According to Deadline, Warner Bros. has acquired the rights to Marvin Gaye’s biopic “What’s Going On.” The project is being produced by hitmaker Dr. Dre, former Interscope Records honcho Jimmy Iovine , and Andrew Lazar.

The film will be directed by “Menace II Society” director, Allen Hughes, with the script penned by poet-playwright Marcus Gardley. The estate of Marvin Gaye is directly involved and the Motown label is on board so there will be no issues when it comes to the rights of music and material.

“This is so personal for me,” Hughes told Deadline. “When I made my first film with my brother, we were fortunate to get “What’s Going On” into the trailer for Menace 2 Society, and it was a game-changer in elevating the marketing of that film.

“Every film of mine but the period film From Hell had some Marvin Gaye in it, and I’ve just always connected to him. He’s the artist’s artist, with this ethereal voice that just comes out of the heavens. There have been plenty of great artists, and then Marvin, in his own lane. When you listen, in one measure you feel like you’ve read a novel,” he said.

The “Beats By Dre” duo of Dr. Dre, and Iovine have been pretty busy these days. Earlier this week, it was reported that the Los Angeles Unified School District is collaborating with music producer and entrepreneur Iovine and artist, producer, and entrepreneur “Dr. Dre” to launch a new high school in South L.A. focused on developing young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs.

As previously reported, the new high school will be similar to USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy’s unique educational model. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional student outcomes. The school’s curriculum focuses on multidisciplinary, hands-on learning, with a strong emphasis on real-world projects with top companies and nonprofits.

The film will have the biggest budget for a Black music biopic, which is rumored to be more than $80 million.

• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 18, 2021

Pfizer Announces Ramcess Jean-Louis as Global Chief Diversity, Equity And Inclusion Officer

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Pfizer has recently announced that the company has named Ramcess Jean-Louis, Esq. as Global Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer.

Jean-Louis, who is originally from Brooklyn, New York, is the holder of a Juris Doctor degree from New York City’s Columbia University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.

Jean-Louis was recently employed at Verizon Media where he served as Global Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer. He goes to the pharmaceutical company with more than 20 years of experience as a change agent who had delivered human capital solutions and also had a passion for helping all employees reach their full potential and fostering a culture of continual learning and inclusion where he worked.

In this new position at Pfizer, he will be solely responsible for developing and leading the execution of the company’s global, enterprise-wide strategies to transform its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion agenda while creating strategies, infrastructure, and programs to make sure that Pfizer continues to enhance the type of culture where every person is seen, heard and cared for.

Before he joined Verizon Media, he had the position of Director of Workforce Diversity and Inclusion at Comcast. In that role, Jean-Louis was responsible for developing and executing strategies that made Comcast more reflective of the communities in which the company served and drove diversity across all levels of the organization. He was tasked with having responsibility for the Employee Resource Groups, the live national Employee Enrichment Series broadcast, national partnerships, outreach programs, military hiring, and diversity councils and champions.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Derek Major

June 18, 2021

Stacey Abrams Said She Is Open To Sen. Joe Manchin’s Compromise On Voting Rights

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Voting rights advocate and activist Stacey Abrams said she “absolutely” supports Sen. Joe Manchin’s (D-WV) compromise on voting rights.

Sen. Manchin is essentially holding President Joe Biden’s agenda at gunpoint as he opposes both his infrastructure bill and H.R.1 voting bill. Manchin’s office released a three page memo outlining his voting right proposal.

The proposal included a two-week early voting period, eliminating partisan gerrymandering to get fair voting maps, making Election Day a national holiday and increasing access to absentee balloting. However, Manchin’s proposal keeps voter ID requirements and allows state election boards to purge rolls, two of the most common ways Republicans suppress Black voters.

“What Sen. Manchin is putting forward are some basic building blocks that we need to ensure that democracy is accessible no matter your geography,” Abrams said Thursday during an interview with CNN, “and those provisions that he’s setting forth are strong ones that will create a level playing field, will create standards that do not vary from state to state and I think will ensure that every American has improved access to vote despite the onslaught of state legislation seeking to restrict access to the right to vote.”

Abrams is one of the leading advocates for increased voting rights amid a Republican push to suppress Black and minority voters. Since Former President Donald Trump’s election loss more than 100 bills have been introduced in 48 states putting restrictions on early voting, mail-in voting absentee ballots and even food and drinks. Georgia, where Abrams previously ran for governor., has already passed its voting restrictions bill into law and as a result, Major League Baseball has moved its All-Star Game from Atlanta to Colorado.

During the interview Abrams was asked about voter ID laws, which she believes isn’t a big issue considering you already have to prove who you are in order to vote.

“That’s one of the fallacies of Republican talking points that have been deeply disturbing. No one has ever objected to having to prove who you are to vote,” Abrams said. “It’s been part of our nation’s history since the inception of voting. What has been problematic is the kind of restrictive IDs we’ve seen pop up.”

Abrams followed up by mentioning several states have made it harder for Native Americans and students to vote.

Despite Manchin’s opposition to H.R.1 Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is planning to move the bill in its current form for votes next week. Manchin said he’s undecided on the bill.

• Business

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

June 18, 2021

Rapper And Social Activist David Banner Talks ‘Culture & Cashflow’ At Traffic, Sales And Profit Conference in Atlanta

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Rapper and Social/Civil Activist, David Banner, stopped by TSP Live on Thursday for a special fireside chat with Traffic Sales and Profit (TSP)founder, Lamar Tyler. The conversation, which was centered around “Culture & Cashflow,” explored the ethos of the Black community and the business thereof.

As customary with his unapologetic nature, Banner discussed everything from Tulsa to mentorship to discipline and educating our own as well as his own personal business growth and the responsibility of Black people with each other.

“My business has grown, exponentially, at the rate that I was able to learn,” said Banner. “You are a slave to whatever you don’t know, or to whatever you haven’t done yourself. Part of our job, as Black people, is to educate the people who are our constituents.”

Tying into one of the TSP themes, “We are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For,” Banner shared, “Black people supporting Black people is waging war with white people just by spending your money with each other. We are a multi-trillion-dollar spending conglomerate. People don’t want you to spend with yourself. People don’t want you to love yourself. People don’t want you to network with each other. If Black people don’t see the value in themselves, how do you think they will feel about your business?”

“Somebody asked me if there was one piece of advice I would give a Black business, what would it be. I said, ‘teach a history course’… If we’re going to talk about Tulsa, we have to talk about the mistakes. They had the businesses, they had the money, but they did not have the army… the only way that you learn is through your mistakes.”

TSP Live is an intimate, three-day, deep-dive sales and marketing boot camp. At TSP Live, attendees learn the tools and skills necessary to drive more traffic and leads to their websites, convert more sales of their products and services and increase more profit in their small businesses.

The conference which takes place in Atlanta, will continue through Saturday, June 19. For more information, log on to www.TrafficSalesAndProfit.com.

Through the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and its 37 partnering historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Tampax is helping Black women to pursue healthcare careers.

Procter & Gamble’s leading tampon brand is providing $200,000 annually to students who attend participating HBCUs through the Flow It Forward Scholarship program, according to a press release. Tampax is positively impacting tomorrow’s Black women physicians and healthcare workers, by teaming up with UNCF and its 37 partnering HBCU schools to offer the scholarships.

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@Tampax supports #HBCU students through scholarship program in partnership with #UNCF #HBCU #scholarships https://t.co/OCmSUYWoA3

— UNCF (@UNCF) June 16, 2021

“The last year has been unlike any other, and unprecedented events like a global pandemic and racial unrest have not only elevated awareness of the racial disparities that exist in healthcare, but they have also made pursuing degrees even more difficult for Black women,”  Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s President and CEO said in a press release. “The Flow It Forward scholarship combines Tampax and UNCF’s shared commitment to investing in education, thus making a step to reducing racial disparities and increase Black representation among healthcare professionals. We agree that ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,’ and we are happy to partner with Tampax on this four-year scholarship program.”

As stated in the press release, Black women account for less than 3% of doctors in America. One Twitter user is chronicling her journey as a Black woman who is moving up the ranks in the medical field. We need to see more stories like @BEINGDRBERNICE’S.

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One 17-hour exam, two days-long, two hour drive out of town to get a spot, and $900 later…

The United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 3 (& all Step exams for that matter) is officially in my rearview! Praise 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/qJDbYRIGue

— Bernice, MD, MPP | EM Resident, Policy School Grad (@BeingDrBernice) June 18, 2021

In keeping with this idea, Camille Zahniser—the senior brand director of North America Tampax—said that time will be needed to increase the number of African Americans in the medical field. As stated on Tampax’s website, championing change-makers is another way the company is helping make change happen.

“Supporting and trusting UNCF’s incredible experience and expertise in funding education at HBCUs will help further our mission to positively shift the healthcare industry to one of equal representation,” Zahniser also said.

Lynae Vanee—who said that she is partnering with Tampax—is helping to spread the scholarship information on Facebook.

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“Black Doctors are so important!!! Especially when data shows that Black people, especially Black women, are often mistreated, misrepresented, and ignored by healthcare providers… we need to ensure there is enough adequate representation to significantly reduce/eliminate that norm. And we start by making sure the girls who dream to enter the medical field can afford to do so,”  Vanee said.

Visit this link for additional scholarship details.

The Fresh Prince will be producing new content for streaming giant Netflix.

According to Variety, Will Smith, the former rapper and superstar actor is preparing to host and star in a new one-hour comedy variety special that will be streaming on Netflix. The forthcoming special will feature a variety of performances that will include comedy sketches, musical performances, surprise celebrity guests, and noteworthy discussions among other things. The variety show is scheduled to launch on Netflix globally later this year.

Smith’s production company, Westbrook Studios is on board to produce the special for Netflix. Smith will also be taking on the role of executive producer while handling the responsibility of starring and hosting the special. Westbrook Studios’ Terence Carter, Miguel Melendez, Sahara Bushue, and David Boorstein will also executive produce.

Last month, Smith announced another project he is embarking on. The highly paid entertainer has vowed to get back into the “best shape” of his life–and YouTube will be there to record it.

“This new six-part fitness unscripted series from Westbrook Media and YouTube Originals is the story of Will Smith, looking up one day to find himself in middle age, rebuilding his body into the best shape of his life and getting his groove back along the way. This is the fun, funny, inspirational, wildly adventurous, and deeply entertaining story of Smith challenging himself to improve every aspect of his fitness, from agility to power to recovery and more, teaming up with guests including pro athletes, scientists, and experts, and top YouTube creators.”

“This is the body that carried me through an entire pandemic and countless days grazing thru the pantry. I love this body, but I wanna FEEL better. No more midnight muffins…this is it! Imma get in the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE!!!!! Teaming up with @YouTube to get my health & wellness back on track. Hope it works! : @westbrook @aidan”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Will Smith (@willsmith)

• Education

by Derek Major

June 18, 2021

Apple And Google Award More Than $50 Million To HBCUs

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Apple and Google have awarded more than $50 million to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to help bring diversity to the tech industry.

Apple announced Thursday it will award $5 million in “Innovation Grants” to Alabama A&M University, Howard University, Morgan State University, and Prairie View A&M University. The grants are part of Apple’s Silicon Initiative to help prepare HBCU students in technology careers in disciplines such as hardware technology and silicon chip design.

The grants will also support each HBCU’s engineering program and help expand emerging technology coursework and expertise according to USA Today. John M. M. Anderson, the dean of Howard University’s College of Engineering and Architecture said Apple’s commitment will include more than money.

“Apple will collaborate closely with our computer engineering faculty to strengthen our course offerings and laboratory capabilities in the areas of integrated circuit design, fabrication, and testing,” Anderson said in a statement. “Additionally, through design projects and internships, our students will have the opportunity to engage with Apple engineers and benefit greatly from their knowledge, experience, and mentorship.”

Google also announced it will give out $5 million grants to ten HBCUs including Howard, Morgan State and Prairie View as part of its initiative to “address the diversity gap in tech.” The grants will go towards scholarships and technical infrastructure for in-person and remote learning and well as curriculum and career support programs.

The other seven HBCU schools that will receive a grant are Claflin University Clark Atlanta University, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University, Spelman College, Tuskegee University and Xavier University.

Google Chief Diversity Officer Melonie Parker said the $50 million commitment is the tech giant’s largest to date for HBCUs and part of the company’s dedication to closing diversity gaps in education and technology.

“These initiatives are designed to build equity for HBCU computing education, help job seekers find tech roles, and provide opportunities to accelerate their careers,” Parker said in a statement. “(These grants) further solidifies our commitment to providing access and opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech. We’ll continue to partner closely with HBCUs to achieve this shared goal.”

The grants by Apple and Google are the latest moves by the tech giants to add diversity and inclusion to the technology industry. According to the Kapor Center, Black professionals are significantly underrepresented in the tech industry. Just 5% of the tech workforce, 3% of tech executives, and 1% of tech founders and Black men and women.

by Christian Spencer

June 18, 2021

A Black Mother And Her Children Called N-Word And Assaulted By A Pepper Shaker At Pizza Joint

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At a Brooklyn, N.Y. pizza joint. a Black mother, accompanied by her two children had pepper thrown at her by a racist stranger who called her the N-word.

Last Friday, an unnamed white woman, wearing a winter jacket in the Brooklyn heat, was seen at Not Ray’s Pizza on Fulton St. cursing and being racist toward a Black mother of two, The New York Daily News reported.

Related stories: AFTER COMPLAINING THAT HER WHITE CO-WORKERS USED THE N-WORD, BLACK WOMAN SUES RED ROBIN OVER METAL FOUND IN HER SALAD

According to WCBS, it is implied that the 36-year-old victim was an immigrant based on the reasoning and racist ranting on the deranged white woman.

“Go back to your country,” the suspect said. “You [N-words] don’t belong here.”

Recalling the incident last Wednesday, the mother said that the white woman directly called one of her children the N-word.

“She said ‘[f-k] your baby, [N-word],’” the victim recalled. “To my 4-year-old, she called him a [N-word] and said ‘Get out of this country.’”

The victim’s children are a 5-month-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.

“My 4-year-old was extremely distraught and upset,” the victim told the Daily News. “He asked, ‘Where are we going to go?’ And I had to explain to him that we’re from here, born and raised in Brooklyn.”

The suspect, resembling a homeless and elderly person, left the pizzeria screaming and carrying a hand truck.

The victim believes the strange woman had Tourette’s because she was minding her own business at the cash register until the woman threw red pepper at her.

The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force on Friday said they are looking for the suspect to potentially charge her with a hate crime, and people who live in and around the area can contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

“Capital One is committed to advancing racial equity, justice, and inclusion for associates and communities. We strive to lead by example, be a champion for equal protections, and create opportunities that uplift the diverse communities we serve. As a small step in a continued series of actions to advance our commitment to racial equity, Capital One is permanently recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday and will be closing our U.S. offices on Friday, June 18, and branches on Saturday, June 19, in observance. We’re proud to be able to provide our associates with the time to be with family and to reflect on the historical significance of the day, while honoring the ongoing contributions of the Black community on our shared society.”

—Corey Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations Capital One Bank

Following the death of George Floyd, Capital One pledged an initial $10 million to organizations advancing the cause of social justice for Black communities and made investments with the National Urban League and the Obama Foundation.

Later that year they launched the Capital One Impact Initiative, with an initial $200 million, five-year commitment to support growth in underserved communities and advance socioeconomic mobility by closing gaps in equity and opportunity. The Impact Initiative builds upon Capital One’s core mission to change banking for good, and its priorities around racial equity, affordable housing, small business support, workforce development and financial well-being.

“At Capital One we believe our growth and success as a company provides us with an extraordinary platform to tackle the root causes of this challenge. We have the opportunity and the obligation to leverage our scale and resources, and to harness the ingenuity and empathy of our associates, to be an engine for progress. ” said Andy Navarrete, Capital One Executive Vice President and Head of External Affairs.