• Politics

by Derek Major

March 24, 2022

VP Kamala Harris Felt Belittled and Wounded by Vogue Cover Photo

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Vice President Kamala Harris felt “belittled” and “wounded” by the cover photo that Vogue chose for its February 2021 issue so much so that Harris had a top aide complain.

Politico’s West Wing Playbook Newsletter published excerpts from This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America’s Future by Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns set to release in May that detailed Harris’ reaction to the cover. The photo displays Harris in a black blazer and capri pants with Converse sneakers in front of a green and pink background in a nod to Alpha Kappa Alpha’s sorority colors.

When the cover dropped, Harris’ team was blindsided and caught criticism as many believed the casual style failed to give her the respect and grace a vice president deserves. Many also felt the lighting and background portrayed her as unflattering.

“Harris was wounded,” the authors wrote, according to Politico.

“She felt belittled by the magazine, asking aides: Would Vogue depict another world leader this way?”

Harris’ top spokesperson at the time, Symone Sanders, went directly to Vogue’s Editorial Director Anna Wintour to express Harris’ displeasure with the cover. Martin and Burns wrote that Wintour believed the photo would make her more “relatable.”

Amid mounting criticism, Vogue picked a different photo of Harris sporting a powder blue pantsuit in front of a gold background as the cover for the digital issue and a limited-edition print issue commemorating the inauguration.

A Vogue spokesperson responded to the criticism saying “The team at Vogue loved the images Tyler Mitchell shot and felt the more informal image captured Vice President-elect Harris’s authentic, approachable nature—which we feel is one of the hallmarks of the Biden/Harris administration.”

According to the book, the photo added tension between Harris’ office and the West Wing. The Vice President’s Chief of Staff Tina Flournoy raised the issue to a Biden senior official.

However, with the country still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic and fresh off the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, the incident was largely dismissed by Biden’s staff.

• Career

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 24, 2022

Virtual Job Fair for Black Professionals Hopes to Fill Over 1,000 Positions

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More than 1,000 jobs will be available from 16 different companies for qualified Black professionals in various fields at the Black Virtual Career Fair.

The event today is hosted by the African American Employee Network (AAEN) and Onyx Community Connection (Onyx).

Organizers say what makes the BVCF job fair different from others is that it focuses on helping Black professionals find jobs instead of being geared toward the general population. Today’s event is the 10th career fair for BVCF.

The event connects Black professionals with inclusion-focused firms offering career opportunities. Attendees will have a chance to link with hiring managers at industry-leading companies and build their business network. Companies plan to fill jobs with technical and nontechnical professionals in multiple industries, including tech, sales, and marketing.

Major employers such as Anthem, Cooley LLP, First Citizen Bank, Good Eggs, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. are expected to be among those hiring.

The function comes as the unemployment rate for Black women climbed to 6.1% in February from 5.8% in January; other groups saw their unemployment rates remain the same or drop, according to Business Insider. The news outlet reported the unemployment rates of Black men and Black women aged 20 and beyond stands higher than that of the overall rates for men and women in this age group.

The event’s creators can answer questions about open job positions. The job fair comes as many U.S.  companies are short staffed and having a hard time finding qualified workers.

Lakeisha Poole, a BVCF partner and founder of Onyx, said in a news release that BVCF “looks to assist and help guide Black professionals by connecting them with companies who not only share their values but recognize their value.”

Michael DeFlorimonte, a BVCF partner and founder of AAEN, said, “BVCF is confident in its mission to connect qualified Black professionals with companies who are looking for new employees, especially during these stressful times.”

• News

by Atiya Jordan

March 24, 2022

Phoenix PD Honors Heroic Citizen Who Saved Teenage Girl From Assault

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The Phoenix Police Department saluted a man for his prompt action to save a teenager from a violent assault in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, last month.

As reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, on Feb. 1, a teenage girl waiting for her boyfriend was approached by a man who began to attack her.

Phoenix PD shared a surveillance video showing the man wandering on a street corner in downtown Phoenix. In the video, the man pauses before running up to the 18-year-old girl, grabbing her by the neck, and putting her in a chokehold.

Josh Jones, a bystander during the incident, saw the assault and immediately interfered while the man still held his grip on the young woman. Jones eventually took the suspect down to the ground, apprehending him until police arrived on the scene.

“I just did what I thought was right,” Jones said.

“It does take a special person to not even hesitate to go and handle this. We are hiring!” said Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams, according to 12 News.

Last week, Williams and the department recognized Jones for his heroic actions with a Citizens Award, and posted the acknowledgment on Twitter.

“#PHXPD is recognizing Josh Jones for rescuing a teenage girl in downtown Phoenix on Feb. 1, 2022,” Phoenix Police wrote.

“Josh stepped in during an assault, and apprehended the suspect until police arrived. Thank you, Josh!”

#PHXPD is recognizing Josh Jones for rescuing a teenage girl in downtown Phoenix on February 1st, 2022.
Josh stepped in during an assault, and apprehended the suspect until police arrived.

Thank you, Josh! #CitizensAward #SeeSomethingSaySomething pic.twitter.com/hHc1aUybGf

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) March 22, 2022

During the award ceremony, an officer expressed his personal gratitude before presenting Jones the award.

“We appreciate it. As a father with two daughters in graduate school [in Phoenix], it hits home for me. So, I appreciate you for stepping in, sir. Thank you very much,” the officer said.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 24, 2022

Citi Kicks Off “New Black Wall Streets” Ad to Bolster Black Businesses

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Driven to spotlight the ingenuity and continued resistance of Black entrepreneurs, Citi has launched a new large-scale ad campaign to do just that.

Known as “New Black Wall Streets,” the ad by one of the nation’s largest banks features Brian Tyree Henry, star of the FX series Atlanta. Produced by a mostly Black creative team, the ad shows how Citi is committed to doing its part to support and help build Black businesses.

Tina Davis, Citi’s interim chief marketing officer, shared these insights about the ad with BLACK ENTERPRISE. Davis said the campaign highlights Citi’s Action for Racial Equity initiative. Exerting over $1 billion, Citi and the Citi Foundation announced the pledge to help close the racial wealth gap and boost economic mobility in the U.S.

“We’re addressing the biggest barriers that impede people of color from building generational wealth—from affording college, to buying a home, to starting a business, to saving for retirement,” Davis wrote.

Citi is the brand name for the global bank Citigroup.

Davis shared Citi focuses on tackling issues and pursuing causes that tie back to the brand and mission to create economic growth and progress for its clients, customers, and the communities it serves.

“Everything we do—including in our marketing efforts and campaigns—is about that.”

She pointed out, “We also firmly believe in the importance of highlighting racial equity in our marketing efforts so that our colleagues, clients, and communities feel seen and represented.”

So, what is meant precisely when the ad declares “New Black Wall Streets”?

“By embedding racial equity into every part of our business, Citi is working to ensure Black businesses, banks, and entrepreneurs across the country have access to the resources needed to grow, succeed, and become pillars of their own ‘New Black Wall Streets’ in communities across the U.S.,” Davis wrote.

To develop the campaign, Citi worked with creative directors, including Robert Clifton, Jason LaFlore, and director Matt Dillon.

Davis says the campaign is airing on digital channels, including Amazon Fire TV, YouTube, and Hulu. Plans to roll out the ad on more channels will come in the near weeks and months.

Erika Irish Brown, Citi’s chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer and global head of talent, helped craft the ad.

Brown provided some insight into what the bank hopes to achieve on the DEI front.

“Racial equity is influencing how we do business, and we continue to find ways we can embed it in our policies and practices across the firm. We’re holding ourselves accountable for our progress, and as part of our Action for Racial Equity initiative, we agreed to conduct a third-party racial equity audit.”

She added, “The work is never done, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to date and all that is to come as we hopefully see ‘New Black Wall Streets’ continue to rise across the U.S.”

• Celebrity News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 24, 2022

Mike Tyson Stops Potential Shooting Hollywood Comedy Club

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Mike Tyson emerged as a winner again when he reportedly stopped what could have been a deadly shooting at a comedy club earlier this week.

According to TMZ Sports, a patron at a Hollywood rooftop bar pulled out a firearm and the former heavyweight boxing champion prevented a tragedy from taking place.

The incident was captured on video. According to the footage, Tyson and several people were enjoying the comedy show when a man approached Tyson’s table in front of the comedian. As the comedian went through his set, the man moved toward Tyson and started talking to him. According to witnesses, he was actually challenging Tyson to a fight to get some clout.

Tyson kept his cool while he engaged with the man, who continued talking. Another man approached the  talker and tried to distance him from Tyson, pushing him back in the process. The other man, who was reportedly the host of the show, shoved the talker toward the exit, who grew agitated and threatened to shoot the host. Taking a step back, he pulled out a weapon from his waist and pointed it toward the host. People started to scramble.

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 24, 2022

Team of Black Real Estate Developers Make History With $100M Project in Birmingham, Alabama

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A team of Black real estate developers is making history as they are set to launch a $100 million housing project in Birmingham, Alabama. It will be the city’s largest project that will be led solely by African Americans.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and the city council have approved an ordinance authorizing the sale and development of approximately 222 acres of land to Green Meadow Apartments, LLC for a purchase price of $1.5 million.

According to WTVM-13, the project’s development team is all African American, including the general contractor. “With over $2 billion, to date, this is the largest transaction led by African Americans in the city’s history. This is a great day for the city of Birmingham,” said Mayor Woodfin. “Not only because of the jobs, the homes, and the economic impact, but because of the history that is being made.”

The area, located near Lakeshore Parkway at 1911 Tiger Walk, will be developed into a multi-phased project that will include single-family, multi-family, and senior housing for an estimated 900 residents. There are also plans to include a town center with a grocery store and commercial and retail office spaces. The total investment in this project is said to be $100 million.

Green Meadow Apartments CEO Michael German, who is the former HUD Field Office Director for the state of Alabama, is leading the project that is expected to create 2,000 construction jobs and 240 permanent jobs. The commercial areas will likely generate $500,000 in property taxes in the first 3 years.

“We want to thank the mayor and council for their support in this transformational project,” said Cornell Wesley, director of the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity. “This sends a message to the entire country that African American and minority developers have a place in Birmingham, and we are aggressive and intentional about supporting their efforts.”

This story first appeared on Blackbusiness.com.

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

March 24, 2022

This Beginner-Friendly Coding Bootcamp Is On Sale For $29

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Even if you don’t have any plans of entering the tech industry, learning coding can do wonders for your career and personal growth. For one, it boosts your cognitive function, changing the way you think. With the technical knowledge you learn from programming, you’ll develop a logical way of thinking and approach problems in a different way. You’ll be more skilled at spotting the most minute mistakes, identifying trouble areas, and troubleshooting your work.

Coding also makes you more self-sufficient, as you no longer have to rely on anybody to assist in you developing websites, apps, and other products that require technical work. You can do all of it on your own. Of course, there’s also no question that possessing coding skills can take your career to new heights, as it opens you up to more job prospects and bigger paychecks.

It pays to learn how to code, and with the Coding 101 Bootcamp Beginners Bundle, you can get up to speed with the universal digital language with hours of content on today’s top programming languages and tools, including HTML, CSS, C++, Python, Github, MongoDB, and more. You can grab it on sale for 98 percent off.

Completely beginner-friendly, this course bundle aims to deliver a solid primer into the world of programming. All courses are brought to you by ZENVA, a top-rated platform that has provided over 1 million learners and developers with world-class training on in-demand programming skills. With this 10-pronged educational training, you’ll receive expert-led instruction on building responsive websites, developing browser-based and mobile games, and creating object-oriented programs. You’ll also receive an introduction to creating APIs, data science, machine learning, and more.

Since programming is purely technical, the courses are broken into bite-sized videos that you can stream at your own pace, at your own time, and on any device. You’re under no pressure to finish right away, and the best part is you also get the chance to undergo exercises that help fortify your newfound knowledge and skills.

Formerly retailing for $2000, you can grab this beginner-friendly coding bootcamp bundle for only $29.

Prices subject to change.

• Women

by Derek Major

March 23, 2022

Black Female Deputy Warden Sues Michigan Dept. Of Corrections Alleging Racial Discrimination

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A veteran prison warden is suing the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) after repeatedly being denied a promotion due to her race and gender.

Kim Cargor, who joined the department in 1985, has served as deputy warden and acting warden at the Charles E. Egeler Reception and Guidance Center since 2011, according to the Detroit Free Press. She filed a complaint in Washtenaw County Circuit Court claiming she’s a victim of cronyism and discrimination.

Cargor said in the suit she’s maintained an exemplary performance record and has never faced disciplinary action. However, she’s been passed over for a warden position in Michigan six times.

“It’s not how much you know and how well you can do the job,” she told the Free Press. “They repeatedly have hired people over me with less experience and less qualifications.”

According to her lawsuit, 19 wardens have been appointed by the Michigan DOC since 2018, but just one has been a Black woman and the rest were men, according to Deadline Detroit.

Cargor isn’t the only Black woman to sue a police or corrections department claiming racial discrimination. Last September 10 Black female police officers filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the Washington Metro Police Department claiming they were discriminated against. Additionally, the division in charge of addressing racial issues was run by a man who expressed hostility toward female officers and colluded with management to discredit women who come forward.

Less than two months later, four Black women with the Baltimore Police Department filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the department. One officer in the suit, Jasmin Rowlett, said her co-workers placed rats on her desk to intimidate her, and added another officer repeatedly sexually harassed her, but her complaint was closed without investigation.

The Michigan DOC has not commented on Cargor’s suit, but its website states “demonstrating commitment and dedication to the organization and to each other,” as one of its core values.

• News

by Derek Major

March 23, 2022

A Former KKK Headquarters In South Carolina Will Now Become A Diversity Center

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A former Ku Klux Klan (KKK) headquarters in Laurens, South Carolina, a city known for its racist history, is now being turned into a diversity center.

KKK member John Howard Jr. opened the Redneck Shop, a KKK museum, store and meeting place inside of an old movie theater in 1996. Over the years the place became known as the “World’s Only Klan Museum,” according to the Anti-Defamation League. In addition to a KKK headquarters, the place also sold lynching photos, old grenades owned by the groups, pins, T-shirts, hats, and other hateful memorabilia.

In recent years other far-right racist organizations including The Proud Boys and The Oath Keepers have made waves as there were hundreds of members from both organizations at the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Despite significant backlash from Laurens’ Black population, the store remained open until 2012. Now, NBC News reports Rev. David Kennedy, a Black man who grew up in Laurens, and Regan Freeman a white man raised in Laurens County who also witnessed the KKK center, have founded the Echo Project, named after the original theater. They plan to transform it into a center for diversity and reconciliation.

“We started protesting heavily, and some of the young people wanted to burn the place down,” Kennedy told NBC News, noting that he prioritized nonviolent tactics to oppose the shop. “So this new place will be a place to encourage people… We want to create an atmosphere where everyday people will feel the freedom to speak.”

Kennedy opposed the store for years with peaceful protests, which led to the KKK targeting him, selling photos of his great-great uncle’s lynching, and consistently threatening his church, the New Beginnings Missionary Baptist Church. KKK members threw dead animals on their lawn and attempted to throw handmade explosives into the building.

Kennedy eventually developed a friendship with Michael Burden, who denounced the KKK and sold Kennedy the deed to the theater, but Kennedy could only claim ownership after Burden died. He gained complete control of the theater in 2017, five years after the shop closed.

The space, which has been completely gutted, will feature a diversity center and museum, but the building still needs work, including a large painting of a swastika on one of the building’s walls that must be removed. The two men are aiming to open the cultural center late next year. The men are also enlisting the help of historians to make sense of the items left behind in the shop.