Al Roker Celebrates Autistic Son’s Church Sermon Ahead of His College Journey
by Atiya Jordan

May 24, 2022

Al Roker Celebrates Autistic Son’s Church Sermon Ahead of His College Journey

Al Roker, longtime Today anchor and proud dad, is watching his 19-year-old son shine right before his eyes.

On Sunday, Roker excitedly shared a video of his son, Nick Roker, a high school graduate and incoming college freshman, delivering a personal sermon from the pulpit of St. James’ Church in New York, Today reported.

 

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A post shared by Al Roker (@alroker)

“I wanted to share just a small part of our son, Nick’s, sermon today at church,” the 67-year-old father wrote alongside a clip he posted to Instagram. “I could not be prouder of who he is and what he has accomplished. His parents are proud and I know his grandparents are looking down and are even prouder.”

In the video clip, Nick shared his journey of challenges and achievements.

“Today I am 19 years old and about to graduate high school,” he said. “I have a learning disability, and I have worked extra hard to get to this point. This last semester, I earned all ‘A’s on my report card. It feels really good, but my accomplishments haven’t all been about school. They have also been about perseverance here at St. James.”

According to Today, Nick is on the autism spectrum. Although he had to work harder in school, church was his happy place.

“I have always felt loved and supported here,” he explained. “I am happy and feel accomplished after each service…I feel empowered here and welcome. I am accepted here for who I am.”

He added, “I’m going to miss St. James and all that I have done here, but I’ll still have this experience in my heart. And when I come back home, I plan to come back to church.”

Deborah Roberts, Nick’s mom and Roker’s wife, posted her own tribute to her son, marking the day as a “Sentimental Sunday for this mama.”

“Please allow me to bask and boast a bit about our beautiful youngest, Nick,” she wrote. “After years of demonstrating what it means to show up, reach high, and press on, Nick was chosen to speak about his journey @stjameschurchnyc today. Since childhood, Nick has had the kindest heart that is bursting with warmth and wonder and wide open optimism. In everything, including church services, Nick is all in. Any Challenge is an opportunity. We have learned so much from him.”

She added, “We are bursting with pride.”

Nick’s achievements include competing in swimming with Special Olympics New York since April 2019. He won two gold medals from the Special Olympics New York Summer Games.

In his sermon, Nick revealed that he’s “a little nervous” leaving for college but “excited.” Last December, Roker and Deborah Roberts, an ABC News correspondent, announced that their son got accepted into college, People reported.

“I got accepted,” Nick proudly announced to his parents. “I’m not even kidding.” The announcement also came with two college admission offers.

Quinta Brunson, Issa Rae, and Oprah Winfrey Among Most Influential People of 2022
by Atiya Jordan

May 24, 2022

Quinta Brunson, Issa Rae, and Oprah Winfrey Among Most Influential People of 2022

It’s always a good time to celebrate influential Black people. TIME‘s 100 most influential people of 2022 has been published, categorized by artists, innovators, titans, leaders, icons, and pioneers.

From geopolitical notables to entertainers, the annual star-studded list highlights an incredible group of luminaries who have taken on new importance after two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. TIME also featured distinguished guest contributors who wrote profound tributes to the honorees.

Among those honored were Burkinabé architect Francis Kéré, Queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, award-winning actress Issa Rae, media mogul Oprah Winfrey, WNBA star Candace Parker, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, Abbott Elementary mastermind Quinta Brunson, Grammy-award winner Jazmine Sullivan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Here are some of the honorees and penned tributes:

Francis Kéré

(Image: Diébédo Francis Kéré; photo courtesy of Lars Borges)

Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye wrote in part:

“He is a trailblazer for his long-­standing commitment to ­formalizing space for both social and environmental good, and in this sense, his legacy lives not just in his built work but also in his general practice and methodological spirit.”

Oprah Winfrey

( Image: Instagram)

Former first lady Michelle Obama wrote a tribute to honoree Oprah Winfrey:

“Whether she’s talking to pop stars, Presidents, schoolgirls, scholars—or she’s asking you about your life over a glass of wine in the living room—Oprah has always had that uncanny ability to open us up, to hear beyond our words, and to uncover a higher truth, to be vulnerable with us in a way that allows us to be vulnerable back. That’s her secret. But what I love most about Oprah is that she has never been content to keep it for herself.”

 

Quinta Brunson

(Photo:  Rozette Rago)

Four-time NBA champion LeBron James honored Brunson:

“Quinta Brunson is more than a writer, producer, actor, and comedian. She’s a student and a master of her craft. A game changer in network television. Smart and funny as hell, in that order. She’s a Swiss Army knife that can—and does—do it all.”

 

Mia Mottley

Photograph by Camila Falquez for TIME

Honoring Mottley, World Trade Organization director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala wrote in part:

“Mia Mottley is an icon in her country, having won re-election by a landslide. The Prime Minister strides boldly on the world stage. She is an embodiment of our conscience, reminding us all to treat our planet, and therefore one another, with love, dignity, and care.”

See the full TIME 100 most influential people of 2022 list here.

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 24, 2022

Rapper Lupe Fiasco Will Teach About Rap at MIT This Fall

Hip-hop recording artist, Lupe Fiasco will teach a college course at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) during the 2022-2023 academic year.

The “Daydreamin'” artist announced the news on his Twitter account several days ago.

According to Complex, Lupe will teach this fall semester. The Chicago rapper will take part in its MLK Visiting Professor Program for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Lupe will teach with associate professor of theater, Eunice Ferreira and documentary filmmaker Louis Massiah.

This is not the first time the Food and Liquor emcee has been involved with MIT. Lupe previously ran the “Code Cypher” programming competition a few semesters back. He had been teaching rapping ciphers in a “computational way” alongside professor of digital media Nick Montfort.

Lupe’s last recorded album, Drogas Wave, was released in 2018. He plans to release his latest project, Drill Music In Zion, June 24.

HipHopDX reported that someone on Twitter reacted to the MIT that attending his course would amount to a “useless” degree. But, in a since-deleted Twitter response, he wrote, “Syllabus isn’t built yet but I’m thinking [there’s] fruit to be had in looking at neuromorphic computation through the lens of rap as a lossless data compression model with a dash of energy efficiency via refining Landauer’s principle applied to cytoarchitectonics. And some rapping…”

Seven Franchises to Consider with Black Ownership Potentially Immune to Recession
by Jeffrey McKinney

May 24, 2022

Seven Franchises to Consider with Black Ownership Potentially Immune to Recession

Hawkish Federal Reserve rate increases, robust stock market declines, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war are among the headwinds that have raised fears the U.S. might be headed for a recession this year.

While there is no certainty such a slump will occur, red flags are being raised that could have negative impacts on many businesses. However, there are some recession-resistant franchises to consider that could potentially counter an economic downturn.

An independent research firm serving the franchise sector, Franchise Business Review (FBR) announced the Top 100 Recession-Proof Businesses for 2022. Franchises listed last month were identified based on “survey feedback from over 32,000 franchise across over 300 brands over the past 18 months.”

Eric Stites, chief executive officer of Franchise Business Review, provided BLACK ENTERPRISE a list of seven franchises as the most diverse brands from his firm’s recession-proof list. They range from the commercial cleaning 360clean franchise to drive-thru restaurants Checkers and Rally’s to restaurant franchise Tropical Smoothie Cafe.

“I would recommend any of the brands on our Recession Proof list, and these seven have the highest representation of Black franchise owners,” he says. Along with high franchisee satisfaction, he added all have higher than average Black ownership representation, which is around five percent for most franchises.

Franchising has been popular among Black entrepreneurs for years as an operating business model. Roughly 26 percent of franchises are owned by people of color, versus 17 percent of independent businesses generally, Oxford Economics figures show.

Based on a news release, franchises on the list weighted heavily toward industries that are “need-to-have” services versus “nice-to-have” services that consumers are less likely to cut back on during a downturn. At the same time, similar to any other investment, there is no guarantee how successful a franchise might be.

“While no business is 100 percent recession-proof, these franchise businesses have demonstrated that they are very recession-resistant based on past performance,” Stites says.

He provided a list of brands he recommended when asked which ones he would consider for African Americans that might be more immune to recession. The AA percent is the approximate percentage of Black owners within each brand based on FBR survey data.

Brand                                                            AA percent

360clean                                                                        49%

Realty ONE Group                                                        21%

Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services            15%

Checkers and Rally’s                                                    12%

Anago Cleaning Systems Master Franchise            12%

Oasis Senior Advisors                                                  10%

Tropical Smoothie Cafe                                               10%

Amid Growing Backlash, Walmart Removes Juneteenth-Themed Ice Cream From All Shelves
by Atiya Jordan

May 24, 2022

Amid Growing Backlash, Walmart Removes Juneteenth-Themed Ice Cream From All Shelves

Following the audacious release of Walmart’s Great Value Brand, Juneteenth-themed ice cream, the outcry from social media was so loud that the retail giant is pulling the product off all shelves.

According to FOX 11, Walmart has since issued an apology amid the growing backlash from social media. Twitter users shared the images of the swirled red velvet and cheesecake, featuring two Black hands with a yellow, green, red, and black background on the carton. But their reactions spoke volumes, criticizing and accusing the retailer of capitalism, racism, gentrification, and more, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported. Walmart is doing something about it.

“Juneteenth holiday marks a celebration of freedom and independence,” Walmart said in a statement to the news outlet. “However, we received feedback that a few items caused concern for some of our customers and we sincerely apologize. We are reviewing our assortment and will remove items as appropriate.”

“Share and celebrate African-American culture, emancipation and enduring hope,” said the messaging on the ice cream carton.

Juneteenth, short for “June Nineteenth”, marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to assume control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came two after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared slaves free in the Southern states.

Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States. On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth National Independence Day officially became a federal holiday after President Joe Biden signed the bill.

While Walmart addresses concerns, social media users are imploring customers to purchase Black-owned products, specifically ‘Creamalicious‘ ice cream which is on sale at Walmart, according to Newsweek. The product even features a red velvet cheesecake flavor.

 

 

Merck and Emmy-Nominated Actress Yvonne Orji Team Up To Bring Awareness Of Black Women Diagnosed With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
by Yolanda Baruch

May 24, 2022

Merck and Emmy-Nominated Actress Yvonne Orji Team Up To Bring Awareness Of Black Women Diagnosed With Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Speaking with Emmy-nominated actress Yvonne Orji, we kick off the conversation with our shared “Y” names that are so unique it becomes challenging to find personalized items in places like gift shops.

“They always leave Yvonne out, but Yolanda is there; sometimes you can find a Yolanda,” she comedically observes.

However, while manufacturers of custom items may forget “Yvonne,” the comedic actress is on a mission to ensure that the healthcare industry does not forget Black women. She is raising awareness of triple-negative breast cancer by partnering with Merck and the breast cancer advocacy community.

TNBC results in 10-15% of all breast cancers and is an aggressive type of cancer that is difficult to treat, according to Merck’s press release. Compared to white women, Black women have a high probability of dying from the disease. Non-Hispanic Black women are estimated as twice as likely to contract TNBC than non-Hispanic white women, according to the data in Merck’s press release.

Orji holds a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University. She uses her expertise by narrating a three-part web docuseries, Uncovering TNBC, that features three inspiring women diagnosed with the malady – Tiah, Damesha, and Sharon. The docuseries shares the stories of these three brave women to raise awareness of the specific challenges Black women face with the disease. The program is accompanied with educational materials that provides the necessary tools to empower Black women to  advocate for themselves when dealing with their healthcare providers.

“I know firsthand how important it is for Black women to take charge of their health and advocate for themselves. Data shows women in our community have a higher chance of developing TNBC, but we can take steps to help protect ourselves and our families,” said the actress. “I hope these stories uplift women with TNBC and inspire them to get the care they need.”

Oriji’s knowledge of how to educate, communicate, and promote health and watching her mother work as a nurse at Howard University for twenty-seven years growing up inspired her to close the health care equity gap.

“Merck sought me out, and I have a master’s in public health. So before Insecure, before the comedy specials, I was in Liberia post-conflict, working with youth populations. I did international health, I studied maternal and child health, also in school. So I’ve always been tied to the medical community or the public health community in some way, shape, or form. And whatever I align myself with something, it has to make sense, working with Black women telling their stories and making them aware that is just in alignment,” she says.

She continues: “It was just important to spread the word as much as possible [or] at least get people to ask their doctor, ‘Hey, am I at risk for this?’ Even having the ability to take ownership and be empowered to have those conversations when they get checkups, that’s why I was doing it because if you don’t know, you don’t know, but if you do know, you have an arsenal.”

Orji encourages Black women to educate themselves about the risks of developing TNBC, especially since they face healthcare disparities in the areas of inadequate breast cancer screening, insufficient access to treatment, preventive care, and educational information.

Black women must recognize risk factors such as their age, race, family history, benign mammary biopsies, genetic predisposition, weight, pregnancy after 30, and personal health history and discuss these topics regularly with their primary care provider, according to the Abramson Cancer Center.

Women can take specific measures to mitigate potential health risks by limiting their alcohol intake, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy body weight, keeping up with their yearly mammograms and additional screenings like MRIs, and following early detection guidelines.

Uncovering TNBC also provides additional strategies to help Black women overcome the obstacles they may face on their health journey. The documentary integrates culturally relevant, educational, and solution-oriented content intending to encourage patients from the moment of diagnosis to survival.

“Merck did an amazing documentary with three Black women who found out about it, got diagnosed with it, overcame it in their own way, and are being vocal about it in their communities. [There] are online resources, as well on the website, there’s a questionnaire for them. Even [if] you know the words to say, ‘Hey, print this out and take this to your doctor and just ask them these questions,’ so [women] can make sure [they] know what they are asking,” explains the Yearly Departed host.

For more information and resources, visit UncoverTNBC.com.

Meet the Founder of the Black-Owned Ice Cream Brand Being Sold at Walmart, Target, and More
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 24, 2022

Meet the Founder of the Black-Owned Ice Cream Brand Being Sold at Walmart, Target, and More

Chef Liz Rogers is the Founder, President, and Executive Chef of Creamalicious, one of the only Black-owned national ice cream brands in mass production.

She prides herself on being truly innovative with her whimsical 2-in-1 desserts that pair freshly baked pastries with homemade ice creams made with only the freshest ingredients.

She produces her ice cream in the following award-winning flavors: Aunt Poonie’s Caramel Pound Cake, Slap Yo Mamma Banana Pudding, Right As Rain Red Velvet Cheesecake, Thick As Thieves Pecan Pie, Porch Light Peach Cobbler, Grandma Gigi Sweet Potato Pie, and Uncle Charles Brown Suga Bourbon Cake.

Chef Liz crafts her blissfully Southern artisan desserts by celebrating her roots and community. Creamalicious has a special way of engaging people with memories of their favorite childhood desserts while honoring the rich history of the South. Chef Liz reveals delectable new dessert perspectives and provides a culinary experience of Southern decadence that is unique, fun, and utterly delicious.

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Chef Liz grew up under the watchful eye of her mother and grandmother which helped to hone her passion for cooking. Her never-ending love and enthusiasm led to opening hot-spot restaurants, and she has been highlighted in the media for her highly sought-after food and inspiring work with the community.

Currently, her products are being sold at thousands of locations of Walmart, Target, Meijer, Schnucks and other grocery retailers.

Learn more at the company’s official web site at SoCreamalicious.com

Also be sure to follow the brand on Instagram @SoCreamalicious

This story first appeared on Blacknews.com.

Tiffany James Used Investing To Turn $10,000 Into $2 Million, Now She Wants To Help Black Girls Do The Same
by Derek Major

May 24, 2022

Tiffany James Used Investing To Turn $10,000 Into $2 Million, Now She Wants To Help Black Girls Do The Same

Like most college graduates, Tiffany James left school with a degree and student loan debt which had her struggling.

However, in 2019, a coworker suggested she buy stock in a company named Tesla when shares were between $60 and $70. Since then, James has turned her initial investment of $10,000 into more than $2 million by adding several long-term growth companies, semiconductor chip stocks and other investments.

Now, James is working to help other Black girls achieve their financial dreams through Modern BLK Girl, a wealth-building platform for women of color. Despite her success in the stock market, James told CNBC that she still sees herself as an outsider in a world of White men with “fancy degrees.”

“For people of color, it was something that wasn’t talked about,” James told CNBC. “It’s very intimidating, it has its own unique language and if you’re not privy to that language it can be very difficult to understand.”

Millions of new investors used the COVID-19 pandemic to get into the stock market as stock trading apps such as Robinhood took off. However, 59 percent of women and 48 percent of Hispanic women don’t own stocks, mutual funds, bonds, cryptocurrency or real estate.

James and a group of millennial women are working to change that by sharing investing advice in a way that’s engaging and accessible, or what James refers to as “girlfriend talk but learning stocks.”

The approach is also catching on quickly as Moden BLK Girl has more than 220,000 members. The site also hosts classes including its “1k to 100,000K in 1 yr” at just under $100 and a monthly subscription of about $130. Some classes are available for free for those who cannot afford the classes.

James said she is happy to give other Black and minority women advice on investing and the stock market, to give them financial freedom.

“If you educate a woman, you educate a village,” James said. “If a mom starts investing, she tells her kids.”

Uncover All Of Your Dog’s Allergies With This Home Test
by Black Enterprise Shop

May 24, 2022

Uncover All Of Your Dog’s Allergies With This Home Test

Owning a pet comes with a lifetime of memorable moments for pet owners and their pets alike. Dogs have earned their rightful spots as members of our families. Sometimes, we spend more time around our favorite four-legged friend than actual members of our families.

Being a responsible pet owner is paramount to the well-being and development of our pets. Proper nutrition, exercise, and training go a long way in prolonging and enhancing their lives. Finding out just what triggers your pet’s allergies is just as important.

The Allergy Test My Pet Kit – for dogs only – allows you to find out just what triggers those allergies. For a limited time, you can purchase this kit for $69.99. That’s a savings of 35% from its MSRP ($107.99).

Pet allergies have left many pet owners with exorbitant vet bills. This easy-to-use allergy test kit discovers all of the things that lead to itchy skin, upset stomachs, and other irritants. It uncovers your dog’s unique intolerances and sensitivities for nearly 100 factors. You’ll also discover which foods to avoid in your pet’s diet along with common household and environmental factors affecting your pet’s well-being.

The kit ships to you with bubble wrap, paper, and a saliva collection device with a non-toxic buffer. Dogs shouldn’t be on any antihistamines, apoquel, or steroid-based medications for a minimum of one week and up to two weeks before taking your sample or it will affect the results.

Once your dog’s test is completed, you’ll receive a custom analysis of around 100 food and environmental items that your pet may have sensitivities to and a list of foods and household products you should avoid.

Five reviewers have rated this product 4.5 stars.“Lincoln was used as a test dog for the Allergy Test. We didn’t think he was allergic to anything. Turns out he reacts to yogurt and other dairy products. So good to know!” writes verified reviewer L. McMillon.

When it comes to the well-being of your pet, there’s no such thing as being too safe. Purchase this kit today and know exactly what triggers your dog’s allergies and how to prevent them from happening.

Prices subject to change.

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump’s Documentary, ‘Civil,’ To Hit Netflix On Juneteenth
by Derek Major

May 23, 2022

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump’s Documentary, ‘Civil,’ To Hit Netflix On Juneteenth

A new documentary on the life and career of civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Civil, will hit Netflix on Juneteenth.

Crump, who has represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, announced the film will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival June 12 before becoming available on the Netflix App a week later.

https://twitter.com/AttorneyCrump/status/1528375891981651969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

According to the site, Civil is “an intimate vérité look following the life of maverick civil rights attorney Ben Crump as he challenges America to come to terms with what it owes his clients—including the families of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.”

The film is produced by Kenya Barris and directed by Nadia Hallgren, who was nominated for two Emmys for her Michelle Obama documentary Becoming. The film will also be one of the first shown at the 2022 American Black Film Festival, which was held virtually last year but will return to Miami this year.

“We are thrilled to open the festival with Civil, a timely documentary bringing light to issues of social justice and equity in America,” Nicole Friday, festival producer and president of ABFF Ventures LLC, said in a statement. “We’ve curated an entertaining and thought-provoking lineup of features, documentaries, and web series and I am so excited to share our content with a live audience again.”

Crump, who has been called Black America’s attorney general, is currently focused on the Buffalo supermarket shooting that left 10 Black people dead. The attorney said last week he plans to sue the gun manufacturer of the weapon that was used and the parents of the shooter, Payton Gendron.

“We absolutely intend on going after the gun manufacturers, the gun distributors, and anybody else who was an accomplice to this young, 18-year-old white supremacist,” Crump said.

Additionally, Crump is helping Black homeowners in a class-action racial discrimination lawsuit against Wells Fargo over the bank’s loan practices.

 

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