• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

March 1, 2022

House Finally Passes Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act Making Lynching A Federal Hate Crime

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After failing to pass anti-lynching bills more than 200 times since 1900, the House finally passed a bill making lynching a federal hate crime.

Dubbed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, lawmakers passed legislation on Monday in a 422-3 vote, NBC News reports. As part of the new bill, crimes can be prosecuted as lynching when a conspiracy to commit a hate crime results in death or serious bodily injury.

Those found guilty of lynching can face up to 30 years in prison. Introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Andrew S. Clyde, R-Ga. were among those who voted against the new bill.

“By passing my Emmett Till Anti-lynching Act, the House has sent a resounding message that our nation is finally reckoning with one of the darkest and most horrific periods of our history and that we are morally and legally committed to changing course,” Rush said.

BREAKING: The House of Representatives just passed my Emmett Till #AntilynchingAct by a vote of 422–3!

This bill will ensure that the full force of the federal government is ALWAYS brought to bear on individuals who commit the monstrous act of lynching.

Now, on to the Senate! pic.twitter.com/VEbSuUBhNA

— Bobby L. Rush (@BobbyLRush) March 1, 2022

Named in honor of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy from Chicago who was lynched in 1955 after being accused of whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. Till was abducted from his family’s home, tortured, and fatally shot before being tossed into the Tallahatchie River.

While Till’s killers were arrested and charged with murder, they were eventually acquitted by an all-white, all-male jury. Following the acquittal, they sold their story of killing Till to a journalist, PBS reports. The murder horrified the nation and helped sparked the civil rights movement that kicked off with the Montgomery bus boycott three months later.

One of Till’s family members, who lived with the teen until his murder, applauded the new anti-lynching bill, as noted by ABC 7 Chicago.

“Hopefully people will think twice before they go out and commit a crime against a different person because of their race or gender or lifestyle,” Ollie Gordon, Emmett Till’s cousin said.

For the first time ever, 26 black artists and musicians, known as the 1 Tribe Collective, are nominated for a GRAMMY® Award. Part of the history-making GRAMMY® nominated group are sister-singers “The Magic Jones,” hailing from New Orleans, La.

“The Magic Jones” is comprised of New Orleans natives, Arin Jackson of GRAMMY®-nominated group, Brownstone, and her sister, singer/actress, Alexis Jones, whose performance credits include Tyler Perry’s “A Madea Christmas” as well as Kanye West’s Sunday Service Choir.

The duo was inspired to create music that both children and parents could enjoy listening to, with the goal of increasing ethnic diversity in lullabies and nursery rhymes.

“We thought it was so important to create Children’s music for people that looked like us. We were the only black women in the top ten for a Children’s album! So it’s obvious to see that other people felt the same way!” shared Arin.

“As an artist and mother of two young boys, I wanted to expose them to various elements of music as early as possible. During their toddler and pre-kindergarten stages, the options for the music we could enjoy together were somewhat limited which is why we sought to create this collection,” said Arin, who resides in Atlanta with her husband and two children.

“With so many families with young children under quarantine, it gave us the opportunity to collaborate again on something timely and meaningful” added Arin.

Prior to the collaborative project, “The Magic Jones” was inspired to create R&B music for parents coping with homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic with the goal of increasing ethnic diversity in lullabies and nursery rhymes. The lens of their work aligned squarely with the goals of the collective album before it was even created.

In late November, The Recording Academy announced that All 1 Tribe was one of five albums earning a GRAMMY® nomination in the Best Children’s Music Album category.
“This GRAMMY Nomination is bigger than The Magic Jones sisters. It’s about paving the way and opening new doors for future generations. We had a dream, believed in ourselves and are now making history. Grateful to God,” said Alexis.

Released on Juneteenth, June 19, 2021, All 1 Tribe spans musical genres and is suitable for families and children of all ages. The tracklist addresses topics of STEM, vaccinations, family, Black history and the beauty of differences. The collective’s single, “1 Tribe” brings the artists together for an energetic expression of universal belonging and unity.

During last year’s GRAMMY® process, the overt exclusion of Black artists among the “Best Children’s Album” GRAMMY® nominees sparked a larger conversation about the lack of representation in the family music space. That exclusion, combined with nationwide protests following the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, inspired Arin & Alex, along with fellow musicians Amelia Robinson and Aaron Nigel Smith to join forces and bring this project to life.

• Women

by Derek Major

March 1, 2022

Black Women Are Turning To Doulas, Minority Midwives As Pregnancy Related Deaths In Black Women Rises

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It’s no secret the COVID-19 pandemic had a profoundly negative effect on Black women, but one area that wasn’t discussed: Black women who die while giving birth.

According to newly released data from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black Americans represent 13% of the population but account for almost one-third of total maternal deaths in the U.S. Additionally, pregnancy-related deaths among Black women have increased from 44 per 100,000 in 2019 to 55.3 per 100,000 in 2020.

Many of the reasons for pregnancy-related deaths can be attributed to systemic racism in the healthcare industry.

Additional research indicated Black women often struggle to get the right diagnosis, have symptoms dismissed or ignored by doctors, and the statistics back it up. Black women are more likely to give birth prematurely, have emergency C-Sections, and are less likely to be treated for pain.

These statistics have led Black women to take more control of their pregnancies and start looking for alternative options to childbirth. Laila (who requested to be called by her first name to hide her identity), who’s in her second trimester, told NBCLX she was determined to control her pregnancy, hiring a doula, whose top responsibility is to support the mother during pregnancy and birth.

Black women have been turning to doulas in increasing numbers, and studies show doulas improve pregnancy outcomes, specifically for women of color. Laila is also working with a birthing center that includes a racially diverse group of midwives for prenatal care and delivery.

Many Black women across the U.S. are making similar decisions, hiring other women of color who have given birth more than once, knowing what women are going through during labor, and listening to their concerns and requests. In hospitals, the doctor controls the situation and, as a result, often won’t listen to a Black mother concerning pain management during labor and childbirth.

Doulas and minority midwives can make women feel more protected when giving birth, providing a comfortable environment instead of a cold, white hospital room, which could lead to a shift in birthing services in the medical industry.

For much of 2020, while countries worldwide fought against the COVID-19 pandemic, creativity became an outlet to help people cope with harsh and uncertain circumstances.

As a stand against police brutality, art curator and culture advocate Nakia Booker showcases Black narratives through artistic expression. The Southern University and A&M College graduate is the mastermind behind The Black Artivism Capsule—a curated art collection made by 26 gifted Black creatives worldwide during the 2020 pandemic.

Featured artists include Raphael Adjetey Adjei Mayne, Ashley Nesmith, Khalid Thompson, and the late Crystal Kirk. Exploring art by photographers, painters, digital creatives, and more, the unique capsule explores “the lives and times of Black people, as defined by Black people.”

 

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“The place where I was at this time when all this was going on—I was feeling upset, angry, frustrated, like everybody else. This project I started during the pandemic gave me hope and joy because it is timeless. It captures the past, present, and future, so when you look at it, you’ll be reminded of where we used to be and where we are now,” Booker told AfroTech.

During the wake of the pandemic, Booker witnessed the havoc that was brought on by the deaths of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, John Lewis, Chadwick Boseman, and Kobe and Gigi Bryant. She wanted to create a sanctuary for art to transcend time and space through the lens of Black creatives.

“When George Floyd happened, and we all came together, it was a shift and different from the past. It wasn’t just Black people; it was people from all over the world, which has never happened before, Booker said.

“I feel like with those combinations together, love, unity, and peace, you can’t go wrong. So, with a project of this magnitude, what makes me so proud is when you look at it, you’ll be reminded of where we are now.”

While shedding light on the Black community in turmoil, MMXX: The Black Artivism Capsule is a timeless moment of hope and joy. The experience has now been expanded from a physical spread to a digital collection of art from a variety of artists. Dubbed as a virtual museum experience, users can embrace its essence while a curated playlist of music artists aims to elevate.

 

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“Hopefully, everybody will be moved in a way when they see this book to find something that inspired them or something they love to contribute to the culture and to just put out in the world for themselves,” Booker said. “Because I feel like when you look at this book, even though it was created during this time of chaos, there is still Black joy included in it and so many different facets of art.”

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 1, 2022

Judge Will Allow Testimony From Witness Who Alleges Don Lemon’s Accuser Sexually Assaulted Him

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CNN host Don Lemon is embroiled in a lawsuit brought on by Dustin Hice.

In the lawsuit filing, Hice claims he bumped into Lemon at Murf’s Backstreet Tavern, a Sag Harbor bar, in 2018. And later that night, Hice alleges that Lemon approached him, put his hands down his pants, rubbed himself, and then put his fingers under Hice’s nose while asking Hice whether he liked “p**sy or d**k.”

The pending federal civil trial will start with jury selection in June in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, and a man has stepped forward to say that Hice assaulted him in the same way he alleges that Lemon did. The judge will allow that testimony to be heard in the case, giving Lemon an edge to prove his case, The Advocate reports.

The Backstory

Lemon’s accuser, Hice, alleges that back in the summer of 2018, he recognized the CNN journalist at a bar in the Hamptons and offered to buy him a drink. Lemon supposedly declined the offer but allegedly made advances toward Hice, which Lemon denies.

Now, with the start of the trial approaching, someone who went to high school with Hice is claiming that is  Hice did the same thing to him years ago. Now, that person will be allowed to testify in the case as a witness in Lemon’s defense.

Hice says the interaction with Lemon left him humiliated, saddled with mental health problems, and unable to return to his summer job as a bartender on Long Island.

Last week a judge allowed Lemon to add William Erdmann to his witness list. Erdmann’s testimony is expected to question whether Hice’s claims are true or if he made the entire incident up. Erdmann, who is gay, claims that he and Hice went to high school together at Lake Worth Christian School in Boynton Beach, Florida. He is saying that Hice and his friends bullied him because they suspected he was gay. Erdmann says that Hice did exactly the same thing that he’s accused Lemon of doing.

Last year, Erdmann saw a clip of Hice accusing Lemon while appearing on the Megyn Kelly Show. He took to social media to speak about his experience with Hice and his friends.

Wouldn’t you know it, I went to High School with Dustin Hice. In high school, he and his friends did the VERY THING he is accusing Don Lemon of doing to me!

He and his friends bullied me so badly for being gay that I had to switch high schools my Junior year

His claims are fake https://t.co/XV9YBe29sm

— WillfulThought (@WillfulThought) November 13, 2021

The lawsuit against Lemon accuses him of assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Lemon, 55, has denied Hice’s claims. “The plaintiff in this lawsuit has previously displayed a pattern of contempt for CNN on his social media accounts,” a CNN spokesperson told Deadline when the suit was filed. “This claim follows his unsuccessful threats and demands for an exorbitant amount of money from Don Lemon.”

FedEx Logistics, Inc., a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) announced its deepened commitment to Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) with a new $100,000 scholarship endowment funded by FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program.

The scholarship announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of a $1 million pledge by FedEx to MVSU to fund a customized career readiness program, part of a $5 million commitment to four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Mississippi and Tennessee. FedEx Logistics currently operates an office on the campus of MVSU, which employs students, building a pipeline of talent to support customs brokerage operations, according to a press release.

“FedEx Logistics is committed to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and this is a clear example,” said Dr. Udo Lange, president and CEO of FedEx Logistics.

“I am proud of our full-circle relationship with MVSU. FedEx Logistics will continue breaking down barriers so that underrepresented groups have a roadmap to access and achieve success.”

Since 2019, FedEx Logistics has operated a satellite office on the MVSU campus in Itta Bena, Miss., staffed with qualified students. The office provides professional opportunities for students, building a pipeline of talent to support the industry-leading customs brokerage operations of FedEx Logistics. With the scholarship endowment, the company continues to expand its relationship with MVSU.

“The relationship between MVSU and FedEx has been very beneficial for the students at our university. The company’s continued support has been paramount to our efforts to encourage and inspire our scholars,” said Dr. Jerryl Briggs, Sr., president of MVSU.

“The new scholarship endowment will contribute to student success and give MVSU scholars a blueprint to aid in their educational and career path. We are thankful to FedEx Logistics and FedEx Cares for the work it does in providing the underrepresented student population a chance to further their knowledge, growth, and success.”

The endowment by FedEx will assist in achieving MVSU’s goal that no student is turned away because of the inability to pay for their education. Eligibility will depend on a student’s satisfactory academic standing, as determined by the university. Students from MVSU are also eligible for participation in the FedEx-HBCU Student Ambassador Program, announced in early February 2022.

The scholarship announcement reinforces the longstanding commitment of FedEx to advancing inclusion and empowering economic opportunity in the Black community. Through skills training programs, mentoring, and collaboration with leading national and local organizations, FedEx is focused on making the communities it serves more equitable, helping empower diverse voices, and providing access to leadership, educational, and employment opportunities.

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

March 1, 2022

Will Smith Shares Denzel Washington’s Inspiring Words After SAG Win

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Adding yet another trophy to his mantle of awards, Will Smith said that his recent Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor was “one of the greatest moments” of his career.

But, according to Smith, hearing his mentor Denzel Washington telling him that “this is your year” was an achievement as well.

The “Fresh Prince” won the award for his role as Richard Williams, father of tennis pros Serena and Venus, in the film King Richard. According to People, Smith acknowledged Washington and their relationship and spoke about what the most Oscar-nominated Black actor of all time said to him amid his first SAG Award win.

• Career

by Jeffrey McKinney

March 1, 2022

Here’s Why Eight Million Black Americans Quit Their Jobs

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Painful traits like discrimination, verbal abuse, and sexual harassment caused legions of people to walk away from their jobs last year.

Those attributes fed a dire work climate for many people. A toxic company culture (31%), changing career goals (30%), and burnout (29%) were among the top reasons people quit working, new research shows. All in all, a reported 47 million Americans gave up their jobs in 2021.

The 47 million were part of the Great Resignation, an economic trend that started early last year when people left their jobs searching for larger pay, better benefits, and healthier workplaces.

The study by Real Estate Witch was based on an online survey conducted this past January of 1,000 people who quit jobs last year, including 169 who identified as Black. The responses revealed that some 80% of workers reported that COVID-19 influenced their resignation decision.

One in four of them did not give their employers notice at all, and 1 in 8 “ghosted” or left with no explanation. Saying goodbye was not just about money. Some 53% reported a salary cut in their new job. The average pay cut was around $8,000, but many job seekers would take a greater cut. Some workers who left and are still looking for jobs reported they would work on average for $23,000 less in their next role. Yet, some 57% of employees cited some regret about resigning, especially those with no new work opportunities.

Jamie Seale, the study’s author, says employees are reassessing if their workplace is the right fit for them. She added for Black employees—who tend to experience discrimination at higher rates than other racial groups at work, experience more microaggressions than their white counterparts, and are underrepresented in senior roles—the Great Resignation allows them to find more inclusive workplaces where they’ll have more opportunities.

Seale says her firm estimated that eight million Black Americans walked off jobs in 2021. She explained of the 169 Black employees surveyed, 57% of them, or 96 workers, found employment. This compared with 65% of the overall respondents surveyed.

“The reason for that small, but noticeable difference may be because only 47% of Black respondents had a job lined up before resigning, whereas 55% of overall respondents had another offer before quitting.”

Among Black workers who resigned and later found employment, she says the most popular employment sectors were education (9%), human resources (5%), and retail (5%). Seale pointed out that national data shows some of the most significant increases in job openings occurred in education and retail, making them appealing industries for job seekers.

A creative visionary is on a mission to space, and as he embarks on his journey, he has a message to spread.

Jesse Forte, known as Jforte, is an emerging artist, author, analog astronaut, and creative research officer at Space Is More. The multitalented creative had a dream at a young age to reach “Infinity and Beyond,” inspired by Buzz Lightyear.

As of July 2021, Jforte gets closer to his dream as part of the Lunares Research team in Poland, where he was able to conduct research in Oral Care, Music, Phlebotomy, the study of DNA, EVA missions (Space Walks), and much more.

Now, Jforte is preparing for his second analog training and hopes to set out for space within the next 18 to 20 months, according to Afro Tech. While doing so, the ambitious space enthusiast is eager to inspire the young Black community who strive to contribute to space exploration.

“Letting the young kids from around the world—especially little Black girls and boys that look like me—see that it’s possible for a brother with melanin dripping from his veins with dreads and gold chains to go to space. I want them to say ‘If he can do it, I can too,’” Jforte told the news outlet.

The anticipated embarkment has ignited in Jforte his love for music. The aspiring “first emcee of NASA” will be fusing a new musical project with his upcoming mission. Inspired by his previous astronaut training for the Sensoria X Mission, an album entitled “Lunares | M4” will be released. The music chronicles the stories of music, love, life, and science with blends of indie rock, hip-hop, lo-fi, rap, and Jazz. The album received support and help from the All-American Analog astronaut team.

“There are so many architects, mathematicians, scientists, engineers, and other types of academia that are involved with NASA and becoming astronauts…. But there aren’t any creatives. I want to be the creative mind that challenges that and spreads the message that space is for everyone,” said Jforte, according to a press release.