Traffic Deaths Skyrocketed During Pandemic For Black Americans Forced To Travel To Work
by Derek Major

June 22, 2021

Traffic Deaths Skyrocketed During Pandemic For Black Americans Forced To Travel To Work

Traffic deaths soared last year despite millions of Americans staying home during the coronavirus pandemic and according to a new report, Black Americans suffered the most.

According to estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) more that 38,600 people died in car accidents last year, the highest projected number since 2007, despite an almost 15% decline in miles traveled.

However, when broken down by race, the agency found a 23% increase in traffic deaths among Black Americans. Traffic safety advocates say the rise is concerning, but not surprising. With less traffic on the road, people tend to drive faster making roads and streets less safe for everyone including other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and mopeds/motorcycles. Advocates added location was less of a factor in the rise.

“Same story, different day. That’s unfortunate,” Charles Brown, the head of urban planning and policy for Equitable Cities.

It’s no secret that the pandemic exposed stark inequities between races and incomes in the U.S. One of the biggest differences in race and income during the pandemic is how Americans work.

According to a study from the Economic Policy Group, fewer than one in five black workers and roughly one in six Hispanic workers can work from home. At the same time, 30% of white workers, 37% of Asian workers, and 31% of non-Hispanic or Latino workers can telecommute. Additionally, the study showed Only 9.2% of low-wage workers can work from home. More than 60% of higher-wage workers can telecommute.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, said the numbers are unacceptable and added President Joe Biden’s American Jobs Plan has allocated $10 billion toward efforts to reduce traffic accidents.

Even before the number were released, Buttigieg commented on the racial disparities in traffic deaths highlighting research from Smart Growth America, a transportation organization, showing between 2010 and 2019, Black Americans were killed by drivers at an 82% higher rate than White, non-Hispanic Americans,

One of the biggest reasons for the disparity is due to systemic racism, Black Americans have been displaced over the course of decades  to build the Interstate Highway System which has led to worse traffic conditions and more traffic in minorities in Black neighborhoods.

Become An Expert Email Marketer With These $30 Courses
by Black Enterprise Shop

June 22, 2021

Become An Expert Email Marketer With These $30 Courses

When running a business, sending emails is one of the best ways to communicate with customers and attract more people to your brand. There are about 4 billion email users around the world, and since 99% of them check their inbox every day, you have a pretty good chance of reaching your target audience through email marketing.

If you’re looking to reach potential clients with a few messages, then the Complete Email Marketing Bootcamp will show you how to get started. The bundle includes 7 courses that cover a wide range of topics, including email etiquette, sending cold emails, email copywriting and more — and it’s all available now for just $29.99.

This bundle isn’t just for beginners — if you’ve already gotten into email marketing, but your messages aren’t having the impact you’d like, there’s a course in here to train you on writing punchy, powerful and persuasive emails. You’ll also learn to build an email list of customers, triple your sales through email marketing, interact with customers in a way that builds trust and confidence, and other strategies to keep your messages from going into your audience’s spam folder.

The Complete Email Marketing Bootcamp was created by Skill Success, a leading e-learning company with over 1,000 carefully curated and organized online video courses on different categories, including business and lifestyle. With an on-hand support team and a live chat option, you’ll have full access to experts that will guide you on each lesson.

This online bootcamp is on sale for just $29.99, which is under $5 for each course. When you go through these courses and apply the lessons to your business, all you have to do is sit back and watch your clicks go through the roof.

Prices subject to change.

by Chris Atwell

June 21, 2021

BLACK ENTERPRISE DEI Summit 2: Discover Why Corporate America Must Adopt ‘An Equity Mindset’ To Elevate Black Talent

To successfully elevate and retain Black talent in its organizations, corporate America must adopt an “equity mindset” that goes beyond the “false narrative” of the pipeline problem – one of many provocative concepts to emerge from BE’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Virtual Summit, which goes online Wednesday, June 23.

Presented in partnership with Toyota, American Express, Boeing, Merck and Wells Fargo, the Summit is the second in BE’s DEI-themed virtual event series, bringing together leading executives and thought-leaders to discuss strategies for driving change and expanding opportunities for African Americans in the corporate space.

John Rice, the founder and CEO of the DEI consultant firm Management Leadership for Tomorrow is a featured panelists in one of the day’s sessions, “What Corporate America Must Do to Elevate Black Talent.” Rice says companies miss one of the root causes behind why professionals of color lag behind white counterparts in upward advancement despite equal qualifications – the pressures of being the only one who looks like you.

“When you’re of one or one of a few, you will have deficits in confidence and it will affect how you navigate the organization,” Rice says. “We spend literally 30% of our brain energy every day asking ourselves] ‘How are people perceiving me?’ ‘If I make a mistake does that reflect on all African Americans?’ Our white colleagues are spending 0% of their brain bandwidth on these questions. We’re competing at a deficit.”

Also joining the panel is William Ampofo II, Supply Chain Vice President at Boeing Global Services, who also spoke to “the challenges of being one or sometimes the only African American in the room.” Ampofo talks about the responsibility of organizations to provide formal mentorship and sponsorship initiatives to foster a culture of support and belonging for African Americans at all levels. “It’s critical as we go forward and look at this next generation of talent. As we know, most organizations have their own cultures and sub-cultures and it’s good to have that support to help navigate the written and more importantly the unwritten rules that govern a particular organization.”

BLACK ENTERPRISE Executive Managing Editor Alisa Gumbs moderates the panel, which goes deep on the evolving challenges of Black executives seeking a sense of belonging within corporations while meeting the pressure to maximize performance.

Tune in to “What Corporate America Must Do to Elevate Black Talent” Wednesday, June 23, from 1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 21, 2021

United They Stand: Lala and Carmelo Anthony Attend Son’s Basketball Game Amid Divorce Suit

Lala and Carmelo Anthony might want the world to know that even though things are messy between them after it was learned the NBA player allegedly stepped out and got another woman knocked up, they intend on working together for the benefit of their kid.

And that’s understandable given that a grown-up’s mess-up shouldn’t shatter a child’s world.

On Saturday, their 14-year-old son Kiyan had the attention of both his parents during a basketball game in Miami, just days after Lala filed for divorce from Anthony after reports surfaced that a mistress allegedly birthed his newborns.

According to Hollywood Unlocked, an unidentified woman in Europe dropped alleged receipts of her rendezvous with Anthony. She also reportedly showed snaps of her newborn twins.

The woman also said that she knew Anthony was married but he “came off as single.” The lovebirds would even reportedly Facetime each other at night in the home he shared with the Power star, his wife Lala.

As previously reported, things heated up when Anthony’s side piece found out she was pregnant back in September. The 38-year-old woman reportedly planned to get a medically-induced abortion in Los Angeles, but Anthony reportedly wanted no parts of it.


The alleged sidepiece was also upset that Anthony hid her from Lala, his family, and the public.

The woman reportedly had the babies in April, two months before she was due in June.

Her baby boy is still reportedly in a London hospital.

The mistress reportedly feels like she got the short end of the magic stick, given that Anthony doesn’t want anything to do with her and his new babies. He does however reportedly takes care of his outside family financially and provides a place for his alleged baby mama to live. But the baby mama reportedly wants more.

Even though Lala slapped her husband with a divorce suit, she took to Instagram to give her baby daddy his props for being a good papa with a Happy Father’s Day wish.

Carmelo Anthony and son Kiyan (Lala Anthony Instagram)

“We spent all day cheering on Kiyan @blackopscadets at the Ballin on the Beach tournament. Super proud of my boy always,” Lala wrote in a caption on a pic of Anthony hugged up with his son.

“Happy Father’s Day Mel…Kiyan is blessed to have you as a dad.”

by Andrea Blackstone

June 21, 2021

She’s Back! Simone Manuel Flexes Her Swimming Skills At The Last Minute, Heads To Tokyo Olympics

There’s going to be so much Black Girl Magic at the Tokyo Olympics this summer. Olympic gold medalist, Simone Manuel, has made the cut and joins the Olympic USA Swimming team.

Manuel, 24, qualified to head to the Tokyo Olympics after competing in the women’s 50-meter freestyle final. Her head-turning accomplishment was made just a few short days after sharing her health challenges, according to USA Today’s report. 

Manuel got her mojo back and beat Abbey Weitziel in the women’s 50-meter freestyle.

“When I touched the wall, I literally was, like, ‘Please, God, please,’ and then I turned to my right and saw Abbey shooting over the lane line and I said I at least got first or second,” Manuel said in the interview with Houston Chronicle. “Then to turn around and see the first place was amazing. I had to sit back and just say ‘thank you, God,’ because I wouldn’t have made it here without the strength that he has given me to continue on this path.”

Manuel is a faith-filled swimmer who proves that adversity can build victorious strength.

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A post shared by Simone Manuel (@swimone)

 

13 News Now added that Manuel is a notable history maker, not a novice. The swimmer was the first Black woman to win an Olympic gold medal in swimming at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She previously won two gold and two silver medals in Rio.

Last March, Manuel failed to qualify for the Olympic trials because of overtraining, according to the Detroit Free Press. The swimmer needed to give her tired body a break because of sore muscles, sleeplessness, and feeling depressed or anxious, the outlet reports.

“I had moments where I didn’t even want to go to the pool because I knew it was going to be bad,” 13 New Now reported. “It was an uphill climb once I got back into the water. That was hard because I love this sport.”

USA Today shared Manuel’s sentiments about earning a coveted spot on Toyko’s Olympics team.

“More than anything I’m relieved just to be back on the team,” Manuel said, “and having another opportunity to swim for Team USA is just a blessing.”

 

Instagram- @swimone

 

 

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 21, 2021

Megan Thee Stallion Beefs With DaBaby On Twitter Over A Tory Lanez Collaboration

Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez are understandably still at odds after she accused the rapper of shooting her in the foot late last year. But the Hot Girl rapper seems to expect everybody, including DaBaby, to ride or die with her dislike of Lanez. But DaBaby’s trying to get the bag, and the two got into a heated back-and-force on Twitter over the rapper’s recent retweet that seemed to support Lanez.

Here’s what went down. DaBaby and Tory Lanez recently released a collaborative single. Over the weekend, someone referenced the two of them being “cool” because they both shot someone and didn’t have to go to jail.

For whatever reason, the post was retweeted by DaBaby’s Twitter account. DaBaby now claims he didn’t retweet it and that he tried to remove the post but Twitter wouldn’t allow it to happen.

Due to the retweet and the person involved in it, Megan felt offended and responded to the action that DaBaby’s Twitter account allegedly did.

That Tweet started a back-and-forth chain between the two artists.

Needless to say, we’re quite sure that this industry friendship is no longer valid.

Robert Branson To Take Over As MMTC President As CEO Maurita Coley Retires
by Derek Major

June 21, 2021

Robert Branson To Take Over As MMTC President As CEO Maurita Coley Retires

The Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC) has announced Robert Branson, the former FCC media and telecom industry lawyer, will be its new President and CEO.

Branson, the former president of the Federal Communications Bar Association, is a well known and respected lawyer. He previously served as an FCC staff lawyer and senior legal advisor and has years of experience in communications, strategic planning, minority business advocacy, and diversity and inclusion.

Branson also sports a wealth of experience in broadcast, cable, telecom, tech, privacy, IoT, broadband, AI, spectrum, and infrastructure.

MMTC Board Chair and Treasurer Ronald Johnson praised Branson in a statement he will make the Council stronger.

“We are confident that MMTC will be even stronger and more resilient than ever before under the leadership of Robert ‘Bob’ Branson, a well-known and respected public servant and telecommunications lawyer whom I greatly admire,” Johnson said. “Given President Branson’s many years of service in government and in the private sector, public and private entities, he is the perfect person to lead MMTC. We extend our deepest appreciation and many thanks to Maurita Coley who has, since 2012, served us admirably, with unparalleled integrity and transparency.”

Prior to being named MMTC President, Branson served as Counsel to Empire Consulting Group, a minority-led strategic business and public policy firm serving leading technology, wireless, cable and other industry clients. Before that, Branson served as the Associate General Counsel with Verizon Communications where he assisted in the 5G rollout for Washington D.C.

Branson said he is excited about joining the MMTC and is ready for the task.

“I am thrilled to join MMTC as its President and CEO and to build on its many years of first-rate advocacy to achieve diversity in the communications industries,” Branson said. “I have valued MMTC as an organization and have been part of the family of MMTC for many years. In fact, in 2017, I was blessed to have been honored with the Everett C. Parker Lifetime Achievement Award, MMTC’s highest honor. It is my sincere pleasure to stand on the shoulders of MMTC’s prior leaders as we celebrate our 35th anniversary year. I am ready and eager to engage with this board, our funders and supporters to lead MMTC through the challenges ahead.”

Former College Student’s Unused Meal Points Helped Feed the Homeless; Her Idea Went Viral
by Andrea Blackstone

June 21, 2021

Former College Student’s Unused Meal Points Helped Feed the Homeless; Her Idea Went Viral

Recycling can work, even when it comes to paying it forward with donating unused meal points in a college student’s world.

A Washington University alumna named Maya Nepos went viral on TikTok because of her unselfish idea to use her surplus meal points to feed the homeless in St. Louis, days before graduation. Most of Nepos’ classes were held online, which was the reason the points stacked up in the first place, according to Fox2Now.

“Let’s see if I can spend $600 in food in two days,” Nepos said in one of her TikTok videos.

After taking a friend to dinner on campus, and still having an ample stash of points left, Nepos decided to put the rest to good use. She purchased food from a campus market, then distributed it to people who needed care packages..

CNN reported that Nepos– who recently graduated with a psychology degree and a minor in marketing–racked up more than 7 million views on her Tik Tok account. She also provided approximately 40 care packages within the first few days. Nepos’ Tik Tok  video helped her catch the generosity bug. Her followers started chipping in via Venmo and PayPal donations, contributing to an additional $746 worth of care packages. They included fruit and vegetables, plus nonperishable food and even tampons.

“I actually was so focused on trying to make the donations stretch and finding deals on non-perishable food items that I actually forgot to buy my own groceries that day,” Nepos told CNN.

Six days later, the activist distributed 80 to 100 more packages, after using social media to further the good cause. So, how did Nepos get started using TikTok in the first place?

Student Life, Washington University’s student newspaper, reported that pandemic boredom led the former  senior to privately share videos with friends. However, she decided to let the public in on her opinions as political matters took shape—from Kanye West, former president Donald Trump, and the Tulsa rally, to the Black Lives Matter movement. Nepos now has at least 328.2K followers.

“Being able to relate to people is what gives me life,” Nepos said in the Student Life video. And her videos have clearly resonated with all types of demographics, from fellow Wash. U. students to moms living in Alaska. “I never would’ve met these moms from Alaska if it weren’t for TikTok,” Nepos added in the interview. “It kind of just makes your world bigger, which is awesome, so I kind of just kept doing it.”

 

 

 

 

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 21, 2021

Survey Shows Employees Don’t Think Companies Fulfilled Racial Justice Promises

In the last year, several major companies and corporations announced initiatives to further racial and social justice. However, a recent survey shows their employees don’t think they fulfilled their promises.

A new Racial Justice and Equity Survey from Benevity shows a trend in the number of companies that announced diversity and inclusion efforts that still haven’t been acted on. Results show only 26% of employees say their company’s racial justice commitments were fulfilled, while 61% of employees say they weren’t.

“I believe it is essential that businesses make meaningful investments in building diverse, inclusive workplace cultures,” Lisa Lewin, CEO of General Assembly, told USA Today. “At a minimum, when it comes to topics like racial justice or climate change, companies must ‘do no harm.’ “

The survey was conducted from May 24 to June 6 and spoke with 1,000 employees from Fortune 500 and mid-level companies. While a series of funding and initiatives have been rolled out in the wake of the murder of George Floyd, many have criticized the efforts for only being a move to stay on trend rather than a genuine nod toward equity and inclusion.

Of those surveyed, 70% agreed that it’s important for companies to have difficult conversations in the workplace about racial and social justice. Sixty-nine percent said they would recommend their companies to others if they saw more priority made in addressing sensitive topics like racism. More than a third of those surveyed said they would quit their jobs if their workplace didn’t start engaging in conversations of this type.

Another 55% called out their company leaders and said they addressed social justice issues in the last year but took no further action. Another 47% said they felt company leaders displayed the same or less amount of racial sensitivity in the past year.

“True social progress is not possible without the business community taking meaningful action to address the most intractable problems facing our world,” Lewin said.

President Joe Biden, Congress Still Divided On Infrastructure Package
by Derek Major

June 21, 2021

President Joe Biden, Congress Still Divided On Infrastructure Package

Reuters – President Joe Biden will continue discussions on U.S. infrastructure legislation this week, but the White House still has not agreed with lawmakers on how to pay for such a bill, officials said on Monday.

A bipartisan infrastructure plan costing a little over $1 trillion, only about a fourth of what Biden initially proposed, has been gaining support in the U.S. Senate, but disputes continue over how it should be funded.

Members of the bipartisan group, for example, have discussed indexing the gas tax to inflation to help pay for the bill, a provision that Biden has consistently rejected.

“We still have some sticking points, particularly around how we pay for this,” Brian Deese, director of the White House National Economic Council, told CNN on Monday.

Twenty-one of the 100 U.S. senators – including 11 Republicans, nine Democrats and one independent who caucuses with Democrats – are working on the framework to rebuild roads, bridges and other traditional infrastructure that sources said would cost $1.2 trillion over eight years.

One of the 21 senators, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, said on Fox News Sunday that if Biden wanted a $1 trillion infrastructure deal, “it’s there for the taking. You just need to get involved and lead.”

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday that Biden is expected to talk to lawmakers as soon as Monday, but she added that there’s not many weeks left for negotiations before Democrats decide to move forward on a party-line vote.

Biden, seeking to fuel economic growth after the pandemic, had initially proposed about $4 trillion be spent on a broader range of infrastructure that included fighting climate change and providing care for children and the elderly.

The White House trimmed the offer to about $1.7 trillion in talks with senators in a bid to win Republican support in the closely divided U.S. Senate.

Psaki said on Monday that the White House has not ditched its plan for additional spending on items like free pre-kindergarten and paid family leave. She said the White House never saw the infrastructure negotiations as “one step.”

“There is a reconciliation process that’s ongoing, and that addresses and includes a number of the president’s priorities,” Psaki said.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Lisa Lambert, Heather Timmons, Peter Graff and Cynthia Osterman)

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