• News

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 5, 2022

Black Women’s Health Imperative Statement on Leaked SCOTUS Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade

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Byllye Avery, founder of the National Black Women’s Health Project and its successor the Black Women’s Health Imperative, and Linda Goler Blount, president and chief executive officer of the Black Women’s Health Imperative, issued the following statement in response to the leaked Supreme Court majority opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, according to a press release:

“We at the Black Women’s Health Imperative, the first and only national non-profit solely dedicated to achieving health equity for Black women in America, are dismayed to learn that the U.S. Supreme Court majority has drafted an opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. If affirmed, this decision will have life-altering ramifications for all Americans, but especially Black women.”

“Roe has given Black women the bodily autonomy we’ve historically been denied. In so doing, the landmark decision has contributed to the physical, emotional and financial health of millions of Black women. If issued, the Court’s opinion will jeopardize that autonomy and the advancement of Black women in this country.”

“Overturning Roe v. Wade will mean that there will be a small patchwork of states that provide abortion services. This will significantly limit access to women who are financially challenged and can’t afford to travel across state lines to obtain reproductive health care. The decision will also negatively impact the lives of the most vulnerable of us — our young Black girls who are victims of incest, rape and sex trafficking and are not yet ready for parenting.”

“This outcome would be particularly devastating for Black women, who already face massive hurdles to receiving abortion services and are more than three times as likely to die during childbirth as white women. We know that the single most cited reason Black women give for seeking abortion care is the inability to afford a child.  If Roe is indeed overturned, they and their children would likely be condemned to a lifetime of poverty and poor health outcomes.”

“Today, we must remind ourselves that while abortion is still legal in all 50 states, we must fight to protect Black women’s right to bodily autonomy and their physical and economic wellbeing.”

“The decision seems likely — but it is not final.”

“Thus, the Black Women’s Health Imperative urges the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade — and the decades of progress made by Black women.”

“We encourage every person who is concerned about women losing the ability to make the most basic health and wellness decisions for themselves and their families to raise their voices. Join our movement to advocate, call their representatives and support our partners at Liberate Abortion in peaceful protests at the Supreme Court steps. We must uphold Roe.”

For more information on what you can do before that final decision, visit https://www.liberateabortion.org and https://bwhi.org/take-action.

• Women

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

May 5, 2022

2022 ‘Defend Black Women’ March Announced for July 29-July 31 in Washington, D.C.

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I Support Black Women campaign Creative Director Trinice McNally, and Black Women Radicals Executive Director Jaimee Swift have announced that the 2022 “Defend Black Women March” will take place Friday, July 29 through Sunday, July 31, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

The goal of the march is to celebrate, center and highlight the life, leadership and legacy of Afro-Brazilian bisexual feminist, politician, activist and human rights defender, Marielle Franco, as well as the power of Black feminisms in the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean.

Globally, Black women face unprecedented amounts of violence: More than 20 percent of Black women in the United States are raped during their lifetimes — a higher share than among women overall. In Brazil, 61 percent of the women murdered by police between 2005 and 2015 were Black women, despite representing 24.5 percent of the population,. In Nigeria, 30 percent of girls and women between the ages of 15 and 49 are victims of sexual abuse. This violence against Black women and gender expansive people is a global epidemic, one that has only been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It is an urgent imperative that our solidarity and movement building in the U.S. are connected with and to Black women and gender expansive people in Latin America, the Caribbean, on the African continent and other parts of the African Diaspora,” Swift said.

“Multiform violence against Black women and gender expansive people is pervasive. As a Black woman born and raised in the United States, and whose research centers on Black feminisms in Brazil, it is my duty to build community with other Black women and gender expansive folks across space and place so that we can not only learn together, but so we can also get free together.”

“As a Black queer migrant and survivor, I believe it is critical that we are interrogating the varying systems of violence that oppress Black women and gender-expansive people across borders,” said McNally.

“As a British-Jamaican woman growing up in the United States, it was often challenging to be in classrooms and movements that didn’t teach about the leadership and resilience of Black women like Nanny of the Maroons, Carlota Lukumi or Mama Tingo. For me, this march is personal because defending Black women is about Black women, everywhere, not just in the United States. There are so many lessons, and experiences we can pull on and learn from to expand our ideas around movement building to transnational solidarity.”

The Defend Black Women March weekend will begin on K St. N.W., with the march and rally kicking at Malcolm X Park (Meridian Hill Park), and ending at Black Lives Matter Plaza, a two-block-long pedestrian section of 16 St. N.W.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Derek Major

May 5, 2022

Settlement Reached! Majority Black Town Avoids Finances Being Taken Over By Tennessee

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On Wednesday, the small, majority-Black town of Mason, Tennessee, announced that it reached a deal that would stop a state takeover of its finances.

The Johnson City Press reports the agreement, described as a settlement by the NAACP, is a win for the town, which alleged the state was unfairly scrutinizing the town’s finances.

“This settlement agreement is a good thing for the citizens of the town and it’s a good thing for African Americans across the country,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson told the Press.

In February, Comptroller Jason Mumpower asked leaders in Mason to surrender its charter due to years of financial mismanagement. After Mason voters refused, Mumpower said the state would take over the town’s financial supervision.

The situation became national news after many pointed out the town is located near the site of a new $5.6 billion Ford electric vehicle factory expected to create more than 7,000 jobs for the area between the construction and running of the plant. The town, which had less than 1,500 people according to the 2020 Census has since fallen under 800 due to the closing of a private prison.

Town leaders quickly filed a lawsuit against the takeover and received the help of the NAACP challenging a state edict that Mason receive state approval to spend more than $100, which town leaders said would set them up for failure.

Under the settlement, Mason officials will alert the state of any non-payroll expenditures over $1,000 and will have to file monthly reports to the state. Additionally, the settlement will cut the town’s monthly payment on what is owed to its water and sewer funds from $10,000 to $5,100.

The settlement still needs to be approved by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin. In a statement, Mumpower agreed with the settlement.

“Mason’s agreement to a new corrective action plan is a significant step in restoring the town’s financial health,” Mumpower said in a statement. “Most importantly, if Mason follows this plan, taxpayers can know their leaders are being good stewards of their money.”

A radio personality at the country’s first Black radio station in Memphis has recently passed away.

According to The Memphis Commercial Appeal, radio personality Bobby O’Jay, who was on Memphis’ WDIA, died at 68. His cause of death was not mentioned.

The station confirmed his passing on its Facebook page.

“It is with great sadness we share the passing of the Legendary Bobby O’Jay. Bobby was a trailblazer in the industry as well as a legacy in the community for multiple decades. We offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and loyal listeners during this extremely difficult time. He was such an important part of WDIA and the City of Memphis, words cannot express how truly missed he will be.”

His death surprised many as he was on the air on Tuesday morning. He was inducted into The Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame and was also the program director at WDIA.

“Bobby was steady; he was steadfast,” said one of his friends, Fred Jones, the founder of the Southern Heritage Classic. “The people in this community respected Bobby. No matter where you’d go, you’d hear people ask: ‘Did you hear what Bobby O’Jay said this morning?’ His reach was strong across the whole breadth of the community. Few can maintain that kind of impact in the radio world, which is always changing and evolving.”

The mayor of Memphis, Jim Strickland, also acknowledged O’Jay on his Twitter account.

I’m very sorry to learn about the passing of Bobby O’Jay. I know for many Memphians, including my wife, the day was not complete unless they tuned in to hear what Bobby had to say. I always enjoyed being with Bobby on his show or otherwise. pic.twitter.com/DoZ0sl9QNg

— Mayor Jim Strickland (@MayorMemphis) May 3, 2022

O’Jay stated that when he was 14, he received a visit from his first cousin, Melvin Jones, who arrived at his home in Batesville in a brand-new burgundy 1967 Mustang and a sharp set of clothes. Jones was a developing radio DJ and future radio executive. At this point, O’Jay knew he wanted to be involved in radio.

The legendary broadcaster went on to get his formal radio training from the Institute of Broadcast Arts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He started his successful career in 1972, where he worked at radio stations in Montgomery, Alabama; Milwaukee; Flint, Michigan; Chicago; Houston; and Dallas.

In 1974, he moved to Memphis and started working at WLOK-AM 134, and in 1983, O’Jay went to work for the first Black radio station in the country, WDIA. In 1949, WDIA became the first radio station in the U.S. geared toward Black audiences.

In 2018, he was inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.

“I leave a legacy behind for my family,” O’Jay stated at that time. “Here’s a guy who came from the cotton fields of Mississippi, but I’ve managed to work at some of the biggest stations in America. I have met some of the biggest stars in America. Even though there was some ups and downs, it’s been more fun than anything.”

After taking it off the table for so many years and avoiding the issue, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) finally relented and allowed student-athletes to profit off their name, image, and likeness (NIL).

Now, with boosters involved in negotiating these NIL deals, the NCAA will be cracking down on those who should not be offering pay for play by the standards of the league.

According to CBS Sports, the NCAA is making plans to crack down on boosters funding the name, image, and likeness payments, which were traditionally violations of NCAA rules before the changes took place.

NCAA Council chairman Shane Lyons spoke to CBS Sports about why the association’s ruling body is motivated to make sure boosters aren’t paying the players. They feel it can become a burgeoning scandal of “pay for play” disguised as NIL payments.

“How are they having conversations [with athletes]? They’re boosters,” Lyons said during the Fiesta Summit, a series of conference spring meetings, on Tuesday. “We’ve never let boosters be involved in the recruiting process. Where did it go off the tracks? … The collectives are boosters.”

There are now collectives of boosters, estimated to be more than 100. Some of the people heading the collectives are well known to both coaches and administrators.

One of them, John Ruiz Jr., is a University of Miami alumnus and billionaire who leads a University of Miami collective and has become the face of the NIL-collective issue.

Per the rules of the NCAA, boosters are not allowed to pay players or be included as part of a university’s recruiting process. The NCAA’s definition says that boosters act as “representatives of a school’s athletic interests.” That means that this extends to supporters who have made financial contributions to a school’s athletic department, arranged for employment of athletes, and/or assisted in providing benefits to athletes or their families.

Although he states he hasn’t heard directly from the NCAA about any violations, he told CBS Sports, “My platform is very consistent with all the rules with NCAA and state law. We probably have a more robust compliance system than the schools or the NCAA itself. I’m extremely comfortable. This is totally kosher. We have legitimate companies.”

There have been reports of boosters from various schools offering NIL deals to potential students instead of companies offering the deals. A rules subcommittee of the NCAA Transformation Committee is presently analyzing some of these agreements.

Since the change to allow students to be compensated debuted on July 1, 2021, the nine months after the official change have lived up to predictions of the recruiting terrain becoming the wild, wild West.

• Career

by Derek Major

May 5, 2022

The U.S. Labor Department Is Recruiting HBCU Graduates In A Wide Range Of Disciplines

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As graduation season swings around, many HBCU graduates are trying to figure out the first steps in their careers. One federal agency is hoping they consider a career in government.

As part of the White House Initiative on HBCU schools and graduates, agencies inside the U.S. Department of Labor, including the Women’s Bureau and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), are reaching out to HBCU grads.

Roxanne Griffith, a regional administrator with the women’s bureau, told WTOP that the agency is looking for HBCU grads with a wide range of degrees.

“For example, if someone happens to go to school for women’s studies, that would be beneficial to the Women’s Bureau,” Griffith said.

Griffith added the agency is also looking for HBCU graduates with degrees in political science, business, economics, and STEM. The agency has been holding webinars and career events to inform students and parents about opportunities within the federal government to recruit HBCU grads. The department is also holding a virtual career fair on June 24.

The labor market is at a weird point due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which left millions unemployed overnight, but eventually led to higher wages, benefits, and perks for employers amid a scramble for workers last summer. According to the Associated Press, there were more than 11 million job openings in March alone.

HBCU graduates have also been in high demand since the Black Lives Matter movement and focus on social equity. Large companies in everything from technology, banking and finance, and other industries have been recruiting HBCU talent to fill their open positions and create more diversity in their employee ranks.

Additionally, some companies are creating youth and community partnerships that can lead to HBCU scholarships and a career pipeline after graduating.

HBCU graduates are some of the most accomplished Black men and women in the world. HBCU grads account for 80% of Black judges, 50% of Black lawyers and doctors, and 25% of all Black graduates in STEM.

• Lifestyle

by Jeffrey McKinney

May 5, 2022

Dr. Owen Garrick Appointed To Help Boost Black Participation In Clinical Trials At CVS Health

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Despite the significance, research shows that less than 4% of the U.S. population takes part in clinical studies.

And while Black Americans make up roughly 14% of the nation’s population, the racial group only accounts for 3.1% of participants in clinical trials for cancer drugs. The anemic statistic is telling because researchers would expect Blacks to be participating at five times the level they currently are in such trials.

A bigger dilemma? If Blacks don’t become more proactive in participating in the clinical trial process, they miss out on the opportunity to help develop new treatments to stop early deaths and diseases in their community from illnesses such as cancer, heart problems, and diabetes, observers say.

To help counter the decades-long problem, healthcare giant CVS Health has named a Black doctor as chief medical officer of CVS Health Clinical Trial Services. In his new role, some duties for Dr. Owen Garrick are boosting the number of non-white patients and candidates enrolled in the company’s new business and overseeing its diversity efforts.

Garrick told BLACK ENTERPRISE that CVS Health opened HealthHubs recently converted into research centers to support its clinical trial services business in ethnic-rich metropolitan communities such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.

As such, Garrick reports CVS Health aims to enroll over  30,000 non-white patients into its clinical trials business by 2027. CVS Health did not disclose how much it is investing in the centers or precisely how many it has opened.

The company announced in May 2021 that it was launching the business partly to enhance the overall participant experience and boost retention with research effectiveness. Garrick joined CVS Health around that time as vice president of conduct delivery for Clinical Trial Services.

A National Institutes of Health report revealed that 75% of patients would likely participate in clinical trials had they known they were an option upon diagnosis. Yet, many of them are not aware of them, per Forbes.

The underrepresentation of Blacks in clinical trials is a big deal because it can leave them with less access to potentially life-saving drugs, observers say. Plus, some  80% of studies don’t meet participant enrollment deadlines.

Garrick says the COVID-19 pandemic has driven a much larger public conversation around clinical trials and drug development as vaccines move through the pipeline. On average, CVS Health estimates that 30% of entrants drop out before a study is done. “Retention and your continued participation in a study is critical,”  Garrick told Forbes.

BLACK ENTERPRISE caught up with Garrick to get his take on the company’s new efforts.

 Please provide some detail on what led to your clinical trial role at CVS Health?

Professionally, my aim initially was to leverage data, research, and insights to impact and change clinical behavior and look at the effectiveness of new therapies. I wanted to make an impact on a much broader scale. I evolved from wanting to help patients one at a time to investigating and launching drugs that cure millions of people worldwide. When I think about healthcare, I think of my community. My focus was on studying diverse populations, a natural part of my life mission. That’s where I began to see disparities.

What are among the factors that make clinical trials so difficult for Black Americans?

Overall, Black Americans are generally underrepresented in clinical studies. The problem of such underrepresentation has a long history. It’s partly the result of access to and awareness of clinical trials and mistrust in the healthcare system. It’s also the result of poor enrollment practices by researchers. Black patients often don’t have adequate information about trials and how they can participate. Other challenges are unseen costs, including taking time off work or getting childcare to make the visits.

In what other ways is your company enhancing its clinical trials work? 

We plan to engage more with trusted community partners, including churches, community leaders, and fraternities and sororities. We’re making sure our research physician network is more diverse. We are offering this decentralized model to our partners and sponsors seeking greater diversity in clinical trials.

What would you say the top goal is for CVS Health? 

It’s our hope that our clinical trials will be as diverse as the overall population. We want the results to make real impact and improvement in the health of minority populations, along with the overall U.S. population. Resolving this must be an industrywide effort, including getting help from medical associations,                hospitals, and patient-advocacy organizations.

• Entrepreneurship

by Julaiza Alvarez

May 5, 2022

Meet the Money Architect Representing Black Women in the Trucking Industry

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Seasoned financial expert, mompreneur, and chief executive officer of Provisions Accounting Solutions, Vanessa Gant is making history as one of the few Black women revolutionizing the trucking industry and is now dedicating her platform to helping Black-owned businesses do the same.

She was born and raised from humble beginnings in a small town called Holly Hills, South Carolina.

As a child, Gant knew she was gifted.

“I’ve always been like a really good student. So, I’ve always had all A’s and [even] got into Honors. So, [for me], school has always been really easy for me. [As a student], Math and English were my superb subjects,” Gant stated.

After growing up in a low-income, single-parent household with her two siblings, Gant took inspiration from her modest upbringing.

“I kind of got fascinated with money from the standpoint of wanting to make sure that I had enough,” Gant stated. But, it was not until years later that she would make a choice that would change her life.

“I was getting my taxes done. So, I went to H& R Block, and [they told me] I owed money. I did not believe that she knew what she was doing. So, I went home, and I did it myself, and I came up with the same thing she came up with. One of my girlfriend’s mom did taxes too. So, I gave it to her, and she came up with the same thing. [In that moment, I realized] I knew what I was doing. I had always been fascinated by numbers like [I believe] numbers tell the story. That moment was what piqued me into going into numbers more,” Gant explained.

At the time, Gant worked at a nearby manufacturing plant while raising her two boys on her own. Despite her recent divorce, she decided to put herself first and enroll in a university.

“I went to school and pursued my associates in accounting [first], and it was so easy because it was [all] numbers, and I loved it. [After that], everything just kind of took off from there,” Gant stated.

After pursuing her associates, Gant was then introduced to the trucking industry.

“A company called the career center at my school and was looking for an accountant. That job was at a freight forwarder’s office, which was my first introduction into the transportation and logistics industry. That job helped me understand what I was meant to do,” Gant explained.

This led to the creation of her nickname, “the money architect.”

“The money architect persona was created because I wanted to be able to help people build and create. I associated building and creating with an architect,” Gant stated.

As a double minority working in a male-dominated occupation, Gant often faced challenges from her employers.

“I was the only person that looked like me in the companies that I worked with in transportation, in a management position. There was one instance where I had to speak to management and let them know that while I am the only person of color and female gender in a management role, I am being paid significantly lower than my peers, and I was doing more work than what they were doing. It is very rare to see Black women in corporate positions, owning the trucks, and also operating the support companies for the industry. It is tough when we do not speak up, but we are just as talented and resourceful as they are.”

This gradual realization coupled with her innate desire to pursue entrepreneurship, propelled the model for her business, Provision Accounting Solutions.

“I named it Provision because the business is about being proactive and seeing the vision for your finances,” Gant stated. Now, she is using what was once her vision to help aspiring entrepreneurs who want to pursue a career in the trucking business with her new book, 10 Financial Mistakes That Put Truck Fleet Owners and Owner-Operators Out of Business.

“Trucking is the new shiny object. Everyone believes [all you have to do is] buy you a truck and do a couple loads, and that is what makes you a lot of money, but there are other aspects that need to be taken into consideration. The book does not just cater to someone with experience; I believe that anyone, no matter what stage you are in [in your business], can benefit from the book,” Gant said.

Gant is determined to continue to use her influence to assist Black-owned small businesses and is now releasing a series of exclusive workshops for business owners in July.

• Lifestyle

by Atiya Jordan

May 5, 2022

A Devoted Love Story: After Louisiana Woman Conquers Cancer Twice, She Gets Married For The First Time At 73

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For two-time cancer survivor, Audrey Parker Green, love has no age or limits. At 73, the resilient Louisiana woman got married for the first time to her true love.

Now, the 74-year-old and her husband, Allen Green, 75, want to inspire older individuals with their unique story and empower them to take the leap of faith in the name of love, according to PEOPLE.

“We just want to be voices for the people in their 60s, 70s,” said Allen. “Just go for it, because you don’t have to live alone in the last part of our years.”

“Keep your hands open, keep your heart opened,” Audrey advised, according to TODAY. “And somehow, some way, whatever it is that you desired, it will come. But don’t expect it to come the way you think it’s supposed to come. And above all, never, never give up in spite of the challenges.”

On the path to marriage, Audrey had expected to wed and have four children. But throughout her adult life, starting a family just didn’t come to fruition.

“I never wanted to marry very young, but I didn’t anticipate marrying this old either,” she told PEOPLE.

It wasn’t until 1996 when a divorced Allen gathered the courage to call Audrey who he remembered as a very beautiful and good person in high school.

“I said, ‘Let me take this chance,’” Allen recalled. But, at the time, Audrey didn’t show much interest.

As fate would have it, the pair reunited in November 1997 at an alumni event for Scottville High School.

“When I saw him, I said, ‘Oh my God. Here he comes,'” Audrey remembers. “If he didn’t speak to me, it would only be [us] and God that knew that he had ever tried to call me. That’s when he approached me and said, ‘Ms. Parker, I’m not letting you get away from me this easy this time.'”

For the next 20 years, Audrey and Allen’s relationship transitioned into a blossoming friendship, along with some phone romancing from Allen. Yet, the pair was hit with a lot of challenges, including her diagnosis with colon cancer in November 2002.

“I told him that if he couldn’t handle it, he could leave, and I wouldn’t hold it against him,” said Audrey, who had to move in with one of her sisters.

But Allen proved that he was in it, alongside Audrey, for the long haul.

Allen maintained his commitment, even after another set of unfortunate news. In October 2008, Audrey was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo a double mastectomy.

“He was there with me when I was going through some tough times,” says Audrey. “When one person is sick, and another person is healthy, that’s hard on both parties.”

Last year, on Audrey’s birthday, Allen got on one knee and succeeded in wowing his woman. With a resounding yes to his proposal, the couple married just a few months later on July 16, 2021.

“I felt like the queen,” said Audrey. “I had a regular wedding like a 20 or 30-year-old person,” she says. “I was not cheated for anything.”

“We really enjoy each other,” Allen said. “We love each other, and we try to do the best for each other.”

• Lifestyle

by Black Enterprise Shop

May 5, 2022

This Mother’s Day, Take Your Special Lady Out To Dinner

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Have you been struggling to find the perfect Mother’s Day gift? If you’re like most people, Mother’s Day can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Just the thought of buying someone a gift who has seemingly everything can be overwhelming. Flowers and chocolate are easy fan favorites, but your mother deserves more.

This year, give your mother a break from cooking and the opportunity to gather with family and friends for a good meal. For a limited time, you can purchase a $100 Restaurant.com eGift Card for just $18.

Treat your mother to dinner with this deal that never expires and costs just a fraction of its face value. More than 500,000 deals are included with your purchase. If there’s money still left on your card after you take your mother out to a nice dinner, she can use the remaining balance again at another physical restaurant, or she can use it for takeout or delivery.

With hundreds of restaurants available, your mother shouldn’t have any problems finding ones to try. Restaurants include House of Blues, Señor Frog’s, IHOP, and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, among other well-known national franchises and popular local hotspots.

More than 62,000 restaurants across the nation are included on Restaurant.com’s roster. Thousands of new deals are added each month. Your mother can take her gift card with her when she travels and enjoy a meal on you. It’s valid in all 50 states.

Watch this video.

Depending on how often your mother dines out, she can use this gift card next year as it never expires.

Mothers everywhere have prepared countless meals for their families over the years. This Mother’s Day, treat your mother to the well-deserved gift of having someone return the favor and cook a delicious one for her. Give your mom a gift she’ll love.

Shop more Mother’s Day deals and use code SHIP4FREE to get free shipping.

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