Study Shows Black Workers Twice as Likely To Make Less Than Whites
The pay gap continues to widen for Black Americans, making it an ongoing and disturbing issue.
A new study by Real Estate Witch reveals 26% of Black workers are two times as likely as white workers to report poor salaries. Many shared this same disturbing information with BLACK ENTERPRISE in the Bad Bosses Are Destroying Employee Happiness: 2022 Data Study.
Last month, some 1,000 full-time American employees were surveyed and asked about their biggest workplace frustrations. The study included 127 respondents who self-identified as Black. The data was part of an online survey paid for by Real Estate Witch.
There were many intriguing discoveries. Overall, 56% of workers would take a salary cut if it would guarantee they would be happy at work. This number included 16% who would take less pay of $20,000 or greater. Around 61% cited good leadership as the No. 1 cause for job satisfaction, and 75% of employees were dissatisfied with managers. About 31% said unclear communications; 27% said micromanagement, and another 27% said favoritism of other employees are leading reasons workers are not pleased with managers.
Job discrimination appeared to be a persistent obstacle. Some 46% report discrimination is a workplace problem. Black employees were 19% more likely than white employees to recognize it as an issue. Some 35% of workers pointed to pay gaps, 33% pointed to racism, and 30% pointed to sexism as the most common issues.
Jamie Seale, the study’s author, disclosed that Black Americans experience more microaggressions than their white peers. That may make it more challenging to form workplace friendships, which 130% of Black employees were more than twice as likely to say are absent from their workplace.
Seale added Black workers were 31% more likely to say their workplace doesn’t have many opportunities for career advancement. This statistic is supported by other studies showing Blacks are underrepresented in senior roles.
“As a result, Black employees are 47% more likely to say that important benchmarks for job satisfaction are missing from their workplace, and they are 58% more likely than white workers to report that their workplace doesn’t value diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Seale shared.
Howard University Faculty Threatening To Strike Over Working Conditions And Wages
Hundreds of faculty members at Howard University are threatening to go on strike next week due to unfair working conditions and low wages.
NPR reports Howard University faculty members, students, and alumni leaders rallied in support of the school’s faculty against low wages for non-tenured full-time teaching faculty and adjunct professors they say needs to change.
Faculty members say if an agreement is not reached by Friday, they plan to go on strike next week.
“The University leadership has made clear that a better teaching environment and better learning environment is unimportant to them,” said Contingent Faculty Leader and Howard alumnus Cyrus Hampton, a full-time professor in the English department. “They have left us no choice but to strike because of their continued bad-faith bargaining.”
Howard University has 150 non-tenured full-time teaching faculty and more than 200 adjunct professors represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). According to the SEIU, Howard faculty members have negotiated with the university for three years.
The university said in a statement that it “remained diligent” in its discussions with union representation and university officials to reach an agreement.
“Our commitment to a peaceful bargaining process has not changed, and we will continue advancing good faith efforts to reach an agreement with the union and address the needs of adjunct and non-tenure-track faculty and the University.”
In the statement, Howard University listed non-union faculty pay raises for more than 600 faculty members, an $80 million investment to fully fund the faculty retiree plan, and avoiding pandemic layoffs as continued efforts to support Howard faculty.
The potential faculty strike for Howard comes several months after students protested poor housing conditions by occupying the campus center and sleeping in tents.
The D.C. private research university received $140 million in philanthropic investments and pledges during the first six months of 2021 alone. In 2020, the University also received large donations, including $40 million from MacKenzie Scott and $5 million from Eddie and Sylvia Brown.
The Houston Rockets announced that the rapper-turned-Hollywood-powerhouse 50 Cent had struck a deal with the NBA team.
Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) has signed a partnership with the basketball team through his premium wine and spirits company Sire Spirits L.L.C. The deal will showcase and sell Jackson’s award-winning Branson Cognac and Le Chemin du Roi Champagne brands. The spirits will be sold at Houston Rockets games and Toyota Center events with multiple themed bars, a branded luxury suite, and a courtside loge box.
“Since I moved to Houston in January 2021, the love shown to me by this City has inspired me to make a positive and long-lasting impact in the community. My investment in the Houston Rockets and their investment back into my charitable endeavors makes this partnership all the more special for me. I’m excited for what the future holds,” said Jackson in a written statement.
Sire Spirits will be a Presenting Sponsor of the Houston Rocket’s annual Black Sports Professional Career Fair, the annual Black History Night, and select fundraisers throughout the year.
The charitable work of 50’s G-Unity Foundation will be part of the partnership. The charity will work closely with the Rockets and the Clutch City Foundation on several community initiatives to enhance Jackson’s firm commitment to the City of Houston. This will include providing passes and tickets to Rocket games and events for parents and children who cannot afford ticket prices.
“In his time as a Houston resident, Curtis has demonstrated a strong passion for helping students in our under-served communities, which mirrors the continued efforts we have as an organization, making this a perfect partnership,” said Rockets President of Business Operations Gretchen Sheirr.
“Curtis’ business acumen and creativity have been well documented throughout his entertainment and entrepreneurial career, and we’re excited to bring Sire Spirits to Toyota Center for fans to enjoy at Rockets games and our wide variety of events.”
The Houston Rockets’ Red & White Wine Bistro will also be rebranded into the Sire Spirits Bar & Restaurant.
Petition Started to Remove Kanye West From Coachella Because of His ‘Harrassing’ Behavior
Kanye West‘s recent antics shouldn’t come without consequences according to a person who feels he should not be headlining the upcoming Coachella festival.
According to Page Six, a petition has been started to get Ye off the ticket as the headlining act. Kim Pete feels that the organizers of Coachella “should be ashamed of themselves” for letting Ye perform later this year.
The petition, simply titled, Remove Kanye from Coachella! calls for the removal of the Hip-Hop fashion desiger for the social media tactics he has been doing lately. Specifically his harassment of Kim Kardashian and her current beau, Pete Davidson.
“We have watched Kanye harass, manipulate, and hurt Kim, Pete, and others for over a year now. No one seems to want to stand up to him, and the ones that do, he puts under fire as well. Most recently, he has been threatening actual bodily harm on others. This is ridiculous that he is allowed to freely do this. Coachella (along with other brand names that are still working with him) should be ashamed of themselves and should not be giving him any more of a platform”
The petition has surpassed more than 5000 signatures.
After hurling a racially insensitive word at Comedy Central’s Trevor Noah after another Instagram rant, Kanye Westwas hit with a 24-hour suspension from social media platform Instagram, according to Variety.
The eccentric rapper has overstepped the platform’s policy regarding harassment. A Meta spokesperson has confirmed that the content he posted has been deleted for violating their hate speech, bullying, and harassment policies. Ye was restricted from posting, commenting, and sending DMs for 24 hours with this action. The restriction is due to repeatedly violating rules. The company will take additional measures if further violations occur.
Noah isn’t Ye’s only target as of recent. The rapper has gone after comedian D.L. Hughley after he commented on Ye’s harassment of Kardashian and Davidson. He stated in a recent interview that Ye’s tactics amount to stalking.
Edges Secured! KISS Colors & Cares Partners With Jayda Cheaves For Ambassadorship of Edge Fixer Campaign
Jayda Cheaves is all about getting paid and keeping her edges laid! The entrepreneur and influencer was announced as the new beauty ambassador for KISS Colors & Cares.
As part of the textured haircare brand’s 2022 women collection, Cheaves will be on the frontlines, showing how she incorporates KISS Colors & Care products into her daily style routine.
“I never really get excited about brand deals, but this one felt different from the rest,” Cheaves said of the new partnership.
“To be working with KISS Colors & Care has me super excited because I’ve been wearing and buying their products since I was in middle school. So now, to be able to say I’m working with them makes me feel so accomplished. I know it’s going to be magic, and there’s plenty in store for us together.”
Since high school, the Waydamin founder has been launching businesses and has used her social media to highlight her entrepreneurial drive and trendsetting beauty and fashion style. Now, with over 6 million followers and counting, KISS knew Cheaves was the perfect person to serve as a beauty ambassador.
“Jayda’s bold entrepreneur spirit and fearless self-expression embodies the values core to KISS. As a style icon and source of inspiration to fans around the nation, she is the ideal ambassador for the brand’s new women’s collection,” said SVP of Global Marketing Annette DeVita-Goldstein.
“We are truly excited to grow our relationship with Jayda and inspire the textured hair consumer to express their individual style and creativity with confidence.”
Cheaves recently hosted a virtual event to help introduce the new styling collection made to protect and style hair with confidence. The new products include the Edge Fixer GLUED Edge Control Gel and a 3-in-1 Edge Brush that keeps bristles soft over time.
KISS
Elsewhere are a series of Soft Satin Wrap Scarves designed in a variety of trendy patterns, Pre-Tied Top-Knot Turbans, Silky Satin Edge Scarves, and a Glamour Glitter Bonnet.
KISS’s new styling collection is available at KISSColors.com and Walmart.com, with select products available at Target, CVS, and Kroger stores.
Telfar Clemens Announces His Popular Online Brand Will Open Its First Brick-and-Mortar Location
Telfar Clemens, the popular designer behind the Telfar handbag and fashion line, announced the brand will open its first flagship store in New York City.
Yahoo News reports the fashion designer revealed the news on Hot 97’s The Breakfast Club earlier this week.
The brand will open its flagship brick-and-mortar store in New York City at an unknown location.
The designer shared the news on the popular radio show discussing how the brand has evolved since he started it years ago.
“There is one coming,” Clemens said during the interview. “We’re opening a store this year in New York City and we’re still deciding where that’s going to be. I don’t want to say too much about it, but we’re opening a store.”
Clemens did not say when or where in New York the store would be but did confirm the store will open this year. The Telfar brand has grown from an underground brand to one that is fully embraced by Black culture and has even collaborated with other high-end brands including UGG. The brand was also featured in the HBO show Euphoria.
Last year, Gucci came under fire for copying Telfar’s handbags which feature a ‘T’ on the front.
Telfar handbags are typically priced at about $200, however, for this year’s New York Fashion Week, the Telfar Round Circle Bag that was featured had a retail price of $567. Telfar also closed New York Fashion Week featuring two complete Telfar collections and two episodes of Telfar TV, a 24-hour reality TV experience/retail channel introduced in September, according to The New York Times.
The clothing brand was also the brand that outfitted the Liberian Olympic team for the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Summer Games, providing the base for a line of genderless “athletic wear” that also doubled as evening wear.
A Call for USPS Stamp for Civil Rights Leader Bayard Rustin’s Birthday
In commemoration of Black Queer civil rights leader Bayard Rustin’s birthday today, Mar. 17, the National Black Justice Coalition, a leading Black LGBTQ+/SGL civil rights organization, is urging Congress to pass the Bayard Rustin Stamp Act, legislation introduced by Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton which would require the U.S. Postal Service to issue a forever stamp depicting Bayard Rustin to honor his life and work.
“Bayard Rustin was a master political organizer and pacifist. He spoke truth to power, serving time in prison for refusing to register for the draft and engineering the first Freedom Rides, which challenged segregation on interstate buses. We would not have the opportunity to celebrate many watershed moments in American and global history without Rustin’s tireless leadership and labor to the modern civil rights movement as well as the global fight for human rights,” explained David Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition.
“Moreover, while Rustin was critical to the civil rights movement and organizing the 1963 March on Washington — what many people do not know or celebrate is that Bayard Rustin was a Black, same-gender loving (SGL) man.”
On Mar. 17, 1912, Bayard Rustin was born in West Chester, Penn. He was a leader in civil rights, socialism, nonviolence and gay rights movements. Rustin began his work as an activist in his youth by protesting discriminatory Jim Crow Laws, a set of state and local laws enacted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that enforced racial segregation primarily in the United States South. Rustin believed in the complete desegregation of schools, public transportation and the workforce. He organized several marches and bus rides to protest racial discrimination. Though an influential leader of the civil rights movement, Rustin often worked in the shadows and did behind the scenes work as his identity as a Black same gender loving/gay man was seen as a liability in this time when being gay was still punishable.
“It is critical that we honor Bayard Rustin’s work in the Civil Rights movement. It is our firm belief that ensuring the contributions of Black trans, queer and non-binary/non-conforming members of our community are recognized while also implementing bills like the John LewisVoting Rights Advancement Act and the Equality Act will advance the legacy of Brother Bayard and the modern Civil Rights movement into the next generation. But to honor Bayard specifically, we urge Congress to pass the Bayard Rustin Stamp Act and make him a forever figure in our country,” added Lewis.
Laura Buisson, Echo Park Los Angelos Neighborhood Council representative, a founding member of NBJC’s Good Trouble Network of Black LGBTQ+/SGL elected officials, is organizing grassroots support across the country to urge members of Congress to prioritize and vote in favor of the Bayard Rustin Stamp Act.
“Any civil rights milestone one can name, Bayard Rustin did it first, and paid a heavier price all while being his authentic self: A Black, gay and Quaker man who devoted his life to being a stick in the wheel of injustice. While the March on Washington has been honored with a USPS stamp, not so the man who made it happen. Enshrining Rustin’s momentous contributions to the Civil Rights Movement in American culture is a long overdue honor that can be rectified this Congressional term,”remarked Buisson.
Anyone can join her efforts by contacting their own members of Congress.
UNCF Reimagines Online Learning to Pipeline Black Talent to the Tech Industry
UNCF and Deloitte Digital, the experience consultancy, today announced plans for a new online platform for community learning, HBCUv.
The platform is part of an ambitious strategic initiative to reimagine online education in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), according to a release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE.
Together, UNCF and Deloitte Digital will design and build a shared online platform where students, educators, and staff are enabled to learn, develop and build community together from anywhere.
HBCUv will provide best-in-class remote education, community engagement and career pathways to students seeking an HBCU education.
“For too long there has been a major innovation and investment gap between this nation’s HBCUs and other higher education institutions,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and chief executive officer, UNCF.
“HBCUv not only aims to close that gap, but also lead the way in online instruction and degree granting.”
The COVID-19 pandemic and related need for social distancing created unprecedented challenges for higher education institutions of all stripes, but it had a particularly pronounced impact on HBCUs. These institutions, who educate Black students of all backgrounds, including a significant number of first-generation and low-income college students, had to navigate this while also facing the challenges of decades of underfunding and underinvestment. In response, UNCF trained over 2,500 faculty to develop courseware for online classes, but quickly realized the limits of current learning management systems (LMS).
“What we learned from the pandemic was that better training isn’t enough,” said Dr. Shawna Acker-Ball, senior director at UNCF’s Teaching and Learning Center.
“We need better tools and technology to deliver on the rich instruction and the strong culture of America’s HBCUs and extend this transformative experience for students online.”
“The inclusion of HBCU students, faculty, staff and administrators as co-designers of the platform will be an attribute of its success,” said Dr. Valora Richardson, UNCF’s director of digital solutions and innovation.
“They know what they need, and we heard them.”
UNCF discovered that while current learning management systems do a good job at bringing education online, they do it in a way that is too cumbersome for instructors and students unfamiliar with online learning. It also found that HBCU instructors were frustrated with the inability to easily track student progress and assess when they needed additional coaching. Finally, UNCF found that the tools provided no way to replicate the culture and community for which HBCUs are famous, leaving the online learning experience feeling hollow.
To address this, HBCUv will have defining characteristics to ensure the experience is authentic and impactful. These include:
– Promoting Black Excellence:HBCUv will be home to the best Black courses taught by the best Black minds in America and serve as a beacon to young Black talent globally.
– Creating Black Futures:HBCUv will provide tools and technology that help Black students discover and design their path to a brighter future, including career planning and degree program matching.
– Connecting Black Talent:HBCUv will connect students and faculty from multiple HBCUs on one online social platform to encourage networking, collaboration and tighter community bonds.
– Putting Flexibility First:HBCUv will support both synchronous and asynchronous learning environments so students can choose the learning style that best fits their lifestyle.
– Driving Results with Data:HBCUv will leverage machine learning and big data to fuel predictive analytics on student performance and provide real-time feedback to instructors on lectures, assignments and assessments.
– Activating Collective Genius:HBCUv will be a shared resource open to all HBCUs and enable institutions to share knowledge, resources and best practices in a cost-effective, tech-forward manner.
“This isn’t just about getting more classes online, it’s about providing a safe space for Black joy and expression, giving students an opportunity to find their ‘tribe’ of people, and inspiring students of all ages by showing them Black leaders who are part of the same HBCU legacy,” said Julian Thompson, director of strategy for UNCF’sInstitute for Capacity Building.
“HBCUv will do this by embedding the culture, community and commitment to Black excellence embodied by HBCUs into a unique online experience that will form the foundation of the future of Black education.”
UNCF has partnered with nine initial HBCUs — Benedict College, Claflin University, Clark Atlanta University, Dillard University, Jarvis Christian College, Johnson C. Smith University, Lane College, Shaw University and Talladega College — to develop and pilot the HBCUv platform.
Beginning in 2023, more than 8,000 students enrolled at those partner institutions will have the ability to cross-register for and take credit-bearing courses online via the HBCUv platform. As the platform matures, UNCF plans to expand HBCUv to include more HBCU students and institutions.
The bold initiative is made possible by more than $10 million in funding from the Karsh Family Foundation, the Lilly Endowment, Citi Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, but UNCF stresses that there is still a need for additional funding and partnership from leading companies, foundations and other funders.
“This is just the beginning,” said Edward Smith-Lewis, vice president, strategic partnerships and institutional programs at UNCF.
“Solving for the historic inequities that HBCUs and their students and staff face will take a sustained and concerted effort from a diverse coalition of non-profit and for-profit partners.”
UNCF selected Deloitte Digital’sEthos, a new offering dedicated to using innovation to advance equity, sustainability and social welfare goals, to design and develop the platform in collaboration with UNCF and its partner institutions. While the platform is still in development, the team leveraged a proprietary approach to product design called “equity-centered design” to engage HBCU stakeholders and center the Black experience throughout thousands of hours of early discovery and research.
“The intention behind our approach to design really matters when it comes to projects like this,” said Nathan Young, senior manager, Deloitte Consulting LLP and head of strategy, Ethos at Deloitte Digital.
“We opened up our design process and worked alongside dozens of HBCU students, instructors and administrators to ensure HBCUv is truly a solution designed by HBCUs for HBCUs,” said Young.
That intentionality is showcased not just in the direct collaboration with HBCUs, but in the makeup of the engagement team. Deloitte Digital’s Ethos formed a team that is 90% racially and ethnically diverse, 61% Black and 28% HBCU alumni to deliver against the unique needs of the project.
“Our diversity has always been our strength,” said Betty Fleurimond, managing director, Deloitte Services LP and national leader of Deloitte’s Higher Education practice.
“The team we brought together reflects our commitment to building a strong foundation that will serve HBCU students, faculty and staff into the future.”
“We’re investing in the future of Black excellence with this project,” said Kwasi Mitchell, chief purpose officer at Deloitte LLP.
“The work this team is doing here is inspiring, impactful and core to our firm’s purpose.”
Russian News Agency Reports Russian Court Extends Brittney Griner’s Arrest Until May 19
According to Russian state news agency TASS, a court in Moscow announced it had extended the arrest of WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner until May 19.
CNN reports the WNBA and Euroleague champion was arrested on allegations of drug smuggling after a canine detected vape cartridges with cannabis oil in her luggage on Feb. 17, according to Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX).
“The court granted the request of the investigation and extended the period of detention of the U.S. citizen Griner until May 19,” the court said, per TASS.
Griner plays in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the winter months when female basketball players can make millions as opposed to the WNBA, where players earn significantly less. Many have been calling for the athlete’s release, including former first lady Hillary Clinton, who tweeted her support for the WNBA star.
Others supporting Griner’s release include the Congressional Black Caucus and Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, USA Basketball, the WNBA, the Phoenix Mercury, and the WNBA Players’ Union.
In its report, TASS quoted Ekaterina Kalugina, who represented Moscow’s Public Monitoring Commission, which observes the treatment of its prisoners, saying she visited Griner at the detention center where she’s being held. According to Kalugina, Griner has had no complaints, other than her 6’9″ frame is too large for the prison’s beds. Kalugina added the U.S. consul had not visited the All-Star despite Russian authority’s willingness to “create all conditions” for their visit.
Griner has played for UMMC Ekaterinburg since 2015, averaging13.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds per game. The Baylor University product has spent her entire eight-year career in the WNBA with the Phoenix Mercury averaging 17.7 points per game and 7.6 rebounds per game.
Griner’s detainment comes at a contentious time between the U.S. and Russia, which invaded Ukraine several weeks ago. In retaliation, PresidentJoe Biden has leveled stiff economic sanctions against the country, and several American brands have closed their operations in the country.
100 Black Male Law Deans and Professors Pen Letter Supporting Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court Confirmation
One-hundred Black male law deans and professors have penned a letter supporting Ketanji Brown Jackson‘s confirmation to the United States Supreme Court.
In the letter, obtained by Blavity, the professors unanimously supported Jackson’s confirmation to the High Court, which would make her the first Black female Supreme Court Justice.
“We unanimously applaud and endorse, without reservation, President Joe Biden’s nomination of Judge Jackson, who is truly one of our nation’s brightest legal minds. From Judge Jackson’s breathtaking credentials as an extraordinary jurist to her unimpeachable character and unwavering integrity, we believe that she is eminently qualified to fill this historic position,” the letter stated.
The letter also commented on Jackson’s career as a lawyer and federal public defender, saying it is “rich in depth, complexity, efficiency, and common sense. More than that, Judge Jackson’s jurisprudence is braided in fairness, compassion, and justice.”
PresidentJoe Bidennominated Jackson for the Supreme Court last month. She is expected to receive unanimous support from Democrats, who also hold the tie-breaking vote in Vice President Kamala Harris. However, it may not be needed. Last year, Republican Senators Lindsey Graham, Lisa Murkowski, and Susan Collins supported Jackson’s confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
While they have not publicly supported Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, it would be surprising if Republicans unanimously voted against her confirmation.
The group that penned the letter supporting Jackson also pointed out the court’s overwhelmingly White, male majority in its history and today.
“While White men comprise roughly 30 percent of our nation’s population, they hold over 70 percent of federal judiciary positions. Further, while 108 White men have served as justices on the U.S. Supreme Court, there have only been two Black men and five women appointed to serve on the Court. Of those five women, only one has been a woman of color,” the group wrote.
“Judge Jackson is uniquely positioned to bring a historically absent perspective to the challenging and complex questions that will be presented to the Supreme Court in the years to come.”
Jackson received her law degree from Harvard Law School and was an editor of the Harvard Law Review. She has also received the endorsement of the justice she would be replacing in Stephen Breyer, whom she clerked for.
