officer at Underlining, a premium brand studio launching innovative brands across multiple beauty and wellness verticals. She is the co-founder and serves on the board of Mented Cosmetics, a pigment-first beauty brand celebrating women of all hues. A graduate of Howard University and Harvard Business School, Amanda is excited to be an entrepreneur focused on digital strategy and brand building. With a myriad of experiences in finance, consumer marketing, Amanda is very involved in her community through involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, The Junior League of New York, 25 Black Women in Beauty, and Howard Alumni Association.
Tyler Perry Blasts Outlet For False Claims Janet Jackson and Jill Scott Are Holding Up a Movie
Tyler Perry took time out of his busy day to shut down a publication that seemingly fabricated his response to a question about the third installment of Why Did I Get Married?
Perry was recently asked by ET about making the third installment of one of his more popular films that stars himself along with the likes of Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, and more. When asked if there are plans for another Why Did I Get Married film, Perry noted how he’s waiting on approval from the two songstresses on the cast.
“If Janet [Jackson] and Jill Scott say ‘yes,’ there may be a Why Did I Get Married Again?” Perry said.
“So, waiting for them to say it. Waiting for the word.”
Once Scott caught wind of Perry’s response, she sent out a tweet confirming her excitement and involvement in a third installment to the film series.
“@tylerperry , @MichaelJaiWhite @LammanRucker @tashasmith4real @richjonesactor and Sharon Leal already said yes??” Scott tweeted.
“I just got a text message yesterday. Hey @JanetJackson did you get a text message?”
However, once the word was out, one outlet picked up the news and said Perry was calling out Jackson and Scott for “holding up” the third film. Perry posted a screenshot of the article and shut down the claims, as captured by Atlanta Black Star.
“I guess people write these kinds of headlines for click bait. It’s sad,” Perry wrote in an Instagram Story post blasting the article.
“I didn’t call out Janet and Jill and they’re not holding up another “Why Did I Get Married.”
Perry shared how he has yet to draft a script for the third film but does have a concept in mind.
“We’re all fully grown now and I think some of our marriages would be solid and we would be dealing with what most married couples are dealing with at our ages,” he explained.
The billionaire filmmaker noted some of the life circumstances he would be open to tackling in the third installment.
“Menopause, mid-life crisis, our kids going off to start their own lives and marriages and our parent getting older and also how as you mature in marriage it just starts to get better or fall apart,” he wrote.
He ended his message by confirming that Jackson nor Scott are holding up the possibility of a third installment.
“No one is holding up anything and I’m not calling anyone out. Stop it,” Perry quipped.
Sounds like Why Did I Get Married 3 might be on the way.
A Malawi University Nullifies Woman’s Degree After She Lights It On Fire In Viral Video
Landing a job after college graduation is not always easy. But a young Malawian woman proved she had had enough and took her frustrations out on her degree certificate.
Exploits University in Lilongwe, Malawi, has completely nullified a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration awarded to its unemployed graduate, Bridget Thapwile Soko, for setting her certificate on fire in a viral TikTok video, according to Malawian news publication, Nyasa Times.
The footage, uploaded by Africa Facts Zone, shows Soko sitting by a fire while holding her degree to the burning flames. The post confirmed that the woman was upset about her struggles of gaining employment or even an interview following her academic achievement.
“Degree gone,” Soko can be heard saying in the video.
A university in Malawi has revoked a woman’s degree, after she burned her certificate on TikTok for not being able to get a job with the certificate. pic.twitter.com/7klDEE2RMG
On the other hand, Dr. Desmond W. Bikoko, the president of Exploits University, found Soko’s actions to be a “disgrace” to the university and sent a formal letter informing her of the revocation in consequence.
“We have learnt with disappointment that you recorded a video clip burning a degree that we awarded to you upon completion of your studies with Exploits University and posted to social media,” the letter reads.
“It is our interpretation that you did this to disgrace and tarnish the image of the university. The university is therefore revoking the degree of business administration awarded to you. Consequently, you are no longer a graduate of Exploits University and as such your degree certificate is invalidated with immediate effect,” the letter continued.
While some people may not agree with Soko’s actions, they also expressed their contempt against the university for retaliation.
“Revoking an awarded degree is a serious matter that cannot be driven by emotions. This has been a big fail by the university if the letter is genuine,” said Facebook user Kondwani Chirembo, per Nyasa Times.
“This is not an honorary degree and what she has committed is not academic misconduct,” Francis Chiumia also shared on Facebook.
Highly Sought-After Designer Barbara Clarke Ruiz Drops Activewear Private Label Collection at Kohl’s
Serial entrepreneur Barbara Clarke Ruiz is one of the most sought-after apparel designers in the activewear industry.
(Image: Kohl’s)
With over 20 years of experience, her portfolio of bold and versatile athletic apparel and sportswear designs has now inspired the latest Tek Gear capsule collection at Kohl’s.
“I am filled with gratitude and truly humbled by this opportunity,” Clarke Ruiz tells BLACK ENTERPRISE. “This is one of my childhood dreams and if my Mom were still here, she would be so very proud of me.”
The limited-edition collection features vibrant colors and buttery soft fabrics for men, women, and kids to stun in. From body-positive fits to statement-making prints, Ruiz designs “thoughtfully.”
“Whenever I design collections, I hope that people will love them and with Kohl’s, it is no different! This collection will be a vehicle that would allow customers who haven’t shopped in Kohl’s before to visit the store and be introduced to some new fashion-forward items that could turn out to be wardrobe favorites,” she says.
“Thoughtfully designed, I want the collection to inspire and uplift anyone who has ever had a dream and followed it.”
Clarke Ruiz, the CEO and creative director of BCSWIRL, Inc., talked more with BLACK ENTERPRISE about the collection and her entrepreneurial background.
(Photo courtesy of Barbara Clarke Ruiz)
How does your background in branding and consulting give you the leverage to further explore your creative entrepreneurial endeavors, including the Tek Gear capsule collection?
When I pitch to a new client, it is my list of global clients, my portfolio, and my hybrid ability to design across many categories and speak to the market that gives me the advantage.
I was presented with the opportunity to design a capsule collection with Kohl’s by an executive who hired me at another company over 10 years ago. We re-connected on Linkedin and the rest is history—creating new products, new brands, and new collections, while getting to utilize all my transferable skills.
(Photo: Kohl’s)
How does your passion for fashion design align with Kohl’s inclusivity and body diversity goals?
Our philosophy is the same regarding all shapes and sizes being beautiful and being celebrated. We agreed that it was important to use a curvier fit for this collection to make sure that every woman was represented. This ultimately culminated in an extensive range of sizes up to 3X.
My vision was clear about not wanting a lot of bodycon silhouettes so, instead, we offer a sports bra and capri, allowing the Kohl’s woman or man to live in the clothes with comfortable soft fabrics and a looser fit. Both of which were a priority for the BCR collection.
(Photo: Kohl’s)
In the fashion world, we have seen designs stolen and rebranded. How do you stay motivated to continue to own your designs amidst all of that?
First, it is terrible and completely unethical when someone takes another designer’s hard work and passes it off as their own. It casts a dark cloud over the fashion industry, and it can make any designer feel apprehensive about sharing their work.
But despite moments like these, I still try to stay motivated to continue my work through my creativity, the process, and the collections I am designing. I am passionate about what I do in the activewear space, and I must be true to that. I cannot worry about the things I cannot control or change.
What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned in entrepreneurship that still help you today?
The transition from starting my premium dog treat company to opening my design studio has been a journey full of twists and turns. I started BCSWIRL, Incorporated, my activewear design studio, about 20 years ago, and I started Lick You Silly pet products approximately four years ago.
Since the start of my career, some of the biggest lessons I have learned have been to listen to my gut, to not be afraid to step out on faith and to ask for what I wanted because I was disappointed every time I did not. I also learned that contacts and relationships are social capital and must be handled with care.
What advice do you have for aspiring designers who want to work with global brands?
If you want to work with global brands, tag them in your posts and connect with brand managers on Linkedin. Be clear about your requests to these companies and write a compelling email. If writing isn’t a strong suit, hire someone on Up Work or Fiverr to help you write it.
These companies are constantly being pitched so, make sure you can bring unique propositions to the table. It may require you to send the email numerous times but above all else, don’t give up. Your blessing is on the other side.
Harlem Pastor and Major Political Force and Influential Figure Rev. Calvin Butts III Dies at 73
Rev. Dr. Calvin O. Butts III, pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and one of New York City’s most prominent religious and community leaders, passed away on Friday at the age of 73.
The Baptist church sent out a tweet on Friday, confirming Butts’ passing with no cause of death given.
“It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, lll, who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of October 28, 2022,” the church tweeted.
“The Butts Family & entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers.”
It is with profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved pastor, Reverend Dr. Calvin O. Butts, lll, who peacefully transitioned in the early morning of October 28, 2022. The Butts Family & entire Abyssinian Baptist Church membership solicit your prayers. pic.twitter.com/fBzJBoUe3v
Butts served as the senior pastor of Harlem’s Abyssinian Baptist Church for more than 30 years and spent 50 years in the ministry, CBS News reports. He took on a more advocate role in the 1980s when he founded the Abyssinian Development Corp. to redevelop the areas surrounding the church.
Butts helped to establish retail and residential buildings as part of his mission to “rebuild Harlem, brick by brick, block by block.” His activism continued in the 1990s when he condemned what he referred to as the misogyny of rap music. In 1993, he infamously had a steamroller crush hundreds of rap CDs outside the church.
In 1995, Republican Gov. George Pataki appointed Butts to two state boards that controlled economic development grants to businesses in New York. That same year, Butts invited then-Cuban leader Fidel Castro to Abyssinian, where the communist leader received a warm welcome.
Butts’ activism and religious leadership also spanned across education with Butts having served as president of SUNY Old Westbury for more than two decades, from 1999 to 2020. The respected pastor presided over Cicley Tyson’s memorial service at Abyssinian last year which was attended by Bill and Hillary Clinton and Tyler Perry.
Rev. Al Sharpton remembered Butts as a major pillar in the Harlem community.
“He was a dominant faith and academic leader for decades,” Sharpton said in a statement.
“We knew each other for more than 40 years, and while we did not always agree we always came back together.”
Saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, a true treasure. He was an educator, and a Pastor of the highest level, he served both duties for decades. We found ourselves differing at times but we’d always come back together. pic.twitter.com/2Ba3olTXhO
Former Saturday Night Live Comic Chris Redd Attacked Outside NYC Comedy Club
Comedian Chris Redd, who recently left the cast of NBC‘s Saturday Night Live, was assaulted outside of a popular New York City comedy club.
According to TMZ, Redd was sucker-punched in the face earlier this week as he approached the venue he was scheduled to perform at that night. As the comic was getting out of his vehicle in front of the Comedy Cellar, a man dressed as a security guard attacked Redd.
The suspect hit him in the face and left him with a bloody nose before fleeing the scene. This took place on Wednesday around 9:40 p.m. Redd was rushed to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, where he received treatment.
Police officers were reportedly on patrol in the area and were quickly on the scene after the attack.
Blood was on the sidewalk as a bystander took a video after the incident.
The suspect tried to steal a Greg Yuna chain off Redd’s neck. The links from the jewelry fell to the ground when he tried to snatch it. The chain was recovered after he ran off. TMZ reported that Redd was dating former castmate Kenan Thompson’s wife, Christina Evangeline. Earlier this summer, BLACK ENTERPRISE revealed that Thompson filed for divorce from Evangeline.Upon hearing that Redd was leaving Saturday Night Live, it was speculated that it was due to the comedian hooking up with Thompson’s estranged wife, but sources state that wasn’t the case. In fact, several projects outside of SNL led to his decision to leave. He has a planned stand-up special with HBO Max and an Audible project with Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels.
Despite Thompson filing divorce papers, Redd’s romance with Evangeline hasn’t created any hard feelings with Thompson as he has been dating other women as well. The couple has been dating for over a yea,r while Thompson and Evangeline have been living separate lives for three years.
Mastercard Takes Black Enterprise Behind the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Premiere in Hollywood
The Black Excellence was on full display at Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverpremiere in Hollywood and BLACK ENTERPRISE was on the purple carpet to experience it all.
Courtesy of Mastercard’s support of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and its Strivers Initiative, the company invited business owner Egypt Otis to experience the star-studded event and share how the initiative has helped amplify her Flint, Michigan-based Comma Bookstore & Social Hub.
Otis, who serves as the face of Mastercard’s Wakanda-inspired commercial that is airing nationwide, enjoyed high-vibrational moments with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars all while promoting her bookstore that aims to empower the Flint community through literacy, programming, and culture-focused events that enrich and impact their lives.
“It’s been an honor to be part of this strivers initiative,” Otis tells BLACK ENTERPRISE.
“I feel very fortunate to be given a platform that Mastercard has created to amplify the various needs of Black woman business owners.”
Otis shared how “empowered” she feels by the initiative that has allowed her the opportunity to serve a heroic role in Mastercard’s new Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever commercial and enjoy guest appearances on Jennifer Hudson’s new talk show.
“I feel very empowered and just grateful for the overall experience so that I can hopefully become an example of the wonderful things that Mastercard is doing with their Strivers Initiative,” Otis says.
BLACK ENTERPRISE saw firsthand all the acclaimed Black talent, who stopped to take photos and show their support to Otis and Mastercard’s Strivers Initiative—Angela Bassett, Tyler Perry, Winston Duke, Boris Kodjoe, and more. The stars were shining on the red carpet and stopped to share a moment with the Black business owner on the red carpet.
The night concluded with a special screening of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever that was attended by the entire cast and superstar Rihanna who debuted her song “Lift Me Up,” which serves as the main score for the new film.
The film serves as a beautiful tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman and the introduction to Wakanda’s new beginnings in wake of King T’Challa’s passing.
Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in theaters on November 11.
Take a Look: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ World Premiere Invited Kings and Queens of Hollywood
The world premiere of Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was not only a proud tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman but the moment for stars and celebrities alike to serve looks like kings and queens.
On Wednesday, the highly-anticipated Black Panther sequel invited guests to a star-studded purple carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles that was attended by BLACK ENTERPRISE. The movie is set to hit theaters Nov. 11, and yet Hollywood has already set the mood with these melanin-popping moments.
Some of the shining cast gathered for a legendary group photograph. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Alex Livinalli, and Mabel Cadena graced the purple carpet for a timeless capture.
Lupita Nyong’o attends the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Disney)(L-R) Danai Gurira and Letitia Wright attend the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Disney)Angela Bassett attends the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Actress and pro-wrestler Janeshia Adams-Ginyard stepped onto the scene Wednesday night with a powerful tribute of Boseman painted on her back. A portrait of his face beamed as she completed the epic tribal look with full body paint and colorful braids.
Adams-Ginyard played a member of the Dora Milaje in the first Black Panther movie. Now her character will be called Nomble, according to People.
Boseman, who portrayed the iconic King T’Challa, battled colon cancer and died in 2020 at the age of 43.
Director Ryan Coogler dealt with the passing hard and couldn’t imagine making another Black Panther movie. But he stood strong and donned in an all-white pants suit at the premiere. He paired it with a necklace and pendant with Boseman’s face on it.
(L-R) Tyler Perry, Ryan Coogler and Zinzi Evans attend the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood, California on October 26, 2022. (Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney)
Rihanna may be busy, but not too busy to show out like she did on the purple carpet. Her boyfriend, A$AP Rocky, joined her in a color-matching ensemble and all smiles. The beauty mogul also graced the premiere to claim her vocal prowess on the Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
Rihanna and A$AP Rocky attend Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at Dolby Theatre on October 26, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
On Wednesday, Rihanna released a teaser of the song, titled “Lift Me Up,” which will be released by her own Westbury Road label in partnership with Roc Nation, Def Jam Recordings, and Hollywood Records, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.
Another head-turning moment included Michael B. Jordan‘s controversially bright yellow wide-legged pants suit. His presence dripped in confidence, although some people have voted against his stylist.
Michael B. Jordan attends Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever” world premiere at Dolby Theatre on October 26, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Pfizer Defends Minority Fellowship Program, Which Is Facing a Discrimination Lawsuit
In the wake of a lawsuit, Pfizer is defending its minority fellowship program.
AOL reports the pharmaceutical giant urged a Manhattan federal judge to dismiss a request for an injunction against Pfizer filling its Breakthrough Fellowship Program’s 2023 class which enrolls Black, Hispanic, and Native American medical students. In a Tuesday night filing, Pfizer added the two-year program has helped historical discrimination and racism in the workplace as well as recruiting, retaining and promoting minorities in the medical industry.
The request for an injunction was filed by Do No Harm, a national association of medical professionals that, in an ironic twist, is arguing the program discriminates against white and Asian Americans.
Pfizer’s fellowship program aims to enroll 100 fellows by 2025 as part of a commitment to boost minority representation. Fellows in the program receive two years of full-time jobs, fully-funded master’s degrees and employment at Pfizer in New York after completing the program
“There exists a strong public policy in favor of voluntary affirmative action plans,” Pfizer said according to AOL. “At a minimum, the public interest favors preserving the status quo.”
In its complaint, Do No harm said Pfizer’s program was discriminatory on its face,” violating several civil rights laws and a federal ban on racial discrimination by companies that accept government healthcare reimbursements.
Pfizer said Do No harm lacked standing to sue and could not show irreparable harm.
The racism and discrimination against Black medical professionals spans generations and according to the Associated Press, even today, Black doctors across the U.S. commonly experience discrimination, ranging from microaggressions to career-threatening disciplinary actions. Additionally, bias, whether conscious or not, is magnified in the hospital environment and aids in the underrepresentation of Black doctors.
“Too many of us are worried about retaliation, what happens when you say something,” Dr. Rachel Villanueva, president of the National Medical Association (NMA), which represents Black doctors, told the AP. “We have scores of doctors that are sending us letters about these same discriminatory practices all the time and seeking our help as an association in fighting that.”
Even the NMA’s origins are the result of racism and discrimination as Black doctors were excluded from the American Medical Association (AMA) and were forced to start their own organization. In 2008, the AMA apologized for its history of racism.
