Never Give Up! 71-Year-Old Graduates With Masters Degree From University of South Carolina
For 71-year-old Leroy Harley, retirement isn’t in the cards right now — teaching is.
The Bowman, South Carolina, native is making headlines for recently graduating from the University of South Carolina with his master’s degree in teaching. He decided at 69 that he would embark on a new path toward his passion for education, WLTX reported.
“I really am proud of myself; I mean, I have to be,” said Harley, who graduated on Saturday afternoon.
In 1993, Harley found himself returning home to Bowman after years of moving around. He spent most of his time with his mother, who motivated him to seek a teaching opportunity at the local school. Harley took his mother’s advice and applied to Bethune-Bowman Elementary School, where he was hired as a teacher’s aide before enrolling at USC, according to 6Park News.
“Anything that was new and interesting, I became interested in it,” Harley said.
After discovering his passion for teaching, Harley pursued his degree. He credits his hard work and the support of his family for getting through.
“I thought, ‘Why am I going back to school at this age? I should be sorta coasting into retirement,” he said. “But I went on and did it anyhow.”
Harley’s sister, Patsy Rhett, told 11Alive that she is happy for her brother for following through on his heart’s desires.
“I am elated at the fact that Lee, after all these years, decided to follow his heart,” she said. “He has. Education has always been a strong part of his life.”
Harley may be 71, but he proves that passion has no age limit. He believes that if you want to pursue your dreams, do it with the belief that you are capable of learning and bringing your gifts to the table.
“I say go ahead and do it, I mean, because … you bring a lot to the table, OK?” he said. “There’s a lot you have to learn at the table, but you bring a lot to the table.”
Police Shooting Victim Jacob Blake Drops Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Against Kenosha Police Officer Who Shot Him
Two years ago, a Black man was shot in broad daylight by a police officer as he approached his vehicle with his children inside in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The unarmed man was paralyzed due to the shooting, and he filed a federal lawsuit against the police officer who shot him. This week, he dropped the lawsuit.
According to The Associated Press, police shooting victim Jacob Blake has dropped his federal civil rights lawsuit against the Wisconsin police officer, Rusten Sheskey, who shot him. The shooting left Blake paralyzed from the waist down.
The reason he dropped the lawsuit is unknown.
A person at the office of Blake’s attorney, Patrick Salvi II, hung up when questioned about why the lawsuit was dropped. Sheskey’s attorney, Kenneth Battle, had no immediate comment.
Two years ago, in August, video footage showed an unarmed Blake being shot in the back multiple times by white police officers in front of his children as he entered his vehicle in Kenosha, Wisconsin, according to Revolt.
Sheskey, who is white, shot Blake after Blake attempted to enter the vehicle his children were in at the time. Police officers stated Blake was wanted on a felony sexual assault warrant at the time.
Wisconsin prosecutors cleared Sheskey of any criminal wrongdoing and dropped the sexual assault charges against Blake as part of a plea deal. Blake filed his lawsuit last year in March 2021, alleging that Sheskey had used excessive force.
According to court records, attorneys for the two men filed notice last Friday that they had agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice. Blake can’t refile another lawsuit against Sheskey. U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller ordered the case dismissed Monday.
A year after the incident was caught on video, Blake stated that he was hopeful he would walk again.
“I’m here, and yeah, I’m about to be walking, but I really don’t feel like I have survived because it could happen to me again,” Blake admits. “I have not survived until something has changed.”
Department of Justice Investigating Six Black Men Killed During 1970 Augusta Riots
Over 50 years later, and two days ahead of the anniversary, the Department of Justice has announced an official investigation into the six Black men who were shot and killed by police officers during the Augusta Riot of 1970.
According to the DOJ’s latest report to Congress, they are investigating the killings of six Black men as part of the civil rights “cold cases” from decades ago, WJBF reports. The “Augusta Six” included John Bennett, Sammie L. McCullough, Charlie Mack Murphy, James Stokes, Mack Wilson, and William Wright Jr.
Authorities are asking for witnesses from the Augusta Riots to come forward to help in their investigation. The riots began when 16-year-old Charles Oatman was beaten to death while in police custody.
Oatman had been arrested after shooting his 5-year-old niece. At the time, authorities reported that Oatman died after falling from his bunk. However, an autopsy report found fluid in his lungs, WJBF reports. Carrie Mays, who worked as an undertaker at the time, concluded that Oatman died from being drowned.
News of Oatman’s death sparked outrage, leading to a race rebellion in the area. During the riots, six Black men were reportedly killed by police officers who shot them in their backs. However, instead of facing disciplinary action, the officers involved became leaders in their field.
“And not only were they killed, but they were also shot in their backs. And not only were they shot in the back, but all of the white police officers that shot them in their backs were promoted,” said Dr. Mallory K. Millender.
Millender was a young faculty member at Paine College during the Augusta riots and recalls one of the officers involved being named officer of the year.
“What happened to those Black men and why it happened has essentially been sanitized,” Millender said. “When you hear about the killing that happened during the riot, they rarely tell you that they were all shot in the back.”
While Oatman’s death remains a mystery, Millender is hopeful that finding justice for the six Black men murdered will at least bring some solace to their families.
“I think it will bring justice to those families of those victims who have been labeled as looters,” he said.
At 22, Lauren Simmons Became The Youngest Female And Second Black Woman At The NYSE, Here’s Her Investing Strategy
In 2017, Lauren Simmons became the youngest full-time trader at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) at just 22.
Now 27, Simmons is no longer part of the NYSE but still brings in the cash. According to CNBC, Simmons earned $650,000 last year and is on track to bring in over $1 million this year through speaking engagements, brand partnerships, a book, and even a movie deal.
Despite her experience at the NYSE, Simmons said she didn’t start trading until the stock crash of 2020, which was the result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Simmons told CNBC she lives by two principles when it comes to investing. The first is to make sure she was in good financial standing before investing, and the second is to research companies and funds where she felt her money could grow.
“I’m very cautious,” Simmons said. “I have to have the statistics, data, and information that help me make an informed decision before I invest.”
The stock market dropped significantly at the beginning of the pandemic as millions across the U.S. lost their jobs and were confined to their homes. The market eventually rebounded as the government gave millions to keep businesses afloat and millions from losing their apartments and homes.
However, the market has again gone into a significant fall in recent days and weeks as inflation continues to rise, gas prices are at record highs, and interest rates are expected to keep rising to fight off inflation. Additionally, many believe an economic recession is more of a when than an if at this point.
That cautiousness has kept Simmons out of the newest but more volatile form of investing in cryptocurrency. Simmons acknowledges cryptocurrency will become a centralized currency at some point and will stay within the U.S. economic infrastructure, but it’s highly speculative right now. For now, she’s waiting for a new form of cryptocurrency to drop that’s not bitcoin or ether.
“I think it’ll be a new one entirely,” at which point, “yes, of course I will put my money into that new digital currency,” Simmons said.
Simmons also invests in several women and Black-owned startups in the tech and beauty industries that don’t have the same access to capital as white and male-led businesses.
Greenwood Acquires The Gathering Spot, Combined Company Aiming To Serve Over One Million People
In a trailblazing deal, the fintech Greenwood acquired the private membership network The Gathering Spot in an undisclosed cash and stock purchase.
Greenwood is mainly a digital banking services platform for Black and Latino individuals and businesses. The Gathering Spot is a national private membership network that includes Black professionals, entrepreneurs, and corporations who can connect online and offline.
Atlanta-based Greenwood was founded in 2020 by rapper Michael “Killer Mike” Render, civil rights leader Andrew Young, and entrepreneur Ryan Glover. It reportedly has assets of $40 million and some 30,000 account holders. Greenwood said in a news release it is now onboarding a waitlist of over 700,000 people. It also reported that the business is working with FDIC-insured banks, allowing customers to access debit and savings accounts.
Greenwood Chairman and CEO Glover told BLACK ENTERPRISE Tuesday that Greenwood plans to fully open to the public later this year after inviting all customers from the waitlist. The app, now only available to waitlist customers, was delayed twice in giving people access to the platform since 2020.
Opened in 2016, The Gathering Spot reports it offers a network that includes creatives and provides curated experiences, exclusive content, concierge services, and access to The Gathering Spot flagship clubs that include workspaces, meeting rooms, event space, a restaurant, and bar. It has physical clubs in Atlanta, Washington DC, and Los Angeles.
Asked how the acquisition will help it grow, Greenwood’s Glover told BLACK ENTERPRISE that the “two brands joining forces will provide access to capital, wealth building guidance, business networking, and community engagement to over one million people in our collective communities.”
In a nutshell, he says, the partnership creates the largest combined fintech and community platform for Blacks and minorities. “It’s never been done before, and we believe that it’s noteworthy.”
For the Gathering Spot, the deal will give the business an entrée to financial services. “It’s something that is exciting for both the companies and the community we serve,” Ryan Wilson, co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot and chief community officer of Greenwood.
Members beyond where The Gathering Spot has physical clubs are part of “connected city” communities in New York City, Chicago, Detroit, Charlotte, and Houston. The business says they have access to in-person experiences and online content, including conversations with business and cultural leaders like Gabrielle Union, Will Packer, and Tope Awotona. Wilson says the business grew to over 12,000 individual and corporate members from about 1,000 in both categories in 2017 and zero in 2016.
Wilson, co-founder and CEO of The Gathering Spot, will continue in that role along with becoming chief community officer of Greenwood. TK Petersen, co-founder and COO of The Gathering Spot, will continue in that role and has been named a vice president at Greenwood.
“This combination of Greenwood and The Gathering Spot provides immense benefits to the members and will unlock a full range from financial education to banking and financial tools,” Petersen stated.
Greenwood board member Paul Judge stated, “The future of finance is community. The Black community has been a cultural leader for a long time. It makes sense that it has now become more of a leader in business and in the future of finance. It is an important milestone to have two Black-owned companies on both sides of an M&A transaction. It brings a new meaning to the term ‘black-on-black.’”
Greenwood CEO and Chairman Glover reflected minorities still face a lack of financial inclusion and tools. “This moment marks a significant milestone for the culture and strength within the community. “The combined efforts of Greenwood and The Gathering Spot will expand the collective power of minorities to impact the wealth gap.”
Kevin Durant Becomes Minority Investor In N.J./N.Y. Club Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League
Brooklyn Nets player and entrepreneur Kevin Durant has expanded his business portfolio by adding a professional New York sports team.
N.J./N.Y. Gotham FC of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has recently announced Durant’s Thirty Five Ventures (35V), which he co-founded with entrepreneur Rich Kleiman, have become minority investors of the team. Thirty Five Ventures has been involved with the franchise since March. They join fellow minority owners Kristin Bernert and Karen Bryant, who also joined in March. Carli Lloyd became an investor last month in April.
“As a New York-based company, the opportunity for us to partner with a forward-thinking team like Gotham FC was a no-brainer,” said 35V co-founder Kleiman in a written statement.
“There’s been so much growth in the NWSL in recent years, and the chance to be a part of that growth and work directly with the Gotham FC executive team and players is really exciting.”
“Bringing in Kevin, Rich and 35V as investors is a huge statement about the positive trajectory of our club,” said Tammy Murphy, club chair, Gotham FC.
“The level of enthusiasm they’ve displayed has been above and beyond anything we could have anticipated. We have tremendous aspirations this year both on and off the field, and, together with 35V’s support and resources, we’re going to make sure New Jersey and New York hear all about it!”
Durant and Kleiman’s investment will provide content creation, social media support, player relations, and community outreach. This adds to partnerships 35V has in women’s sports, including investment in media network Just Women’s Sports and a strategic partnership with pro sports league Athletes Unlimited. This is the company’s second investment in a professional soccer team after acquiring an ownership stake in Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union in June 2020.
The season-opening home game for Gotham FC will take place at Red Bull Arena on May 14 against Brazilian superstar Debinha and the North Carolina Courage. The game will start at 7 p.m. EST and tickets can be purchased by visiting GothamFC.com.
In March, the St. John’s Department of Athletics announced the first-ever collegiate partnership with Durant’s company, Boardroom, to further enhance the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) resources available to Red Storm student-athletes.
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Denny’s Board Chair Brenda Lauderback Receives the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award from The White House
Denny’s is pleased to announce The White House awardedBrenda Lauderback, chair of Denny’s Board of Directors, its President’s Lifetime Achievement Award on May 9 at the Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C.
Ms. Lauderback received this presidential recognition for her decades-long commitment to building stronger communities through volunteerism, according to a press release. This is the highest civil volunteerism award that’s presented by the President of the United States. Congressman James E. Clyburn (D.-S.C.) and Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg were in attendance and Dr. Kim Cliett Long presented the award on behalf of the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation and the Office of the President of the United States. Ms. Lauderback was nominated for the award by Mr. Jonathan Green, renowned artist and City of Charlestonambassador for the arts.
“I’m honored for this recognition from PresidentJoe Biden and I’m grateful to Jonathan for nominating me for this prestigious award,” said Ms. Lauderback.
“It’s been my life’s work to engage in meaningful service that makes a difference in solving some of the most pressing challenges individuals and communities across the country face each day.”
Ms. Lauderback is a member of the Sleep Number and Wolverine Worldwide corporate boards. Additionally, she is one of the National Association of Corporate Director’s Top 100 Directors. She is on the National Restaurant News’ Power List of Most Influential People in Foodservice and one of Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Women in Corporate America. She’s also been recognized for her leadership in numerous publications, including Ebony, Jet, Essence, BLACK ENTERPRISE and Forbes. In the community, she is a member of Links, Incorporated, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, CHUMS and The Girlfriends, Incorporated.
The President’s Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 2003 by executive order by President George W. Bush for individuals who have volunteered more than 4,000 hours of service to communities across the country. It was established after September 11 to recognize the service and civic contributions of Americans to their local communities.
Joining the R&B heartthrob as co-headliners will be pop band Maroon 5. NBC Sports’ Maria Taylorwill emcee the event, which will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
Beloved Benefit is a community impact event that strives to motivate positive change through greater economic mobility. This year’s benefit will also honor John Lewis, the iconic, late Georgia Congressman.
“We are thrilled that Maroon 5, Usher and Maria will join us for this iconic event in Atlanta, which brings together community members from all neighborhoods to help drive action and address the key issues facing our city,” Rodney Bullard, vice president of corporate social responsibility, Chick-fil-A, Inc in a written statement.
The event was originally scheduled for February but postponed due to concerns with the increase in COVID-19 cases earlier. The event will feature a program filled with inspiring community stories.
All of the funds raised will be allocated equally to this year’s nonprofit beneficiaries and community beacons. Each organization prioritizes economic and community development. This year’s beneficiaries include Atlanta CareerRise, Center for Employment Opportunities, The Goodr Foundation, Goodwill of North Georgia, Latin American Association, Quest Community Development Organization, The Village Market, and Westside Future Fund.
The lead sponsors for this year’s Beloved Benefit include The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, Chick-fil-A, Inc., Mercedes-Benz Stadium, The Home Depot Foundation, The WestRock Foundation, Georgia Power, Peach Bowl, Inc., Truist, The Coca-Cola Company and Sunkist Growers. Additional sponsors include AT&T, Choate Construction, Delta Air Lines, Inc., Google Data Centers, Graphic Packaging International, NCR, Walton Communities and Wells Fargo.
Usher has won eight Grammy Awards in his illustrious career, which also includes acting in television shows and movies. Since its 2002 debut album, Songs About Jane, Maroon 5 has won three Grammys.
Dr. Dre Donates $10 Million To New $200 Million Compton High School
Although he lost $200 million in a deal with Apple for his Beats By Dre product line, Dr. Dre donated $10 million to help break ground on a $200 million campus for Compton High School.
According to The Los Angeles Times, the $10 million is for the school’s new performing arts center, which will be able to seat more than 900 people. The facility will be named the “Andre ‘Dr. Dre’ Young Performing Arts Center.”
(Note: There are conflicting reports with some saying he donated $100 million, not $10 million).
“I was an artistic kid in school with no outlet for it. I knew I had something special to offer to the world, but with nothing to support my gift, schools left me feeling unseen,” Dr. Dre said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Dr. Dre attended nearby Centennial High School before transferring to Fremont High in South L.A. but he eventually dropped out of school.
“I’ve always wondered how much further ahead I might have been had the resources I needed in school were available,” he said. “If I had learned more about the business industry, I would have saved myself [an] extreme amount of time, money, and, most importantly, [made] a lot of friendships.”
The new campus for the 126-year-old school will have a new academic building that will fit up to 1,800 students, with the possibility of an additional 450 more. There will also be a new gym, an aquatics center, a football stadium, and a track field.
The rest of the project is funded through the district’s bond measure passed in 2015.
The school’s principal, Rigoberto Roman said, “This new campus that will be erected, it will be erected upon deep roots and outstanding accomplishments that have been established over decades. Let us embrace this change for the sake of our future and our children’s future. This is a type of change to celebrate.”
The opening of the newly built campus is scheduled for the beginning of 2025.
