Clark Atlanta University (CAU) announced that it will be one of the historically black colleges and universities which will prepare students for equity or alternative-credit investing careers, as a part of an extensive  $90 million joint initiative.

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“Investing in the future of our students at Clark Atlanta University is paramount toward the creation of pipelines designed to increase diversity in all industries, specifically the alternative investment industry.”
— @PrezGTFrench, Clark Atlanta University #CAU https://t.co/2FjGlNgz20

— Clark Atlanta Univ. (@CAU) June 16, 2021

The AltFinance: Investing in Black Futures”™ is an initiative which will be administered by ALT Finance Corp. This nonprofit was established by Apollo Global Management, Inc., Ares Management Corp., and Oaktree Capital Management LP. Each one of the firms committed $3 million a year,  over a period of 10 years to fund it, according to details.

Clark Atlanta University will kick off Alt Finance’s initiative. It is meant to attract, train, and provide career development, offer mentor fellowships, and scholarship opportunities for college students who attend CAU, Morehouse or Spelman College. The three inaugural HBCUs are part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), according to the announcement.

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The Wharton School said that their role will be proving a best-in-class virtual institute offering educational materials and tools.

“We are proud to play an important role in the creation of AltFinance which, through its efforts to support HBCUs, will make an immediate and positive difference for students of color,” Erika James, dean of The Wharton School explained.

Additionally,  the virtual institute will be open to HBCU  program participants. They will receive coursework and supplementary content developed by top professors and finance professionals. CAU’s press release also stated that students who are selected for mentored fellowships will be able to work with a mentor from the industry. According to The Wharton School, the fellowship component will entail partnership with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). This national nonprofit organization works to ensure that Black, Hispanic/Latino and Native Americans are able to thrive at the highest corporates levels in America. John Rice, founder and CEO of MLT, added that the alternatives investment industry is very influential.

“It’s a field for smart, creative and passionate people who can develop and execute ideas that break the mold. HBCU students should be prominent among the next generation of leaders for the industry,” Rice remarked. “AltFinance will be transformational for its future participants. They will have the chance to learn about investing and apply those skills to accelerate their trajectory as well as have a positive impact on our communities. It will be a game-changer for every one of them.”

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Christian Spencer

June 16, 2021

Pack Of Wild Dogs Mauled And Killed Black Elementary Honor Roll Student

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A Black 7-year-old boy from South Carolina who was an honor student, was mauled to death by a pack of dogs.

Shamar Jackson was killed on Sunday after he and his brother were walking through their neighborhood looking for their pet chihuahua, Marion, according to The State.

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“They couldn’t get away because it was so many dogs coming from different directions,” Carnell Jackson, the kid’s father said during a phone interview. Shamar’s brother managed to escape.

In the neighborhood, about 45 miles away from Myrtle Beach, it was reported that the vicious dogs came from a person’s yard that had a hole in it, according WBTW, a CBS-affiliated television station. 

The dogs’ owners have yet to offer an apology to the family, according to reports.

The Marion County Sheriff’s office said that it seized five dogs and a puppy at a nearby house and are investigating the matter.

“A search warrant was executed yesterday in the death investigation of 7-year-old Shamar Jackson. Five adult dogs and one puppy were seized from a property on Cleo Road. The investigation is active and ongoing, “ the department announced on Facebook.

“An account has been established at Anderson Brothers Bank for those wishing to donate toward the funeral cost for 7 year old Shamar Jackson. Shamar tragically lost his life earlier this week in a dog attack near Wilbur Road.

However, there is no word on anyone getting arrested or charged.

“I’m hurt. I want to cry but I can’t cry anymore,” the victim’s uncle Anthony Parsley said. “That’s my little fella there.”

“I didn’t think I would come home and find my son dead,” Jackson told McClatchy News. “I was just thinking he went somewhere and hid or jumped in a tree.”

Shamar was a straight A student at Lake View Elementary.

Hillsong Atlanta’s  Pastor Sam Collier is carving a new path through his church that infuses hip-hop gospel in an effort to reach broader and diverse audiences. This past week they kicked off worship services with the hope that peace, unity, and reconciliation would transcend through the Gospel.

This ain’t your grandmomma’s brand of praise and worship.

Collier is Hillsong’s first African American senior pastor. He and his wife Toni are trailblazing a new trail with a complete paradigm shift from the way “church” has been done in the past.

Hillsong Atlanta has seen its congregation grow during worship events the past several months. From 2,200 in-person attendance to more than 30,000 people online, culminating with a major inauguration on last weekend at the Atlanta Events Center.

“We believe that Contemporary Christian Music and Gospel, Pop and Hip Hop can effectively co-exist on a Sunday Morning, just like brothers and sisters who don’t look alike can effectively worship together. Jesus can unite us even in different expressions of the same message. Therefore, I’m excited to see what a Church like ours could become in a city like Atlanta!”

According to Collier, there were three services held on kickoff day. The services were electric to say the least, with GRAMMY-Award artist, Jonathan McReynolds, leading worship followed up by special messages from Senior Global Pastors, Brian and Bobbie Houston flying in from Australia (base).

Artists like gospel rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Lecrae, Mack Brock, Natalie Grant, Andy Mineo, Todd Galberth, Chante Cann and more have been part of the widely popular pre-launch worship nights, setting the tone for the diverse world-class worship music that seems to be Hillsong Atlanta hallmark. Moreover, diversity and multiculturalism is at the heart core of Hillsong Atlanta in every aspect.

Pastor Sam also shared a powerful message on racial reconciliation and revolution of values in Atlanta started by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., over 50 years ago. Dr. Bernice A. King  and several family members attended services and was honored publicly.

This historical collaboration with Hillsong has given Pastor Sam a platform to build the local vision and expand it throughout the south and across the nation.

“Church should be a place where black and white, Asian and Hispanics, republican or democrat can come together under the auspices of Christ Jesus and sit down at the table and finally learn how to love each other.” No absent of real issues but talking about those issues with love at the center.

Collier after serving in two major ministries in Atlanta—was exposed to both spectrums of the church experiences in terms of race and culture. He and his wife desperately wanted to find a balance and have a combined representation that represented the true family of God. Essentially, they said the Lord told them that they would have to build it! After sharing his comprehensive vision, Hillsong graciously invited not only a partnership with Collier, but they were open to the idea of a different kind of church addressing the relevant needs of the community.

After a year of virtual services for most churches, Collier’s embrace of a simultaneous fully digital and fully physical approach, with major outside partnerships, is a first. Pastor Sam Collier has partnered with Facebook and Lightworkers to augment and transcend the traditional church model. Facebook Executive, Nona Jones, Head of North American Community Partnerships and Faith Global was also in attendance.

Facebook and Collier are co-discovering how to launch a robust online church, which will pave the way for churches in the future to reach a broader audience while still meeting the in-person attendees’ needs. Lightworkers is also set to stream the services, further underscoring Hillsong Atlanta’s digital commitment. Currently, Lightworkers reaches over 20 million people monthly.

“It’s unbelievable to think that an organization as large as Facebook has agreed to help shape what the future of the digital Church could be.  Facebook has lent its development team to Hillsong Atlanta and together we are working on tools that will one day be able to help all churches.”

Follow Hillsong Atlanta on Facebook @HillsongAtlanta, Instagram @HillsongAtlanta and online at Hillsong.com/Atlanta

• Men

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 16, 2021

Oprah Winfrey Celebrates Black Fatherhood in New OWN Special

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Oprah Winfrey is celebrating Black fatherhood this Father’s Day through a special she co-hosted with actor Sterling K. Brown on her OWN network, Honoring Our Kings, Celebrating Black Fatherhood. 

The series celebrates the millions of present Black fathers across the globe through conversations with some celebrity dads, including John Legend, Kevin Hart, D.L. Hughley, Deon Cole, Tony Gonzalez, and Dwyane Wade..

“I had a father who took responsibility for me, even though he knew I could have been somebody else’s child,” Winfrey told People.

The special is something Winfrey had wanted to do for some time to help break the narrative and stigma that have plagued Black fathers for decades.

“I had this idea for several years. I wanted to elevate, lift up, and show the other side of the narrative that we always hear about Black fathers not participating in their kids’ lives and Black fathers not being there,” Winfrey told Entertainment Tonight.

The renowned talk show host and philanthropist continued to praise her father for helping to shape her life in all the right ways.

“I am the product of a Black father. Had my father not stepped in and taken responsibility for me, I certainly would not be sitting here talking to you, or have the life that I have,” she continued. “So I wanted the rest of the world to see that, to know that, to hear it, to feel it and to have Black fathers validated.”

She recalled her parents’ history and how her father rose to the occasion.

“My mother and father never married,” she said. “They had sex one time. He gets a letter after I’m born saying, ‘Send money. You have a daughter.’ And the reason he did, he said, is because it could have been him. And the responsibility that he took for me, not just a responsibility but care and love and direction and support as a young teenage girl, is the thing that made the difference in me being who I am now or somebody you would have never, ever heard of.”

She tapped Brown who was more than excited to work with Winfrey. But filming the special proved to be an emotional journey for the two hosts.

“Sterling cried three times, I cried four or five times just in the taping of the special… I felt so proud of these men,” Winfrey said.

Honoring Our Kings, Celebrating Black Fatherhood premiered on OWN on Tuesday night.

Amanda Seales of HBO’s Insecure is developing a scripted series called Amanda Seales Is Difficult as a part of a deal with Bunim/Murray Productions, Deadline reported.

Bunim/Murray Productions (BMP) produced Keeping Up With The Kardashians, as well as other reality shows, and  unscripted series. In the Bunim/Murray Productions’ inaugural residency deal, Seales’ Smart, Funny & Black production company will be elevated by the studio and have access to its services.

Seales has kept busy. The former MTV VJ has performed stand-up comedy worldwide has hosts a weekly podcast, “Small Doses.”  Additionally, Seales created a touring variety game show called “Smart Funny & Black.” She also launched Smart Funny & Black Entertainment and creates comedic multi-cultural content.

“Instead of waiting for some network to give me a show I gave MYSELF a show! Watch “Views from Amanda Land” YouTube and IGTV,” Seales tweeted on June 12.

Instead of waiting for some network to give me a show I gave MYSELF a show! Watch “Views from AmandaLand” YouTube and IGTV https://t.co/JbeQQyXpIw

— Amanda Seales 🇬🇩✊🏾 △⃒⃘ (@amandaseales) June 12, 2021

“This residency with the team at Bunim Murray is a major elevation opportunity for Smart Funny & Black Productions, which has grown from the ground-up, rooted in using comedy to strengthen community,” Seales told RealScreen. “And what’s exciting about working with BMP, is that they’re not only mavericks in the unscripted space, but they’re also actively expanding their slate to other formats. I’m incredibly excited to be a driving force in bringing Black comedic narratives and joyful stories to the screen via my scripted and unscripted projects that span from competition formats to talking head and to whatever other dopeness the SFB/BMP squad and I drum up!”

Julie Pizzi, president of Bunim/Murray Productions, said in a statement that Seales is a ‘brilliant comedienne, talented writer, an entrepreneurial producer and a thought provocateur’ who inspired the company to create its residency program..

An Ohio judge acquitted the brother of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles of voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault related to a 2018 shooting in Cleveland.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Joan Synenberg granted Tevin Biles-Thomas a judgment of acquittal for lack of evidence. Biles-Thomas was initially charged with voluntary manslaughter and felonious assault charges stemming from a New Year’s Eve shooting in Cleveland.

CNN reported on the night of the shooting, a group of uninvited guests entered a home and a fight broke out which led to a shooting where multiple people were hit. Three people involved in the incident were shot, two died at the scene and a third at the hospital.

Cleveland police identified Biles-Thomas as the shooter. He was arrested for the shooting in 2019 and pleaded not guilty. Joe Patituce, Biles-Thomas lawyer, told CNN that his client maintained his innocence throughout the situation.

“This was a horrible tragedy, three families lost three family members and you know, absolutely horrific. So, we understand emotions were running high,” Patituce said. “But today, Tevin Biles was vindicated – what he’s waited to get for the last two and half years.”

People Magazine reported that when Synenberg granted Biles-Thomas the acquittal, the mother of one of the victims leapt from her seat yelling ‘You killed my baby’ as she approached Biles-Thomas. The woman was stopped by three officers before she reached Biles-Thomas.

Simone Biles, a four-time gold medalist, is fresh off her seventh U.S. gymnastics championship and is gearing up for the summer Olympics next month in Tokyo, Japan. It’s unclear if the United States has cleared athletes to travel to Japan for the Olympics.

However, the government has warned citizens about traveling to Japan in advance of the Olympics.

“Travelers should avoid all travel to Japan,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement according to ESPN. “Because of the current situation in Japan even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants and should avoid all travel to Japan.”

• Technology

by Derek Major

June 16, 2021

U.S. House Set To Vote On Antitrust Bills Focusing On Big Tech Next Week

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Reuters – The U.S. House Judiciary Committee will vote next week on a package of recently introduced antitrust bills including several targeting the market power of Big Tech, committee chair Jerry Nadler said on Wednesday.

Five antitrust bills were introduced last week in the House of Representatives. They will be marked up in committee to consider changes and then voted on by the panel to decide whether the full House should vote on the measures.

Two of the bills introduced last week address the issue of giant companies, such as Amazon.com Inc and Alphabet Inc’s Google, creating a platform for other businesses and then competing against those same businesses.

These bills — one of which would force companies to sell businesses — have attracted the most opposition. Some pro-tech groups have said they could mean the end of popular promotions like Amazon Prime free shipping and iMessage in iPhones.

Representative David Cicilline, chair of the antitrust subcommittee, talked about a crisis given the power of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google. “These modern day robber barons are growing their power from anti-competitive means,” he said at a press conference flanked by Republican and Democratic colleagues.

A top antitrust Republican, Representative Ken Buck, said he had been skeptical of the need for additional antitrust enforcement but had changed his mind. “I think you’re going to see more Republican support as folks understand the issue more,” he said.

In addition to the two bills aimed at conflict of interest in platforms’ businesses, a third bill would require a platform to refrain from any merger unless it can show the acquired company does not compete with any product or service the platform is in. A fourth would require platforms to allow users to transfer their data elsewhere, including to a competing business.

The House members also introduced a fifth bill, a companion to a measure that has already passed the Senate and would increase the budgets of antitrust enforcers and make companies planning the biggest mergers pay more. Observers have said that this bill was the most likely of the five to become law.

(Reporting by Diane Bartz, Editing by Franklin Paul and David Gregorio)

• Education

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

June 16, 2021

Mississippi School System Accused of Cheating Black Students Out of Valedictorian Honors

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After two Black high school seniors in Mississippi were recently forced to share their valedictorian and salutatorian honors with two white students, it brought back sensitive memories of a 2016 graduate who went through the same thing.

Jasmine Shepard was a graduating senior at Cleveland High School in Mississippi in 2016. At the time, Shepard was set to be honored as the class valedictorian. But she was blindsided when she learned that certain standard operating procedures were violated so that a white student could share the valedictorian honors with her, EURWeb reports.

While speaking with the outlet, Shepard’s mother, Dr. Sherry Shepard explained how the white student, identified as “H.B.” was “allowed to receive credit for courses that were not in the approved courses manual in the Mississippi Department of Education.”

The mother and daughter were prompted to speak out after learning about recent graduating senior Layla Temple and Ikeria Washington. The two Black students went viral after word got out about how they were forced to share the valedictorian and salutatorian honors with two white students at West Point Consolidated School District.

While Washington and Temple had the two highest QPAs among the graduating class, the school decided to also honor two white students who had the highest GPAs. As a result, four students were recognized by the school as valedictorian and salutatorian, and the school was blasted on social media.

“A Mississippi HS had two black female students as their valedictorian and salutatorian,” a now-viral tweet read. “Then suddenly, hours before the graduation, they announced two additional students were ALSO the valedictorian and salutatorian for a total of four. The school has deleted their social media.”

A Mississippi HS had two black female students as their valedictorian and salutatorian.

Then suddenly, hours before the graduation, they announced two additional students were ALSO the valedictorian and salutatorian for a total of four. The school has deleted their social media pic.twitter.com/CkAKQ5nKjL

— chris evans (@chris_notcapn) June 1, 2021

The school responded to the backlash by accepting “full responsibility for this misunderstanding” and apologizing for “any confusion and problems this has caused,” WCBI News reports.

We’ve come a long way as a country, but situations like this remind us of how far we still have to go.

Tessica Brown might have made the biggest mistake of her life when her hair got stuck and wouldn’t move after she sprayed the extremely strong adhesive, Gorilla Glue, on her head and couldn’t wash it out.

She obviously learned to flip that bad mistake into a business and launched the Forever Hair line of hair care products.

The latest adventure for the viral sensation has her hocking Sleek edge control that will safely help customers lay their edges down with ease. According to the website, the product is made with black castor and aloe vera and will be released soon. Another product called growth oil, promises to stimulate hair growth. Another produce, Forever Hold is also offered for sale. Additionally, sweats with ‘Bonded For Life’ lettered on them, t-shirts and hoodies are all for sale.

Brown seemingly learned her lesson but the gorilla glue debacle was no laughing matter when it initially happened. Brown– who is a mother — did not always receive empathy online.

Brown’s initial Tik Tok video revealed her dilemma with the world earlier this year, after she slicked her hair down with Gorilla Glue. Dr. Michael Obeng was gracious enough to free Brown’s locks without charging her for his expertise, according to ESSENCE.

“Based on my chemistry background, I created a solvent made of medical-grade adhesive remover and acetone to break through the month’s long shell,” Obeng said in the  ESSENCE interview.

This time around, Brown turned to Tik Tok on a happier note. She introduce her all natural hair growth oil, while explaining how she succeeded in bringing her locks back to life.

@im_d_ollady

Link in my bio and get you some drops it is working miracles on my hair I promise you won’t be disappointed

♬ original sound – Tessica Brown

And in this clip, Brown happily fluffs up her nicely growing locks with her fingers.

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View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tessica (@im_d_ollady)

TMZ reported that  Brown launched her business venture on Wednesday, under the “Forever Hair,” brand. According to the story, all of the entrepreneurs products were developed with the assistance of hair care professionals. It was noted that they can be removed safely by washing the a person’s hair. However, TMZ also said that Brown wanted to develop products for people who suffered hair loss. Brown was both encouraged and ridiculed for her Gorilla Glue faux paus. It looks like adversity made her think outside of the box, then try to make something positive out of what started out as a very bad hair day.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Derek Major

June 16, 2021

Ohio State University To Host ‘Classic for Columbus’ HBCU Football Game Between Central State, Kentucky State

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HBCU rivals Central State University and Kentucky State University will begin their 2021 football seasons on August 28 in the first “Classic for Columbus” on the Ohio State University campus.

The game will be played as a non-conference game at Ohio Stadium, home of the Buckeyes. The rivalry between the two teams dates back to 1947 with CSU leading the series 36-23-1. Additionally, there will be more than 20 associated events and activities held throughout the week beginning Wednesday August 25.

Both schools had their 2020 seasons interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and Central State ended up cancelling all athletic competitions for the 2020 fall and spring seasons. CSU Athletics Tara A. Owens told HBCU Gameday the school is excited for the game.

“We have been anxiously waiting for the day when we can safely return to competition,” Owens said. “With a new staff led by head coach Bobby Rome and a roster full of re-energized and motivated student-athletes, we can’t wait to represent and showcase Central State University at the Classic for Columbus.

Rome, who was hired in February 2020 has yet to make his coaching debut but is chomping at the bit to get the season and his program started.

“It is an exciting time for Central State football. We have spent the time away from the field recruiting and developing talented and versatile players who possess championship mentalities and unmatched passion for the game of football,” Rome told Gameday. “The Classic for Columbus is a great opportunity for us to return to action in a world-class venue. Central State is a program and a university that’s on the rise and we look forward to kicking off our season on August 28th in Ohio Stadium.”

Other classic HBCU football games include the Southern Heritage Classic (Jackson State University vs. Tennessee State University), the Bayou Classic (Grambling State University vs. Southern University), the Magic City Classic (Alabama A&M University vs. Alabama State University) and the Florida Classic (Bethune-Cookman University vs. Florida A&M University). The inaugural HBCU Combine for NFL Draft eligible HBCU football student-athletes will take place in early 2022.