Ciara Brings Awareness In ‘Cerving Confidence’ Cervical Cancer Campaign
by Andrea Blackstone

June 23, 2021

Ciara Brings Awareness In ‘Cerving Confidence’ Cervical Cancer Campaign

Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Ciara Wilson is collaborating with The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) and Hologic’s Project Health Equality to remind Black women to guard themselves against cervical cancer.

The “Cerving Confidence” initiative encourages women to stay on top of their well-woman exams, according to a news release. Hologic’s Project Health Equality’s website explained that the initiative offers a combination of research, education, and access to address the disparity in healthcare that Black and Hispanic women receive. According to a report by Kaiser Family Foundation, there is a notable difference in the care that women of color receive, compared to their White counterparts.

According to BWHI, it is the sole national nonprofit dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice for Black women. Health advocates are raising awareness with Wilson to share a simple way for Black women to take care of their health.

“As Black women, we need to commit to total self-care, and one of the ways we can do that is by taking care of our health inside and out,” Wilson said. “Through the Cerving Confidence initiative, I want to level up conversations about health and address disparities by giving Black women the inspiration and information they need to get a Pap test to screen for cervical cancer.”

Per the press release, COVID-19 may have widened health disparities, since the pandemic caused many women to delay their well-woman exams. This can also lead to an advanced cervical cancer diagnosis or more serious outcomes. Research already indicates that Black women who live in the U.S. are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer than White women. Linda Goler Blount, MPH, president and CEO of BWHI, added that too many women are dying from preventable cervical cancer. However, screenings can protect women who take this preventive measure.

This is the message that Ciara is promoting through her platform.

“I want to encourage women to understand the importance in this case how you can serve confidence and get ahead of everything. The cool thing is you can prevent cervical cancer. How amazing is that?” Ciara said  to CBS News. “Go out there and make an appointment. Put yourself first, you have to. Putting yourself first is everything. Then you can take off and be your best self in every way possible.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that screening tests can be conducted in a clinic or doctor’s office.  A Pap smear looks for precancers, while the HPV test checks for the virus (human papillomavirus) which may cause cell changes. Women should begin getting Pap smears at  21 years old, according to the CDC’s recommendations.

You can see Ciara’s public service announcement and CBS News video by clicking this link.

by Valerie Rainford

June 23, 2021

Without Access To Talent Data, Chief Diversity Officers Are Ill-Equipped For The Job

There are a few signs that a company isn’t serious or doesn’t understand what it takes to advance racial equity, and not giving their chief diversity officers (CDOs) access to talent data is one of them.

I am blown away by how many CDOs tell me they do not have access to this information. Think about it. How can a CDO establish a diversity strategy without vital information about where the organization’s gaps are? How does a CDO have a substantive dialogue with their HR colleagues, talent management team, or senior leadership about driving a diverse talent strategy without underlying talent data? Does an organization truly trust their CDO if they are unwilling to give them access to the information?

These are the kind of questions CEOs should ask themselves, and ones CDOs should ask prospective employers before accepting an offer to work for an organization giving them a lofty title with no ability to make an impact.

Too often, corporations under pressure to meet diversity goals place people of color into virtuous-sounding roles without any power. CDOs without talent information may focus on marketing, branding, business resource groups, and inclusion efforts instead. More recently, they may even host Truth Talks or Courageous Conversations but to what end?

Eradicating systemic racism in the workplace demands more than fan-fared announcements of individuals with no resources to affect change. CDOs running intangible programs not intentionally focused on equity don’t fix the core problem either. A commitment to digging into organizational talent data to identify, analyze, and rectify problematic trends is what’s required.

It is also essential for CDOs to have more than headcount and representation figures, which typically only gives point-in-time information. We know that Black and Latino headcount is flat or down in many organizations, especially at executive levels — the real questions are why and in which businesses do the gaps need the greatest focus?

Data access should include everything from sourcing, recruiting, progression, culture, and exit information. The reports educate the leadership team about unique organizational challenges they must commit to addressing. The board and CEOs of organizations should also hold leaders accountable for improved results like any other business strategy critical to the organization. Only through intentional analysis of this information can CDOs start recommending targeted actions to fix issues.

CDOs do not own the outcomes; business leaders who hire (and fire) the talent do. However, CDOs can be change agents in this space if they have adequate tools to work with, including data to understand where problems exist. Factual trends can’t be denied, and once presented to the rest of the C-suite, it is hard for business leaders to keep up the facade of diversity and inclusion versus doing real equity work.

What current statistics show

According to a report by Russell and Reynolds, only 35 percent of CDOs have access to employee demographic data, which makes it clear why their impact has been marginal, at best. From 2019 to 2020, Facebook reported a tiny jump in Black leadership staff — from 3.1 percent to 3.4 percent. It made much better improvements for hires in non-technical, non-leadership roles.

Microsoft has similar results, although its gender gap closed at a more significant rate from 2019 to 2020. According to its blog, “Black and African American employees are 4.9 percent of our U.S. workforce and 5.2 percent of individual contributors, but only 2.9 percent of managers, 2.6 percent of directors, and 2.9 percent of partners and executives.”

The solution to this dilemma doesn’t have to be a complicated or drawn-out process. It’s in the data, and CDOs can drive change if given a fighting chance.

While many have applauded companies for hiring CDOs and taking a public position on racial equity, neither of those matter without results. The only way to get results is to know what you are solving for, have a baseline to measure outcomes and hold leaders accountable for them. There are still too many leaders who confuse goals and success metrics with quotas and hold their organizations back. Leaders who understand the advantages of a diverse team to an organization’s success will embrace a metrics-driven strategy and arm the CDO with all the tools to drive change.

Lack of diversity in the workplace has been problematic for a long time, but it doesn’t have to remain that way. Building equitable processes to recruit and retain diverse talent is possible. It takes intentional focus by the CEO and a CDO partner who is empowered with facts to work with the leaders who ultimately own improving diverse talent outcomes for their businesses.

The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author’s and not necessarily the opinion of Black Enterprise. 

Virginia Union HBCU Teams Up With Apple To Launch Smart Campus
by Derek Major

June 23, 2021

Virginia Union HBCU Teams Up With Apple To Launch Smart Campus

Virginia Union University (VUU), a private HBCU, will team up with Apple to create a culture of innovation by providing first-year students with a technology bundle.

The initiative, called Mobile Learning, Mobile Life will provide incoming freshmen with an iPad Air, Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Watch, and AirPods Pro to support students’ education and campus life needs at VUU.

The initiative demonstrates the importance the university places on providing students with the best tools for the student to be successful in their college careers and prepare them for the digital age and workplace requirements of the future.

“Creating a Smart Campus at VUU is critical to the academic learning environment of a 21st-century student. Apple has the products, apps, and professional learning support that will allow our students to access books, classes, and research materials at their fingertips,” Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, president and CEO of Virginia Union University said in a statement. “Our collaboration goes much further than technology; Smart Campus will help as we prepare students to enter the workforce, putting them on the path to generational wealth.”

Each incoming freshman class will receive the bundle beginning with the freshman class of 2025. Additionally, VUU will offer Apple’s coding and app development curriculum to all students in an effort to prepare them for technology careers post-graduation. This initiative will also help grow the number of students of color in STEM professions.

The Mobile Learning Mobile Life Initiative will turn Virginia Union into a smart campus giving students and faculty the opportunity to better connect and engage during their higher learning experience.

“At Apple, we believe education is a powerful force for equity and opportunity, and we’re excited to work with Virginia Union University to support their new Mobile Learning, Mobile Life initiative,” Susan Prescott, vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations and Enterprise and Education Marketing said in a statement. “We’re proud that Apple products will be an integral part of student life for VUU Panthers, and can’t wait to see where the future takes them.”

Earlier this month, Apple launched a $100 million racial justice initiative to increase spending with Black businesses and recruit HBCU students for technology classes and degrees.

by Daron Pressley

June 23, 2021

This Community Leader Is Building an Africatown to Fight Gentrification in Seattle’s Central District

Community leader K. Wyking Garrett is designing programs and initiatives that inspire, mobilize, and activate communities for sustainable social impact. Recognized in 2019 by Seattle Times as one of 13 influential people of the decade, Garrett is a third-generation community builder, social entrepreneur, and current president and CEO of Africatown Community. 

A catalyst for numerous ventures, including the Africatown Seattle community development initiative, Liberty Bank Building, and Umoja Fest, Garrett understands the importance of community and rebuilding sustainable Black communities. 

BlackEnterprise.com recently discussed Africatown Community, building sustainable communities amid gentrification, and how to fight the systemic injustices we face. 

Tell me about Africatown Community. What was that aha moment where you said I’ve got to make this happen? 

It has been a progression. We are an asset-based community focused on preserving and developing the historic Black community that’s called the central district neighborhood in Seattle. For almost 140 years the central district has faced displacement and gentrification. We are focused on creating models that drive Black communities through post-gentrification and in other locations to be ahead of gentrification. 

What programs and invitations are executed to drive the social impact you are shooting for?

Within the development sector, our programming is around providing targeted technical assistance to maximize the participation of Black firms and contractors on the projects. Through the affiliate’s initiatives in the Africatown ecosystem, we have an education innovation center to introduce young people to technology innovation and entrepreneurship early in their developmental years. In addition, we support our creatives through partnerships with the city and commercial advertising agencies. 

How can we change the narrative in regard to people of color existing in a certain class and being relegated to that class?

  1. Exposure to the economic impact that we have is critical. Much more exposure to training and institutions focused on capturing the value that we create and circulating dollars within that. 
  2. Access to capital. 

How has the pandemic positively and/or negatively affected your programs, development, and initiatives?

The pandemic disrupted everything which caused people to pause and think about ways to do things. COVID-19 created problems that we could participate in and solve. It exposed the compounding inequities that have always existed, which create a big gap and disparities in healthcare and access to healthcare in our communities. 

What advice do you have for Black people as we continue to face systemic injustices?

This is simple but the execution is harder: We need to organize around a singular pillar and then focus on strategic and actionable solutions.

Tiffany Haddish Says Wearing Hair Bonnets Publicly Should Have ‘Respectable Limits’
by Andrea Blackstone

June 23, 2021

Tiffany Haddish Says Wearing Hair Bonnets Publicly Should Have ‘Respectable Limits’

Anyone can have a lazy hair day when styling it is not a high priority, but Tiffany Haddish weighed in on the hair bonnet controversy saying that wearing them publicly should have “respectable limits.”

Haddish — who is an actress and Grammy-winning comedian — recently spoke with journalist D’Shonda Brown via Zoom about body positivity and the bonnet debate that left Mo’Nique feeling frustrated with Black women. In the conversation, Haddish told Brown that when it comes to bonnet-wearing in airports, she agrees with Mo’Nique that it should get the thumbs-down.

“You spend all this money for an airplane ticket, you might as well get dressed up because you never know. I was always taught to make sure your drawers are clean and you look decent, especially when you’re moving and traveling around because if something happens to you when they got to cut your clothes off, you want to be decent,” Haddish told Brown. “It’s about respecting yourself. I ain’t going to lie to you, I run out in the streets in my bonnet sometimes just to run to the store real quick but we got to have some dignity in ourselves. When you dress a certain way, it tells people how you feel about yourself.”

The bonnet debate is now extending to workplaces. Should women wear bonnets during work calls on Zoom or to work? Refinery29 writer Sydney Clarke explored the idea of doing her hair for meeting calls on Zoom, amid working from home.

“Working from home should offer us the same sigh of relief as when we take off our bra or heels at the end of the day, but the fact that I still hustle to do my hair for my virtual meetings says the opposite,” Brown said in the article.


She took the initiative to organize a Zoom Bonnet Meeting (ZBM) which was comprised of six Black women who work for Refinery29 and Vice. The dialogue centered around hair, and if they still felt like getting glammed up, even when work duties are not in-person. Brown said that the women showed up in bonnets for the discussion.

“When you’re in a group of women who look like you, it feels more like family, like a safe space; there’s an understanding there. I don’t have to explain myself,” Stephanie Long, the senior editor of R29Unbothered, remarked during the ZBM.

“When you’re in a group of people that’s outside of that understanding, that’s outside of your community, you definitely think about how you’re coming off to other people.”

by Selena Hill

June 23, 2021

Nearly 20,000 Creatives of Color Attend CultureCon At Home

A star-studded lineup of entertainers, entrepreneurs, and influencers appeared earlier this month at CultureCon At Home, The Creative Collective NYC’s (The CCNYC) annual conference built for and by creatives of color.

For the first time, the conference took place on a virtual stage and was completely free of charge, giving attendees access to hours of insight, tools, and resources to advance in their professional and personal lives. CultureCon At Home featured inspiring conversations with high-profile figures like Michael B. Jordan, Naomi Campbell, Billy Porter, and Netflix chief marketing officer Bozoma Saint John. It also offered break-out rooms, mentorship office hours, skill-building workshops, a podcast pitch competition, and panel discussions that touched on a range of topics from social media marketing to financial literacy to the intersectionality of race and the queer experience.

According to Imani Ellis, the founder of CultureCon and The CCNYC, nearly 20,000 people logged into the event.

“Even in a pandemic, our community showed up for us in unbelievable ways. Over 18,000 creatives from 170 countries around the world tuned in to @culturecon at home,” wrote Ellis in a caption of a picture of herself with CultureCon At Home host Saweetie on Instagram.

 

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CultureCon At Home kicked off June 7, featuring daily sessions throughout the week, followed by a high-impact weekend of celebrity one-on-one chats and performances. During the interactive summit, attendees connected in real-time through live chats and were given the opportunity to shop at an online marketplace featuring minority-owned small businesses. The conference also included a digital scavenger hunt and a 3D sculpture garden showcasing art by Hank Willis Thomas.

CultureCon hosted its first event back in 2017 and has since evolved into the fastest-growing conference for multicultural creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals. Each year the summit convenes Hollywood stars, business leaders, influencers, and major brands in a one-day experiential affair in New York City. Ellis, however, was forced to cancel CultureCon along with other in-person events scheduled last year due to the pandemic. Rather than producing a virtual version of CultureCon in 2020, The CCNYC launched the Creative Curriculum, a series of online masterclasses that focus on entrepreneurship, creative innovation, professional and personal development, and financial literacy.

CultureCon At Home will still be accessible up until June 28 at CultureConAtHome.com.

 

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 23, 2021

Michael B. Jordan Apologizes And Vows To Change Name Of Rum Brand After Change.org Petition

The people have spoken and after Michael B. Jordan faced a wave of backlash over the name of his J’Ouvert Rum brand with many people taking issue with the Black Panther star’s use of the name and lack of cultural ties to it, he has decided to listen to the people and course correct.

Jordan posted a message to his Instagram story on Tuesday, apologizing and vowing to change the name of his rum brand after he was criticized for its use which is “deeply rooted in Trinbagonian and Caribbean culture.”

Screenshot Instagram

He wrote: “I just want to say on behalf of myself and my partners, our intention was never to offend or hurt a culture we love and respect and hoped to celebrate and shine a positive light on. Last few days has been a lot of listening. A lot of learning and engaging in countless community conversations… I hear you and want to be clear that we are in the process of renaming.”

A Change.org petition gained traction online and has more than 11,000 signatures.
The petition was started to stop Jordan, citing inaccuracies with his trademark.

It reads: “The word J’Ouvert is deeply rooted in Trinbagonian and Caribbean culture. 

The word J’Ouvert heralds the annual indigenous festivities of T&T’s beloved Carnival, which began in the 1800s and is still practiced globally by people in and from the Caribbean. 

“The name J’Ouvert originates from the French jour ouvert, meaning day break or morning, and signals the start of Carnival.” (NYC.gov)

Hollywood actor Michael B. Jordan is celebrating the launch of his newest venture, a rum titled, J’Ouvert. SEE HERE.

It was recently discovered that in the official USPTO filing by Attorney Ryan Louis Shaffer for the use of the word J’Ouvert, under international classification 33: Alcoholic beverages, except beers (U.S. codes 047, 049), the official document states that, “The wording “J’OUVERT” has no meaning in a foreign language.”(SEE HERE)

The petition which was started by Caribbean American blogger and podcaster Jay Blessed, outlines a number of demands to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj even weighed in and on Tuesday urged the actor to change the name of his brand — which he ultimately decided to do.

“I’m sure MBJ didn’t intentionally do anything he thought Caribbean ppl would find offensive,” Nicki said in a post, “but now that you are aware, change the name & continue to flourish & prosper.”

Some commenters believe Jordan is “stealing the culture.”

Another person on Change.org, Jarrah Faye said, “I’m not Caribbean but I’m Senegalese, and I understand what it feels like to have your culture taken for granted! I’m signing in solidarity!”

Looks like the whole ordeal was a teachable moment for Jordan.

REVOLT Presents: “Kingdom Culture” Series With Bishop T.D. Jakes
by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 23, 2021

REVOLT Presents: “Kingdom Culture” Series With Bishop T.D. Jakes

The legendary Bishop T.D. Jakes has teamed up with Diddy’s REVOLT to broadcast his weekly Sunday services on the platform.

REVOLT now airs the sermon series, Kingdom Culture with Bishop T.D. Jakes, powered with evangelistic sermons and conversations which are hosted by the global Christian leader and broadcast from The Potter’s House Church in Dallas.

“This partnership is a landmark moment for REVOLT, expanding into the faith space to create a program that will inspire millions around the world to have hope and walk in their power,” said Sean “Diddy” Combs, Chairman of REVOLT.  “Bishop Jakes is one of the most transformational leaders of our time who has made a profound impact on my life, so we’re honored for him to join the REVOLT family and use his gift to empower the culture.”

Launched on Sunday, June 20th, Kingdom Culture featured the visionary trailblazer’s weekly Sunday service, preaching about topics such as vision, leadership, growth, power, love and more, allowing him to reach mass audiences through REVOLT. Bishop Jakes’ powerful words of inspiration have reached millions of people from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, nationalities, and creeds. With the addition of this show, the platform aims to amplify the sermons, garnering attention from hip-hop and culture fans nationwide..

“We are so honored to have the legendary Bishop T.D. Jakes join the REVOLT family. This partnership transports REVOLT to new heights, reiterating our mission to create curated, impactful content,” said Detavio Samuels, CEO of REVOLT. “Bishop Jakes’ weekly service has been a motivational outlet for the Black community, especially during the last year, and we’re pleased to expand his reach to our network.”

Kingdom Culture showcases thought-provoking and enlightening words from the influential leader to REVOLT’s young audiences. Jakes, a New York Times bestselling author of more than 40 books, is also the CEO of T.D. Jakes Enterprises whose ventures in media, entertainment, business and real-estate continue to amass a global footprint.

Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes, will also re-broadcast the special forums, master class conversations and international dialogues Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House often host throughout the year with some of the world’s most respected public figures. The gravity and power of T.D. Jakes’ voice and influence extends to business, entertainment, politics and global humanitarian work which are expected to be included in forthcoming Kingdom Culture episodes.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with REVOLT, as it is a great opportunity to further expand our reach to a younger generation. In the last year or two, many young people have been adversely affected by a mix of economic woes and a pandemic both here in the United States and around the world,” remarked Jakes.  “I am looking forward to an alliance that engages with this unique audience while also empowering and uplifting them.”

 Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes premiered on REVOLT’s linear TV channel on Sunday, June 20th at 9AM ET with consecutive episodes airing every Sunday.

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