The Baltimore Community Foundation has announced the launch of its Black Philanthropy Circle, a nonprofit, donor-advised fund focused on supporting Black people and communities in the Baltimore area.

The Black Philanthropy Circle was founded by more than 30 Black businesses and civic leaders in the Baltimore area. It was established to cultivate an inclusive philanthropic community, build the capacity of Baltimore’s Black nonprofits, and impact Greater Baltimore’s Black community.

Alicia Wilson, Esq., one of the founders of the Black Philanthropy Circle and one of the BLACK ENTERPRISE’s 40 Under 40, said the effort is critical to the city of Baltimore.

“This is a powerful message regarding the stress of Black philanthropy in Baltimore at all different ages, from all different walks of life,” Wilson told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“This is Black philanthropy coming together to make something happen for our community.”

The Black Philanthropy Circle builds on a longtime tradition in the Black community. According to a report from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Black Americans donate 25% more of their income per year than white Americans. 

Most of the founding members of the Circle have donated $10,000 or more to help launch the fund, and according to Wilson, the fund has raised more than $600,00 in total donations.

In its first grantmaking cycle, the Black Philanthropy Circle will award $25,000 grants to Black-led or Black-based nonprofits in the Greater Baltimore area. Grant selections will be made in Spring 2022.

“All of the money given was by individuals and I think it says Black philanthropy, Black excellence, and Black wealth are alive in Baltimore,” Wilson said.

“As we come out of COVID and the financial and social issues that revolve around it, we need philanthropy to stand up and to be at the edge of where government and corporations leave us, so Black philanthropy is going to give in places our community needs us and thankful our collective allows us to do that in a very big way.”

The Circle will give priority to organizations with the following areas of focus:

• Arts & culture
• Economic welfare (job placement, workforce training, etc.);
• Education, recreation, and youth
• Community organizing (non-political) and community service;
• Environment;
• Human services;
• Health and wellness

Wilson and Black Philanthropy Circle co-founder Savonne Ferguson, Esq. were the first to donate to the fund along with Rev. Franklin Lance of the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Baltimore. Other donors included UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski and his wife Jacqueline, Joshua Perry of Brown Advisory, and the Eddie C. and C. Sylvia Brown Family Foundation.

“I think we as a community have always known that we are so much greater when we took care of our own,” Wilson added.

“As you see us coming together, it’s’ really about the fact that when we join forces and have the intention, motivation, and action to act toward our community in a positive way, there’s a multiplier effect in the outcome, for our community and generations that live now but also generations to come.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 15, 2022

High School Apologizes After Telling Black Honor Student to Cut His Locs to Participate in Graduation

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A Florida high school has issued a formal apology after telling a Black honor student that he had to cut his locs in order to walk in his graduation.

Jacob Rush is a senior and straight-A student at Abeka Academy in Pensacola, Florida, Black With No Chaser reports.

He was looking forward to his upcoming graduation at the Christian school but was shocked when his mother received a letter telling her that the dreadlocks he sported in his senior photos had to be cut or shortened or risk not being allowed to walk at his graduation.

Abeka reportedly credited the harsh warning to the campus of Pensacola Christian College saying it was their requirement.

“As a reminder for the graduates participating in the ceremony, we ask the gentlemen to have hair tapered and may not come over the ears, eyebrows, or collar (no braids, dreadlocks, buns), ” a screenshot of an email from Mrs. Karen Northrup read.

After receiving the email, Jacob’s mother Latrenda Rush launched a Change.org petition to raise awareness of the school’s discriminatory demands and garner support in Jacob walking at his graduation with his locs.

“Racism shines very brightly at Abeka,” Latrenda wrote in the petition.

“My son has worked very diligently this year and to get the news that his senior picture shows that he has “Locs,” disqualifies him from marching unless he cuts them. This is very inhumane!”

After the petition garnered over 37,000 and sparked outrage on social media, Abeka took to Facebook on Tuesday to apologize for their “insensitive rule.”

“Abeka Academy apologizes for the insensitive rule of “no dreadlocks” in the dress and hair guidelines for our optional homeschool graduation,” the statement read. “This does not reflect our desire to respect and serve the broad diversity among ABA students.”

The school ended the apology confirming that they have “removed this reference from our requirements.” Their apology comes as more states make moves to pass the CROWN Act to help end hair discrimination in the workplace. On Monday, City Council members in Hungtington, WV voted unanimously to pass the CROWN Act, 13 News reports.

• News

by Atiya Jordan

March 15, 2022

Remembering George Tompkins: Death Ruled Homicide 100 Years Later

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The body of George Tompkins was found hanging from a tree on Mar. 16, 1922, in the Municipal Gardens section of Riverside Park in Indianapolis with his hands tied behind his back. A century later, officials have ruled the 19-year-old’s death a homicide.

The death, which appeared on the front pages of Indianapolis newspapers 100 years ago, had initially been ruled a suicide on the death certificate although the country coroner at the time stated: “the man could not have hanged himself.” But activists with the Indiana Remembrance Coalition, based at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, worked to get Tompkins’ death certificate amended.

On Saturday, Mar. 12,  the ambitious coalition had a memorial ceremony in honor of Tompkins at Floral Park Cemetery. Marion County Deputy Chief Coroner Alfie McGinty unveiled a new death certificate that listed the lynching victim’s passing as a homicide, as reported by WTHR 13.

“We will bring justice to something that was unconscionable to me,” McGinty said, according to NBC News.

“We are proud to be a part of this history some 100 years later, and we will remember George Tompkins.”

At the gathering, Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett added, “In 1922, teenager George Tompkins did not receive justice from his city – neither in life, nor in death…This recognition comes 100 years too late. It is up to public officials like myself and others to preserve and promote equal justice for all residents of our city.”

A newly commissioned headstone was displayed for Tompkins’ unmarked grave during the program. The remembrance group is hopeful they can help the community start more dialogues and move forward on a larger path to justice.

“We can’t undo the horror committed against this man – or against the more than 4,000 other Black Americans lynched during decades of racist terror,” said Betty Brandt, director of the Community for Contemplation & Justice at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, as per a press release statement.

“But we can acknowledge what was done, give him at least a headstone, and pledge to move forward together as a better country,” Brandt said.

This recent feat for Tompkins’ family and the Indianapolis community comes a week after the U.S. Senate gave final passage to a bill to making lynching a federal crime, BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported.

Now, the decision is in the hands of President Joe Biden.

• Lifestyle

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 15, 2022

Millennials Spend More Time on Social Media Than Money Management

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According to a new survey, managing money is not a top priority for millennials. The survey claims millennials—people born between 1981 and 1996—are more focused on engaging on “social media or playing with pets” instead of examining their financial status.

Talker News reports OnePoll and Upwise did a study of 2,000 millennials. Respondents were asked “how they spend their money and time.” Findings showed millennials commit a whopping “150 more hours to social media than controlling their bank accounts.”

It was also disclosed that millennials are more inclined to “surf streaming services, care for houseplants or ponder what to eat for dinner” for longer periods than reviewing their funds.

“Taking control of your finances isn’t just a matter of keeping up with your monthly expenses,” Upwise Vice President Jenn Kischell stated.

“It’s also about taking a proactive role in managing and developing healthy money habits.”

Twenty-seven percent of millennials reported checking their bank accounts weekly. Some 45% responded that they were unsure how much money they had in their accounts.

Observers say millennials use tools like auto-pay to pay bills. The problem with auto pay is that users may not see what is in their accounts before bills are deducted routinely from a credit card, checking, or savings account.

Over 50% of respondents stated they use the auto-pay option for convenience. Others cited the tool helps them save money and reduce fears about late payments. Among that, 4 out of 5 people reported they were more likely to make impulsive purchases.

“People tend to underestimate their expenses, especially when using auto-pay,” Kischell says per Talker News.

“This is why it is essential to take a holistic assessment of your finances on a regular basis.”

On the upside, the study revealed that millennials want to be more in control of their finances as most concurred cultivating good financial habits at a young age is significant.

Experts say using digital banking or financial tools to monitor accounts daily, not signing up for extra financial services, setting up monthly budgets, and working with financial planners are among tools millennials can use to control their debt and savings and help avoid impulsive spending.

• Lifestyle

by Atiya Jordan

March 15, 2022

Meghan Markle’s Father Urged A Doctor To Write Mixed-Race On Her Birth Certificate, Not Black

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Thomas Markle, the estranged father of the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, says he has nothing against Black or white, but he objected to identifying her as Black on her birth certificate.

In a YouTube appearance, the elder Markle opened up to celebrity photographer Karl Larsen about stopping the doctor who was ready to write that his daughter was Black on the certificate. He said he even had to “argue with the doctor” just to have mixed-race written down instead.

“I even had to argue with the doctor, and have him write that she was mixed on the birth certificate because he wanted to mark down ‘Black,'” Thomas said in the video. “I had no problem with Black or white, but in my mind, it should have been mixed.”

The former actress was born on Aug. 4, 1981, in Los Angeles to Markle, who is white, and her mother, Doria Ragland, who is Black. The married couple, at the time, was divorced by 1987.

According to a CDC document, in 1988 and prior years, including the year of Meghan’s birth, the rule was that “when the parents were of different races, and one parent was white, the child was assigned to the race of the other parent. It wasn’t until after 1999 that parents were able to tick more than one box when identifying the race of a newborn.

Additionally, Markle recalled when his daughter was compelled by a school project to identify her race. But she was only given the option to tick one box.

In 2015, Meghan described her experience in an essay for Elle about growing up biracial.

“You could only choose one, but that would be to choose one parent over the other — and one half of myself over the other […] I didn’t tick a box,” Meghan wrote.

“I left my identity blank — a question mark, an absolute incomplete — much like how I felt. When I went home that night, I told my dad what had happened. He said the words that have always stayed with me: ‘If that happens again, you draw your own box,’” she continued.

After stepping down as a senior member of the royal family in 2020, Meghan has been using her platform to raise awareness about her biracial struggles and continue her fight against racism.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 15, 2022

YouTube Couple Facing 7 Years in Jail For Trying to Spend The Night in Target

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A young content creator couple faces seven years in jail for trying to spend the night in Target as part of a YouTube video stunt.

Johnson Larose, 25, and 24-year-old Charlotte Fischer (also known as “Saucy and Honey”) were arrested on Feb. 21 after hiding inside a Chester County Target store and filming the encounter for their YouTube channel, NY Post reports.

Cops responded to a tripped alarm, but they didn’t find anyone when they arrived. However, when employees reviewed the surveillance footage the following day, they saw two people wandering around the store for hours with their cellphones out, filming content.

While police note the couple didn’t steal any items, they were still trespassing on private property, Fox 29 reports.

“It became a little bit bigger of an investigation, trying to find out what they were doing, was there something criminal?” West Whiteland Township Police Detective Scott Pezick said.

Police determined Fischer and Larose built a fort to hide from employees and waited until the store closed. The YouTubers documented their experience for their 17,700 subscribers in a video titled “24 Hour Overnight Challenge in Target.”

While the couple claimed they spent the night at Target, surveillance determined they left the location through an emergency exit around 3 a.m. That’s when they tripped the alarm that alerted the police. Fischer and Larose returned to the store around 8 a.m. the following day to resume the video and act as if they spent the night there.

Larose and Fischer face charges of third-degree criminal trespassing and conspiracy. They were released on $25,000 unsecured bail and are banned from visiting any Target stores in PA as part of their bail conditions. Their next hearing is scheduled for March 24.

Police say things could’ve ended horribly for the young couple.

“When you go to a burglary call, you have a heightened sense of awareness,” Pezick said.

“Suddenly, you see somebody in there, or maybe they get spooked and run, our officers are well-trained, but it’s not a great situation for anybody.”

• News

by Derek Major

March 15, 2022

Cleveland Browns Defensive End Myles Garrett Signs MultiYear Endorsement Deal With Reebok

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Cleveland Browns Defensive End Myles Garrett has signed a multiyear endorsement deal with sports apparel giant Reebok.

Sports Illustrated reports the deal makes the former Texas A&M product one of the brand’s most visible and highest-profile athletes. Garrett made his debut with Reebok at last month’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Reebok Vice President Caroline Machen said in a statement that Reebok is excited to usher in a new era, and Garrett is a big part of that.

“Myles Garrett is one of those incredible all-around athletes who could be a standout in any sport, he just happened to choose football,” Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Reebok Machen said.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Myles to the Reebok family and shine a light on our shared ethos and passion for sport, fitness, fashion, pop culture, and activism. As we embark on an exciting new era here at Reebok, Myles will be a key player in bringing his own unique energy and story to our next chapter.”

Garrett has been a force in 68 games with the Browns, racking up 140 tackles, 58.5 sacks, and 11 forced fumbles. Garrett has been instrumental to the Browns’ turnaround from an NFL punchline to a borderline playoff team. This season, Garrett and quarterback Baker Mayfield kept the Browns in playoff contention until they were eliminated in the last week of the regular season.

Garrett said one of the reasons he chose to sign with Reebok was the sports apparel giant’s support of his interests outside of football.

“I really pride myself on having a lot of interests off the field, so to be working with a brand that promotes individuality and encourages people to pursue the things that bring them joy is incredible, Garrett said in a statement, according to SI. “I’m looking forward to showcasing more of who I am on and off the field to help better establish the brand in performance and lifestyle.”

Garrett will join former NBA athletes Allen Iverson and Shaquille O’Neal as ambassadors of the Reebok brand.

• Entrepreneurship

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 15, 2022

Family Makes History, Opens First Ever Black-Owned Restaurant on New York’s City Island

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Meet Darryl Lelie and his family, the owners of Seafood Kingz 2 on City Island in Bronx, N.Y., making it the first Black-owned restaurant in the area.

Darryl, who has been in the restaurant industry for 20 years, established the first Seafood Kingz restaurant in September 2019 on Linden Boulevard in Queens. Even during the pandemic, the business has been doing great enough for him to decide to open another location in South Bronx, which was eventually closed due to complications in the expansion.

Fortunately, a new opportunity came in City Island where they coincidentally found that the location they wanted to occupy five years ago was now for rent. Darryl says he immediately took advantage of the opportunity to open his franchise’s second restaurant with his whole family joining in as well.

“We give them an avenue to have some of their own food, with the things that they love. So you get your seafood with the soul food trimmings. You can’t copy it up here, you know, you can’t imitate it. This is the real soulful stuff,” Darryl told Bronx Times.

Lelie’s 21-year-old son Dalvin, who serves as the restaurant’s head chef, was the one who developed the menu which features a variety of seafood options such as king crab legs, fried lobster tails, fish, shrimp and a lot more.

This article first appeared on Blackbusiness.com. 

• News

by Atiya Jordan

March 15, 2022

‘Do The Right Thing’: Breonna Taylor’s Mother Urges DOJ To Nail All Three Officers With Federal Charges

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Following the second anniversary of Breonna Taylor‘s death by police, her mother met with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division officials. On Monday, she urged for further investigation and federal charges to be brought against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of her daughter during a botched police raid in 2020, CNN reported.

“I’m here at the Department of Justice asking them to do the right thing,” said Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, at a news conference after the meeting. “This is bigger than Breonna. If no one addresses this issue, they’ll keep kicking in our doors and murdering us.”

On March 13, 2020, Taylor, a 26-year-old unarmed Black woman and EMT worker, was wrongfully killed in her home by a hail of bullets by plainclothes officers Brett Hankison, Myles Cosgrove, and Jonathan Mattingly.

They were serving a “no-knock” search warrant for Taylor’s ex-boyfriend for allegedly dealing drugs.

“For the nation, it’s been two years and one day. For me, I’m trapped in March the 13th, 2020,” Palmer said.

“I don’t know how people think I should just move on, that I should just walk away from this thing. Half my life has been spent being Breonna’s mother. It’s the only thing I’ve learned to do well in my life. It’s the thing that I’ll die for – fighting to make sure she gets justice.”

Hankison was acquitted of wanton endangerment charges and fired from the Louisville Police Department in 2020. The other two officers were not charged, but Cosgrove was terminated in January 2021, and Mattingly retired in April 2021.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump told CNN that himself, Palmer, and Kristen Clarke, the top official of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, met for about 45 minutes Monday morning to discuss demands for an investigation into all three officers.

“They said, ‘Be not dismayed,'” Crump said, recalling the meeting.

“They’re turning over every stone, looking at any civil rights charges on behalf of Breonna Taylor, because they would do the same for any citizen. Because Breonna Taylor deserves it.”

• Lifestyle

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

March 15, 2022

Kelly Rowland and Father Open Up About Reconnecting After 30 Years

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Kelly Rowland guest co-hosted TODAY with Hoda & Jenna this morning where she shared exclusively for the first time her story of forgiveness and reconnecting with her estranged father after 30 years.

Rowland shared with Hoda Kotb, “My understanding of where my dad was as a kid was that he was not really ready as a father. I was angry at him. I was disappointed in him. I had all of those feelings of abandonment. I think as a kid you just feel like if they’re not there they don’t want to be here. So that’s what I felt and that feeling sucked.”

Her father, Christopher, also joined in studio sharing, “People used to tell me, ‘I saw your daughter,’ and I used to sit there and say, well, I didn’t, and it used to hurt. So when Kelly started performing in certain places, I followed her. And when I did go to a couple of places, I didn’t get a chance to see her because security wouldn’t let me see her. It was sad really.”

He added, “I wanted to tell Kelly that I love her and that I never gave her up.”

The two expressed their gratitude and love for their new rekindled relationship. Rowland said, “I can only imagine what it felt like to have everything that you want to say for so many years to your child, I just allowed him the space, and it was incredible. Underneath all of the disappointment and hurt and anger and fear, that’s somebody you love.”

 WATCH Kelly Rowland’s interview: https://on.today.com/3u3uQMp