WATCH: Harvard Diversity Project Names 25 African American Students To 2022 Debate Team
Twenty-five African American high school students from Atlanta got the surprise of their lives when they learned this past week that they earned a coveted spot on the Harvard Debate Council’s Diversity Project’s 2022 team.
The students beat out thousands of applicants and screamed and jumped for joy as they learned that they would represent and start a yearlong journey of training in Atlanta as part of their debate residency and competition at Harvard University next summer!
As we previously reported, Brandon Fleming, founder and CEO of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, created the program as a African American feeder institution to Harvard’s elite debate program. The announcement was made June 16 at the Book Boutique in Atlanta.
Fleming told BLACK ENTERPRISE that although 2020 and 2021 was rough business-wise because the pandemic, he feels confident that the students who have won competitions three consecutive years in a row, will rock the year ahead.
“2020 was a tough year, but we made the best of it – understanding that we had a job to do,” Fleming said.
Renee Mack Jones of OneAccord Mediation, and a parent of one of the students, Eleanor Jones, who earned a spot on the team, told BLACK ENTERPRISE, she is excited about Eleanor’s new journey.
Eleanor Jones earned a top spot on the Harvard Diversity Project debate team. Photo courtesy of Renee Jones
“It’s amazing to see your child work so hard for something and then get to witness the joy on their face when they actually achieve it,” she said.
Eleanor, 16, a rising 11th grade student at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, was just as excited to see all her hard work realized when she secured a top spot.
“Throughout my entire academic career, I don’t think that I have ever wanted anything more than to be a part of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project ( @harvarddcdp ). When I started the application process in February, I had no idea how much applying alone would change me. Now that I’m officially a part of the Harvard Diversity Project class of 2022, I could not be more excited and scared of the journey ahead. I am ready to be intrusive in spaces that are not inclusive. Thank you @_themissb_ and @bpfleming for giving me the opportunity to leave a mark on the world through this program!!!,” Eleanor said on Instagram.
The next six months the students will be in training with Fleming. Harvard instructors who will fly down to train the students in critical thinking, analysis, research, and much more.
The Executive Leadership Council Announces “Build, Grow, Protect!” a $6M Philanthropic Investment in Sustainable Strategies To Address The Racial Wealth Gap
The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), the preeminent global organization of Black executives dedicated to developing the next generation of Black C-suite and executive board leaders , announced “Build, Grow, Protect!”, an initial three-year, $6 million investment strategy designed to build, grow and protect black wealth in America.
Inspired by the events surrounding Juneteenth and Black Wall Street, the ELC’s “Build, Grow, Protect!” initiative is strategically designed to strengthen, diversify, and expand the organization’s commitment to propelling upward mobility in the Black community by building capacity in nonprofits, creating programs that will grow wealth, and investing in programs that protect the civil rights, history, and culture of Black people in America.
“Build, Grow, Protect!” will be kicked-off through a strategic partnership with Goalsetter, a Black and female-owned fintech platform founded by former corporate executive Tanya Van Court that embodies the ELC’s vision, goals, and mission of eradicating the racial wealth gap in America through education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.
“Tanya and Goalsetter personify the mission of the ELC and the promise of what Black America can and should be when we show up to support and foster our own,” said The Executive Leadership Council President and CEO Michael C. Hyter. “The ELC is proud to embark on this mission with Goalsetter to ensure that Black Americans never again have to wait for financial liberation and will instead have the opportunities and resources they need to thrive, succeed and begin building generational wealth, as a community and for their community.”
Goalsetter CEO Tanya Van Court created the platform in 2018 with the sole mission of building the next generation of Black and Brown savers, investors, and owners through financial education and the acknowledgement that every Black and Brown child has the power to help close the wealth gap in America once and for all.
Research published by the Institute for Policy Studies and Prosperity Now shows that by 2053, Black households will have a median wealth of zero. Given this trend, the ELC recognizes that the Black community does not have time to wait for others to eradicate systemic racism which has kept Black people at a stark economic disadvantage over the rest of the population, despite a rise in education levels.
“The intention of the strategy is to allow other individuals and organizations to join The ELC in accomplishing this goal because the initiative is scalable and replicable, potentially resulting in a multiplier effect,” adds Hyter. The ELC comprises a powerhouse set of Black executives from some of America’s most prominent corporations who believe that the next critical wave of liberation for the Black community is financial freedom and that as a group, they must be the ones to lead the charge to build, grow, and protect Black wealth now.
EXPANDING AND DIVERSIFYING ELC’S MISSION
The second major initiative to be launched under the “Build, Grow, Protect!” framework is the Nonprofit Capacity Building & Workforce Development Program. This program will focus on amplifying Black centric non-profits and ensuring the development of Black talent outside of academia – a chronically overlooked and underemployed talent pool.
As part of this effort, the ELC will source exceptional non-degree talent candidates (ELC Fellows), match them with pre-selected nonprofits, and pay their salary for one year as part of their growth with the organization. The ELC will also provide leaders at each non-profit and ELC Fellows with access to its stellar professional development platforms. Nonprofits and individuals interested in the program will be invited to apply when it’s launched in Q4 2021.
As part of the ELC’s initial three-year investment strategy, the organization will also expand its scholarship programs, establishing a partnership to place 50,000 Black students on high-growth STEM career paths, and partnering with various local and national organizations that advocate for the protection of civil rights for Black Americans.
About The Executive Leadership Council
The Executive Leadership Council, an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation founded in 1986, is the preeminent membership organization committed to increasing the number of global Black executives in C-Suites, on corporate boards, and in global enterprises. Comprising 800 current and former Black CEOs, senior executives, and board directors at Fortune 1000 and Global 500 companies, and entrepreneurs at top-tier firms, its members work to build an inclusive business leadership pipeline that empowers global Black leaders to make impactful contributions to the marketplace and the global communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.elcinfo.com.
Howard University Alum Nicholas Perkins, Acquires $18M Fuddruckers Franchise
Luby’s, Inc. announced that the Fuddruckers franchise business operations will be sold to Black Titan Franchise Systems LLC, which is a newly formed affiliate owned by the visionary, Nicholas Perkins, an HBCU Howard University grad.
Perkins earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the long-respected university, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Business Administration and Management from Fayetteville State University, as stated in his LinkedIn profile. Perkins will make history through the $18.5 million purchase, according to Howard University.
A number of Fuddruckers restaurants were previously sold to a Perkins affiliate, making Perkins one of the largest Fuddruckers franchisees, according to a press release. Perkins is the CEO of Black Titan Franchise Systems LLC. MSN reported that Luby’s, Inc. is a Houston-based cafeteria chain which planned to liquidate its assets and dissolve it. In agreement with this, Black Titan Franchise Systems LLC was formed for the sole purpose of owning the Fuddruckers.
“We’re excited to be purchasing Fuddruckers and look forward to working with Fuddruckers’ many dedicated, highly capable franchisees to further build this brand,” Perkins said. “As a Fuddruckers franchisee, I have a vested interest in ensuring that all Fuddruckers franchisees have the resources, infrastructure, and operational and marketing support they need to maximize their return on investment. This strategic alignment, when combined with the fact that we sell the ‘World’s Greatest Hamburgers’™, will ensure the long-term success of the brand and our franchisees.”
As stated in Perkins Management Services Company’s website, Perkins is Chairman, President, and CEO of the Washington, DC based company, in addition to Perkins and Robinson Investment Group. Perkins’ empire and affiliates are inclusive of retail fast food industry dining services. However, custodial, facilities, and grounds maintenance were also mentioned as areas of specialty along with subsidiaries.
Perkins –who now owns a multi-million-dollar enterprise—was born and reared in Fayetteville, NC, according to Johnson C. Smith University. He was raised by a single mother and Mrs. Laurene W. Perkins, which was his grandmother who opened his eyes to culinary interests, Johnson C. Smith University reported. The businessman has also provided employment for individuals from underserved communities.
“ My grandmother was a phenomenal cook, she nurtured my passion for the kitchen, I knew that I loved to cook and had a passion for it but I also wanted to become an entrepreneur, so I merged the two and established Perkins Management Company,” Nicholas said.
At BE Summit, Chief Diversity Officers To Discuss How George Floyd Tragedy Reignited Corporate DEI
The events of 2020 – in particularly the murder of George Floyd – prompted an essential refocusing and expansion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, according to the top-tier corporate diversity professionals featured in BLACK ENTERPRISE’s DEI Virtual Summit on June 23.
The Summit’s Chief Diversity Officers Roundtable – entitled “Developing High-Impact DEI Agendas” – features leading CDOs speaking candidly and in detail about the impact of 2020 on their respective companies and how new awareness is driving change.
“[George Floyd] mobilized the hearts and minds of employees of all backgrounds,” says Wells Fargo Executive Vice President Jimmie Walton Paschall, who leads Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Diverse Segments at the company. “The power of this issue and the opportunities for us was that African American leaders across the company were willing to tell our own story. Eyes were opened in ways they had not been before. People realized they need to get more proximate to different.”
BLACK ENTERPRISE Senior Vice President and Editor-At-Large Alfred E. Edmond, Jr. moderates the roundtable, which delves into the changing expectations and increased influence of the chief diversity officer role in the wake of external events. While the events of 2020 have been instrumental in reigniting companywide DEI agendas, CDOs have been laying the groundwork for change for decades.
Sonia Cargan, Senior Vice President and Chief Colleague Inclusion & Diversity Officer at American Express, shares the company’s diversity success using quantitative data, including its 60% board diversity and 48% workforce diversity within the US. Such performance, she says, has been driven by Amex’s corporate culture. “You can have as much diversity as you want in your organization but if you don’t have an inclusive culture, where people know they belong and can be their very best selves, then you’re not optimizing the innovation and creative we know diversity brings to our businesses.”
Celeste Warren, Vice President, Global Diversity and Inclusion Center of Excellence at Merck, connects internal culture to the importance of a larger social agenda. “It’s not enough that we’re doing things inside our four walls, we have a responsibility to look outside to the community,” she says, citing the company’s work on health inequity and workforce development, starting with young people. “[We need to help] high school, middle school and college students understand STEM-related fields, especially Black and Brown students who may not see that opportunity. We need a pipeline to the future, and that has to be comprised of a diverse workforce.”
The BE DEI Summit goes live Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Join the Chief Diversity Officer Roundtable from 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Global Automaker Stellantis Teams With National Business League To Launch Black Supplier Development Program
Giant automaker Stellantis is partnering with the National Business League to create a one-stop portal for Black businesses to sell goods and services to potential customers ranging from the federal government to Fortune 500 companies.
The maker of such brands as Chrysler, Fiat and Jeep and the NBL are kicking off the Stellantis-NBL National Black Supplier Development Program. It intends to support the development of over 2.9 million Black businesses in America and internationally to do business with public and private sources.
The partnership reports the program — featuring a virtual training and development portal and robust resource marketplace that will qualify, train and develop sustainable Black businesses — will be the first of its type because another one like it does not exist.
Among its objectives, the program aims to provide Black suppliers with benefits that include getting access to capital, training and helping them secure future contracting and procurement opportunities in a post-COVID-19 pandemic economy. The program’s announcement is part of the 2021 observance of Juneteenth.
Plans call for Stellantis to anchor the development of a virtual training and development portal. It will allow the program to qualify, train and develop Black businesses for future contracting opportunities. Through the portal those firms will gain access to many resources, including mentorship, executive coaching, supplier training, supply chain solutions, along with talent placement and acquisition, to name a few.
So when will Black suppliers be able to tap into the new program?
Stellantis plans to begin a pilot run with several suppliers in January that will include companies outside the automotive space, Marvin Washington, the automaker’s director of electrical and electronics purchasing and head of the program, told Today News Post. The initial target was 10 companies for the pilot, but Stellantis is uncertain what the final number will be given the high demand already being generated. The partnership plans to open the program to all black suppliers by June 2022.
The fresh effort may allow Black suppliers to potentially reach big and small corporate customers in the U.S. and abroad they could not reach on their own.
Dr. Kenneth Harris, the NBL’s president and CEO, says the program is about building capacity and enabling companies to become qualified to take advantage of and be prepared to compete with future opportunities in the supply chain. The NBL calls itself America’s oldest and largest trade group for black businesses.
Harris notes statistics show that out of the 2.9 million Black businesses, 95% are not connected to the ecosystem and less than 3% of that 2.9 million are certified at a particular agency/certification. “It’s incumbent upon us to develop this future marketplace,” he says.
The effort could also help Black suppliers increase their revenues and gain new customers.
Harris added the new online virtual procurement and contracting marketplace will build a bridge between the public and private sectors to create substantive business opportunities for Black suppliers.
The program is needed to help advance stronger black entrepreneurship.
About 95% of Black-owned businesses today are mainly comprised of solopreneurs — home-based, one-employee enterprises — or are considered micro-businesses, officials stated in a news release. Of these, fewer than 3% are minority or agency certified, and most do not have the capacity, scope, and scale to meet the demands of future contracting and procurement opportunities with Fortune 500 companies and the federal government.
Further, COVID-19 has disproportionately affected Black businesses nationally. An estimated 40% of Black-owned businesses closed permanently in 2020, according to CBS News, while the digital divide has created a systemic barrier to entry into the marketplace among Black businesses.
“The upside potential for Black Business Enterprises is immeasurable when the focus is on development, equity and inclusion,” Harris stated. “This is where we truly start to level the playing field by bringing commerce solutions to the marketplace to solve economic problems.”
Washington told Black Enterprise via email data supports Black businesses are behind, as they have not shared economic prosperity in this country. “We know they are capable and what they need is support, building capacity and the best way to grow is through this supply chain in order to create sustainable businesses, opportunities, and generational wealth that has largely been denied over many years.”
Stellantis NV was formed this year after Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Peugeot-maker PSA Group up their merger in January, making the combined company one of the world’s largest automakers.
Mark Stewart, COO, Stellantis — North America, commented on the partnership.
“As a key part of our corporate diversity, inclusion, and engagement strategy, Stellantis is excited to partner with the National Business League to ensure that all Black Business Enterprises and suppliers have an equitable and inclusive stake in the global marketplace. Post-pandemic and in response to rising demands for social and economic justice for all people, finding equitable and impactful ways to engage and empower Black businesses is critical to the sustainable development of Black entrepreneurs and communities.”
Isiah Thomas, chairman and CEO of ISIAH International LLC, also reflected on the initiative.
“The Stellantis-NBL National Black Supplier Development Program is an idea whose time has come,” Thomas stated. “Equitable access to both international and domestic business opportunities by Black businesses is fundamentally important to the future of our economy and opportunities available to Black people and communities.”
Teen Who Was First Black Valedictorian At Her School, Is Heading To Harvard
Onovu Otitigbe-Dangerfield, who overcame self-doubt to become the first Black valedictorian at Albany High School, will be attending Harvard University in the fall.
As BLACK ENTERPRISE previously reported, Otitigbe-Dangerfield broke a barrier and became the first Black valedictorian in the school’s history. Her passion to become a biomedical engineer and neuroscientist on the pre-med track is now one step away as she heads to Harvard,PEOPLEreports.
“I had a very strong foundation [growing up] of watching Black men and women who were academically excellent succeed in whatever field they were passionate about,” Otitigbe-Dangerfield told PEOPLE. “So I never had a question in my mind that it was possible for me.”
The 18-year-old graduated from AHS at the top of her class, with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Screenshot: City School District Of Albany/Youtube)
The experience of going to Harvard, she admits, overwhelms her as she describes it as an out-of-body experience. However, she said that she has the right support system, like her mother Jessica Otitigbe, who is a 1992 alumna at AHS.
“She was always curious,” Jessica , 47, said. “As a young child, she was always asking questions, wanting to figure out how things are working.”
Even though Otitigbe-Dangerfield might have earned good grades, she developed a self-doubting personality better known as imposter syndrome.
“I wasn’t naturally able to get 100s in classes. It was a lot of staying after school with a teacher to figure out what I’m not getting… and tapping into a network outside of school, like my uncle and aunts who are engineers,” she said. “I struggled with insecurity, especially stuff like imposter syndrome.”
“What came naturally was learning how to advocate for myself and also being able to develop relationships with people who would advocate for me,” she said. “I’m fortunate I grew up where a lot of people saw my potential and never let me give up.”
That’s Him! Alyssa Scott Seemingly Confirms Nick Cannon As Baby’s Father On Father’s Day
Well, it looks like comedian Nick Cannon just might be the baby daddy after all.
On Father’s Day, Wild N’ Out model Alyssa Scott seemed to confirm she’s expecting Cannon’s seventh baby in what appears to be a snap snuggled up with the TV host and comedian.
In fact, on Sunday, Scott dropped the pic in her Instagram stories showing off her baby bump in a flowy royal blue and black dress while hugged up with a man whose head is turned but bears the same tattoos as Cannon, as Us Weekly notes and resembles him from the side angle.
It appears to show The Masked Singer star giving his baby momma her moment to glow on the ‘gram, while concealing his identity – a little. That could be because Cannon’s new girlfriend Abby De La Rosa just gave birth to twins, Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir, last week.
As we previously reported, Cannon and De La Rosa, a DJ and broadcasting professional, held out until Wednesday, June 17 to give us a glimpse of the little cuties with a picture simply captioned:
“JUNE 14TH, 2021. Welcome to the world Zion Mixolydian Cannon & ZIllion Heir Cannon.”
“#MyWorld #TwinBoys,” she added.
Scott, who appears to look like she is in pregnancy baby bliss with her head tilted back while caressed in Cannon’s arms, tried to confirm that the 40-year-old was the father last month in a since-deleted post referencing her unborn son as Zen S. Cannon.
The multifaceted entertainer has been a busy man with his Masked Singer duties, and a new talk show on the horizon, which will debut Monday, September 21, according to Broadcasting + Cable.
Cannon’s got quite the crew. He shares 9-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe with superstar Mariah Carey; he’s also dad to Golden “Sagon” Cannon, 4 and Powerful Queen Cannon, who was born in December to Cannon and Brittany Bell. Then there’s De La Rosa’s twins and now Scott’s a mom-to-be.
Good thing Cannon’s got quite a few jobs under his belt because those childcare bills are going to add up!
These Bone Conduction Headphones Offer Immersive Audio At $35
When you’re in the zone at work, you’d do whatever it takes to banish distractions. For many people, this means wearing noise-canceling headphones to try and drown out the rest of the world. But there are times where noise cancelation technology can prove to be a bit of a nuisance.
There are also situations where noise cancelation is deemed unsafe and uncomfortable. Luckily, you don’t need to completely block yourself from your environment if you want to focus. You can use something like the Zulu Exero, a headset equipped with bone conduction technology to let you experience truly personal out-of-ear audio. For a limited time, it’s on sale for $34.99, pricing that is better than what’s available on Amazon.
Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon, these headphones use a light vibration in the headset as they rest around your ears, so music is generated just for you without blocking out your surroundings. In short: it lets you enjoy immersive audio without totally blocking your environment. You wear it just above your upper cheekbone near your ears, and you’ll get out of ear audio that only you can hear.
This pair can be linked with Bluetooth-enabled devices for wireless audio streaming and has a built-in USB rechargeable Lithium-ion battery with a USB charging cable for easy refueling. Plus, thanks to the lightweight construction, they allow for all-day wear without causing any sort of discomfort.
The Zulu Exero headset is ideal to use while you’re on the move, on the road, in the home, on the job, and pretty much anywhere else. Usually retailing for $49, it’s on sale for only $39.99 for a limited time.
1 In 3 Pets Will Need Emergency Care – Here’s How To Best Protect Your Fur Baby
Our pets are way too much like us. Just like we can end up feeling under the weather in what feels like an instant, your dog or cat can go from spunky to sick in a matter of minutes, too. Instead of stress-Googling their symptoms in the wee morning hours, there’s a digital clinic for pets that’s available to you 24/7 so you don’t necessarily have to take time out of your busy workday to bring your pet to the vet.
Certain things that quarantine spurred can and should stick around, and vet telemedicine is no different. Meet your online vet, Pawp, who walks you through any and every situation relating to your pet’s health.
While we may be freaking out whenever our fur child seems even just a little off, not every situation is an emergency. Instead of racking up bills from emergency room visits, you can talk to a vet virtually now with Pawp. They’ll walk you through how to deal with any mishaps you can handle on your own, or how to provide moment-to-moment care when it’s an emergency that’s beyond your skill-set.
If you’re just looking for a quick opinion, you can shoot the providers at Pawp a text. If you’re feeling like connecting on a more personal level, phone calls and video chats are also an option. In two minutes or less, you’ll be connected with a vet.
Every 1 in 3 pets needs emergency medical care at some point in their lives, but it can cost between $800 to $1,500+ for a single visit. To ensure you’ve got your baby covered in case they become the one out of those three dogs, Pawp provides up to a $3,000 emergency fund per year to pay for those unexpected costs. All you need to do is talk to an online vet who greenlights whether it’s an emergency or not. Upon their approval, you’ll have access to the emergency fund. Think of it as a pet insurance alternative, but you reap even better (and less complicated) benefits.
All it takes is $19 a month, and you’ll be ready for any situation that life throws at you. Especially for pets with pre-existing conditions that don’t qualify for traditional pet insurance, Pawp can help regardless of your pet’s past health history.
You might be like Lewis from New York, a Pawp customer that was once quoted $215 a month for just accidental coverage when it came to two pets. That’s where Pawp comes in to make those numbers more sound.
The life of an entrepreneur or employee can get hectic, so squeezing in those appointment-free visits can solidify the goal of keeping your pet as healthy and happy as you would an actual child. No need to crunch numbers, shop around, and comb through endless reviews. Check out Pawp, a straightforward, innovative new way to make sure your fur baby lives a healthy and long life.
21-Year-Old Sha’Carri Richardson Is Now One of the Fastest Women in America; Lands Spot on U.S. Olympic Team
Track athlete Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100 meters at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on Saturday night. The event took place at the Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.
The 21-year-old competed against other young athletes for a chance to represent Team USA in Tokyo this summer.
Richardson Secures Spot on U.S. Olympic Team
Richardson sprinted to the finish line in the final seconds, earning her a winning time of 10.86 seconds. The second place finisher was Javianne Oliver, coming in at 10.99 seconds. Teahna Daniels finished third in 11.03 seconds. All three women have earned a ticked to the Tokyo Olympics. They will be participating in the Olympic Games for the first time. 2016 Olympian Jenna Prandini will be an alternate for the Olympic team, placing fourth in 11.11 seconds.
Family members cheered from the bleachers to celebrate Richardson’s victory. She showered her family with hugs and participated in an interview with NBC. She was asked to share her emotions and talk about making her first Olympic team.
“Emotionally…unbelievable,” says Richardson as she describes the moment. “The fact that I am an Olympian.. [It’s been] a dream since I’ve been young. I’m pretty sure everybody’s dream as a track athlete. Being happy is an understatement. I am highly blessed and grateful.”
During Richardson’s interview, she shared an emotional moment that took place in her personal life.
“Last week, finding out my biological mother passed away and still choosing to pursue my dreams. Still coming out here…still here to make the family that I do still have on this earth proud. And the fact [is] nobody knows what I go through. Everybody has struggles and I understand that. But y’all see me on this track. Y’all see the poker face I put on. But nobody but them and my coach know what I go through on a day-to-day basis.”
Becoming One of the Fastest Runners in History
While Louisiana State University (LSU), Richardson broke the collegiate record in the 100 meters at the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships.
In April, Richardson garnered attention for clocking a speed of 10.72 seconds at the Miramar Invitation. She made headlines as he sixth-fastest woman in history with the fastest time ever in Miramar, Florida. Her then-world leading record put her in the category of the top women on the all-time track and field list: Florence Griffith Joyner, Carmelita Jeter, Marion Jones, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, and Elaine Thompson.
According to Runner’s World, Richardson is now ranked second in the world. She’s right behind Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce of Jamaica. Fraser-Pryce ran 10.62, representing the second-fastest 100-meter time in history.
Richardson is a fan favorite and is well on her way to making history.
“I am getting ready to change the game. I am as good as I say I am. It’s something I haven’t really expected, something the world hasn’t been expecting,” the runner shared after her race in April.
