In Celebration of National Financial Literacy Month, OneUnited Bank Announces Annual ‘I Got Bank’ Contest for Youth
Originally Posted Apr. 7, 2022 Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
In celebration of National Financial Literacy Month, OneUnited Bank, the nation’s largest black-owned bank, is proud to announce its Annual “I Got Bank!”
National Financial Literacy Contest where ten children will win a $1,000 savings account. To make financial literacy a core value of the Black community, the Bank is offering a free “I Got Bank” E-Book.
Students from across the country between the ages of eight and 12 are encouraged to read a financial literacy book of their choosing, and either write a 250-word essay or create an art project to show how they would apply what they learned from the book to their daily lives. Submissions must be emailed or postmarked by June 28, 2024. The Bank will choose ten winners and award each winner a $1,000 savings account at OneUnited.
“When an online submission is made before June 28, 2024, you will have access to a one-of-a-kind custom digital edition Black Panther Comic Book that was created by Marvel Comics and Visa, Inc. and includes financial literacy exercises developed by OneUnited Bank.” according to OneUnited
Teri Williams, OneUnited Bank President and author of “I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me About Money,” wrote the book when she found that there weren’t enough books geared toward educating urban youth about finances.
“In 2022, we launched the OneTransaction Podcast to encourage our community to focus on one transaction to close the wealth gap for their family,” states Ms. Williams.
“Our contest and free e-book encourage families to teach their children how to build wealth and make financial literacy a core value in the Black community!”
“I Got Bank! What My Granddad Taught Me About Money” is published by The Beckham Publications Group, Inc. (Beckhamhouse).
For more information about the official contest rules, please visit: www.oneunited.com/book.
Rap Legend Kidd Creole Found Guilty of Manslaughter in Stabbing Death of Homeless Man
A legendary rapper who helped boost hip-hop’s popularity has been found guilty of manslaughter after stabbing a man to death in 2017.
According to The Associated Press, a founding member of the popular ’80s hip-hop group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was found guilty of manslaughter on Wednesday in a Manhattan courtroom.
(Twitter)
The Kidd Creole, whose real name is Nathaniel Glover, was on trial after he stabbed a homeless man in New York City in 2017.
A Manhattan jury found him guilty in a trial that started last month. The man, John Jolly, was stabbed twice in the chest with a steak knife in midtown Manhattan in August 2017.
Prosecutors stated that Kidd Creole stabbed Jolly twice because he thought that the homeless man was gay and making a pass at him. Glover’s attorney said he did so out of self-defense. The former rapper, who initially faced a murder charge, was acquitted of second-degree murder. He is scheduled for sentencing on May 4.
The Daily News reported that the 61-year-old Kidd Creole was found guilty of manslaughter after a Manhattan Supreme Court jury deliberated for about three hours. He was acquitted of second-degree murder.
He’s been in prison for five years and is facing up to 25 years in prison when he’s sentenced. Kidd Creole initially rejected an offer to plead guilty to manslaughter for a 10-year sentence before the trial started.
“Nathaniel Glover committed a shocking act of violence,” Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg said in a written statement Monday night. “This conviction makes clear my office will hold people who commit violent crimes accountable to the full extent of the law.”
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five were formed in the late 1970s in the Bronx. They earned worldwide success after recording one of the most well-known songs in hip-hop history, The Message, in 1982. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, making them the first hip-hop group to get that distinction.
Meet The Woman Behind The Funniest, Wittiest TSA Instagram Account
Airport security isn’t fun.
The anxiety about what transpires between the time you’re waiting online and getting through the other side is real. T.S.A. agents barely crack a smile, but apparently, the bureau’s social media director Janis Burl and her team are filled with endless puns and dad jokes to ease anxious travelers on the road to their final destination.
According to The New York Times, Burl started as an airport Transportation Security Officer (T.S.O.) and now leads the social media team from her home office in the Washington, D.C., area.
She told the newspaper that her six-person Instagram team “posts odd finds, information about what you can and cannot bring through T.S.A., and travel-related answers to questions we may get” daily.
With one million active followers, the T.S.A.’s Instagram account describes the agency as the “Princess of Puns,” “Teller of Travel Tips,” and “Admirer of Alliteration.” It’s no wonder why the social media posts receive thousands of comments from people enamored with the caption writing. In 2021 alone, the page reached 54 million users on Instagram.
“My team does their own research, searching hashtags and trolling social media,” Burl said.
“I give them freedom to roam. They are often looking on their personal social media accounts to see what’s trending. Ideas are then shared among the team to determine if there is something we can do with it. We are constantly looking for an interesting post that’s trending on any platform and we also use photos that our followers share.”
One recent post about packing food in a suitcase featured outstanding puns. The caption read: “Taco-bout a corny way to travel! It a-maiz-es us how many tortillas could fit in this bag. So lettuce spill the beans on how to best travel with food items. In queso you were wondering, solid foods are good to go with no quantity limitations! We may however, ask you to remove your food before screening.”
“We spend each morning collaborating to determine what is trending and whether there’s an opportunity for an educational moment,” Burl said.
In addition to the hilarious Instagram page, 12 social media members work on Ask T.S.A., “answering questions pretty much ‘Johnny on the spot’ on Ask T.S.A. Twitter and Ask T.S.A. Facebook,” Burl said. They typically answer within two minutes.
Family And Friends Of BLACK ENTERPRISE Founder Earl G. Graves Sr. Celebrate His Life at His Alma Mater
A loving, in-person tribute and celebration of the life of Earl G. Graves Sr., the iconic businessman, entrepreneur, and founder of BLACK ENTERPRISE was held at his alma mater Morgan State University Wednesday afternoon.
The event was full of tears and laughs as friends, family, and employees spun stories about his sense of humor, his dedication to hard work, and his impeccable fashion sense.
(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)
The tribute included a video showcasing Graves’ life and times and featured photos of him from his time at Morgan State University to the start and success of BLACK ENTERPRISE Magazine.
The event was the first time family and friends had the chance to gather and look back on the long and accomplished life of Graves since his death on April 6, 2020 at the age of 85, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
His oldest son and current president and CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE,Earl “Butch” Graves Jr. discussed his dad’s life, telling stories about how he and his two younger brothers Michael and Johnny were raised tough growing up and how their dad lived for and loved his family.
(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)
“The remarkable thing about my Dad was that no matter how busy he was with work commitments he ALWAYS found time to be present at our sporting events and activities,” Graves Jr. said through tears.
“He would attend our basketball games in High School and College and wear this embarrassing sweatshirt that said simply ‘Graves Dad’ while banging loudly on a cowbell. It did not faze him what others thought about his style, and in classic Earl Graves charm was able to convince other parents on our team to start wearing similar sweatshirts that he would proudly provide for them.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer Derek Dingle spoke glowingly of Graves and how much respect and admiration he had for him, even before they met.
Derek Dingle (Photos courtesy of Morgan State University)
“To me, Graves is my hero. He was my hero before I even met him,” Dingle said. “When you grow up as a young man without a strong male role model, you look for a father figure someone to fill that void.
“Coming of age I discovered that father figure in a copy of Black Enterprise Magazine monthly on the publisher’s page,” Dingle added. “He was powerful, bold, courageous, and unequivocal. He would not concede an inch to ensure that African Americans gained access to opportunities and their rightful place in society.”
Others that spoke about Graves’ life and accomplishments at Morgan State, the military, and BLACK ENTERPRISE included Senior Pastor, Grace Baptist Church of Mount Vernon (NY), Rev. Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson; Morgan State University President, Dr. David K. Wilson; 41st Grand Basileus, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Dr. David E. Marion; U.S. Congressman, Chairman of the Morgan State University Board of Regents, Kweisi Mfume; Chairman of the Board, Citizens Trust Bank, Ray M. Robinson; President, Enterprise Strategic Partnerships, American Express, Glenda McNeal; former Macy’s Inc. Executive Chairman, Terry Lundgren; RW2 Enterprises CEO and former Aetna Inc. Chairman and CEO, Ron Williams; Georgia Power President, Chairman & CEO, Chris Womack; and Black Executive CEO Alliance Founder, Jerri DeVard.
(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)(Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)
The program also featured performances by the Morgan State University Choir and a presentation of military honors by Lt. General R. Scott Dingle, the Army Surgeon General and Commanding General, USA Medical Command.
Earl “Butch” Graves and Lt. General R. Scott Dingle (Photos Courtesy Morgan State University)
Many members of the Graves family, including his sons and grandchildren, also had heartwarming words for Graves.
Rev. Al Sharpton could not attend due to a scheduling conflict.
Graves graduated from Morgan State University with an economics degree in 1958 and consistently gave back to his alma mater, knowing that the education of Black Americans like him has the potential to open up a world of opportunity and success. The university’s School of Business and Management is named after him
During the ceremony, Morgan State President David Wilson told the story of how when he met Graves, he told Wilson about the first time Graves let his kids drive his car.
“Earl said he took his kids around the car and showed them that there were no dents, no scratches and a full tank of gas, and told them that’s the condition he expected the car to be returned,” Wilson said. “At the end, he said he expected the same with me taking over Morgan State.”
The event also included a second video tribute and kind words and lessons learned through Graves from former Citi executive Ray McGuire, former Nationwide Insurance executive Gale King, and many others.
Andscape Reaches Multiyear Extension with Senior ESPN NFL Reporter Jason Reid
Senior ESPN NFL reporter Jason Reid has recently signed a multiyear contract extension with ESPN.
The Walt Disney Co.’s Black media platform, Andscape, has announced the extension to keep senior NFL writer Reid in the fold, ESPN reports.
Reid will stay on as the platform’s lead journalist covering the National Football League, and making appearances across ESPN’s various television programming. He will continue to lead the conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the league.
“I’m honored by the trust Andscape and ESPN have in me to support my reporting on sensitive subjects regarding matters of diversity and inclusion in the most successful league in professional sports, says Reid in a written statement.
“I’m also proud to be part of a team that’s second to none in covering the NFL. I’ve been given incredible opportunities to grow, including writing my first book, and I look forward to tackling new challenges in the future.”
Reid has also announced the completion of his first book – Rise of the Black Quarterback: What it Means for America. That will be released later this summer in August by Disney Publishing Worldwide under the new Andscape Books imprint. The book is an offshoot of Andscape’s season-long “Year of the Black Quarterback” multiplatform series that debuted almost three years ago on Sept. 2, 2019, guided by Reid. The book examines the rise and growing distinction of Black quarterbacks in the National Football League. It is the first book that will fall under the Andscape imprint.
“Jason’s exceptional coverage of the National Football League positions Andscape as the place for news about activism among the league’s predominantly Black athletes, and the demand for more diversity in its predominantly white ownership and management,” said Raina Kelley, vice president and Editor-in-Chief for Andscape.
“We are excited to have him on our team, and for his leadership in our coverage of the league.”
Before joining ESPN in 2015, Reid was a National Football League reporter and sports columnist for The Washington Post. He also co-hosted a Washington, D.C., morning drive program on ESPN 980 – The Man Cave with Chris Paul and Jason Reid.
An On-Time Hero: South Carolina FedEx Driver Rescues Child From Car Wreck
In late March, a delivery driver activated his heroic power when he rescued a child following a car crash on a South Carolina highway.
According to WCSC, FedEx delivery driver Damien Rose was heading back to the office after a completed shift when he detected smoke coming from the distance. Upon arrival on Highway 52 near Moncks Corner, he saw two cars involved in a wreck. Immediately, he knew he had to do something.
“So as soon as I got there, I put my vehicle in park and just ran straight to the car,” Rose told the local news outlet.
The delivery truck caught footage as Rose courageously pulled over and darted to the scene.
As he rushed to one of the cars, Rose recalls hearing yelling and screaming about a child who appeared to be hurt. The child was bleeding from his mouth, he told reporters. Footage captured Rose pulling the young child to safety as he walked away from the car with him in his arms.
After clearing the child, Rose instinctively wanted to help other passengers, including an older woman in another vehicle. Due to the damaged doors, he decided to wait with the family for paramedics to arrive.
“Her husband said that she was stuck, but I couldn’t get her out,” said Rose, according to Local 12. “I went to the other side to try to get her out again, and pull the door, but it still didn’t work.”
The family expressed their gratitude for Rose’s heroic actions and instincts.
“My grandma got in an accident before, and somebody was there to save her,” Rose said, according to Local 12.
According to Rose, he’s the one who feels grateful. The delivery driver knows the grandfather of the child involved in the accident. In fact, the child’s grandfather is on Rose’s delivery route.
“Hopefully, blessings come back,” said Rose. “It always comes back. I never trip about things like that.”
“If you’re in public, and you see anything, even if it’s not an accident, just anything in danger, you should actually tend to be safe for yourself, be cautious and everything, but you should react and tend to it,” said Rose.
Chris Rock’s Brother Kenny Outraged, Wants The Academy To Revoke Will Smith’s Oscar: ‘It Eats At Me’
As the world watches and awaits a response by comedian Chris Rock for his take on Will Smith slapping him, in the meantime, his brothers have been speaking out about “slap-gate.”
After Tony Rock spoke on the situation via Twitter and then during a recent stand-up show, the youngest brother of the Rock family, Kenny, has something to say.
In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Kenny stated that when he viewed the video of the incident when Smith smacked his brother Chris in the face, he initially thought it was an act. That is until he saw Smith yelling and cursing at Chris immediately after the clash.
“It eats at me watching it over and over again because you’ve seen a loved one being attacked and there’s nothing you can do about it,” Kenny said to The Los Angeles Times in an interview.
“Every time I’m watching the videos, it’s like a rendition that just keeps going over and over in my head. My brother was no threat to him and you just had no respect for him at that moment. You just belittled him in front of millions of people that watch the show.”
Although the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hasn’t taken action yet and they are meeting soon to decide the fate of Smith, the Wild, Wild West actor has resigned his membership from the Academy. But, Kenny feels a more severe action needs to take place because of Smith’s free-flowing hand.
Kenny would be satisfied if the Academy took away the Oscar Smith won after he struck his brother, Chris. Not only that, he should not be allowed to attend any future Oscars presentations as a punishment.
Kenny did feel that Chris had no idea that Jada Pinkett-Smith had alopecia. If Chris had known, he doubts he would have said that unscripted joke.
“The joke was funny,” Kenny said. “It wasn’t hilarious funny, but I know that if he knew that she had alopecia … he wouldn’t make a joke about that. But he didn’t know.”
Kenny, just like his older brother, Tony, does not feel the apology Smith offered was genuine. He feels if he were really sorry, he would have apologized to Chris during his Oscar acceptance speech, where he apologized to everyone but his brother.
“I might have looked at it differently had he initially apologized when he got on the stage and cried and accepted the award, but he didn’t, so, right there that tells me that it is something else,” Kenny said.
“He should have been escorted out of there. I hold them accountable for that. He could have went up there and did anything you wanted to my brother. It could have been much worse than what he did.”
Seize The S.T.E.M. Momentum With This Python Certification Bundle
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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: ‘I Want to Wholeheartedly Apologize to LeBron’
Los Angeles Laker legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has been highly critical of LeBron James and went after him again when he recently stated that some of his recent behavior has been “embarrassing” and “beneath him.”
Now, a day after slamming him, yet again, Abdul-Jabbar apologized for doing so.
According to ESPN, after having a chance to recollect what he had said the previous day, the Hall of Fame basketball player, during an interview on SiriusXM radio, “wholeheartedly” apologized and reiterated the respect he has for the future Hall of Famer.
“All I have to say is this: I was there to give Carmelo Anthony the NBA Social Justice Champion Award. I’ve been talking to the press since high school, that’s 60 years of making statements. And I haven’t always gotten it right. And Sunday was one of those nights,” Abdul-Jabbar stated while on the radio program.
“It wasn’t my intention to criticize LeBron in any way. He has done so much for the Black community as well as for the game of basketball. We may not always agree, but I want to wholeheartedly apologize to LeBron and make it clear to him that I have tremendous respect for him. And if he can accept that, I’ll be very happy.”
Abdul-Jabbar went hard at James for a dance he did at a basketball game for which he was fined because it was deemed obscene. He was also disappointed for James asking earlier this season if there was a difference between the common cold, the flu and COVID-19.
On Dec. 27, 2021, Abdul-Jabbar posted an online response titled “Dear LeBron: Here’s the COVID-19 Help You Requested in Your Spider-Man Meme.”
Currently, James is close to replacing Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer as he is only 1,326 points away. Abdul-Jabbar has been the league’s all-time leading scorer for nearly 38 years. Barring injury, James is expected to surpass that record next season.
Family of 13-Year-Old Black Student to Sue City, County of San Francisco Over Racial Profiling
The family of a 13-year-old seventh-grader who says they were racially profiled by police has lawyered up and plans to sue the city and county of San Francisco.
Civil rights attorney John Burris claims the student, M.C., was racially profiled and unlawfully detained by a member of the San Francisco Police Department, KTVU reported.
The claims stem from a March 15 incident at Sterne School, located at 838 Kearny Street. The student was waiting for his tutor to pick him up from school.
Upon the instructor’s arrival, M.C. put his book bag in the backseat of her car and was about to get inside when an officer identified as Sgt. Parra ran up to him yelling, “Get out of the car, put your hands behind your back.” Surveillance footage captured the encounter.
Burris claims Sgt. Parra placed the student’s hands behind his back while the tutor and school leaders came to defend the child, telling the officer that he was in school all day. While the officer claims the student was only detained for one minute, Burris and others say the detainment lasted for about 30 minutes, The San Francisco Chroniclereported.
Burris’ claims Parra kept the child over claims the seventh-grader matched the description of a suspect who was described as wearing “black pants, a black hoodie, and red shoes.” However, Burris said M.C. had predominantly black shoes with red shoe strings, and pants that had Mickey Mouse on them.
“Any reasonable police officer could have determined that this young boy did not fit the description of the suspect described as a male Black, wearing black clothing, and red shoes who was allegedly seen breaking into cars,” Burris said in a news release.
The boy’s family and his school have all spoken out against the officer’s actions.
“My son has been traumatized by the police officer’s attack. As his mother, I am horrified that this happened to my son, who is loving, carefree, polite, and well-mannered He doesn’t understand why this happened to him when he had done nothing wrong,” the boy’s mother, Delores Coleman, said.
“Since the incident, my child is fearful about returning to school. He is embarrassed and wonders what his friends will think about him.”
A school official confirmed that a formal complaint on behalf of the school has been filed with San Francisco Police Department.
“Several staff members and our security guard witnessed the event and stepped in to support the student. This student was simply exiting the school for the day, and did nothing wrong,” Melissa Myers, head of school, wrote.
