• Health and Wellness

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 28, 2021

Black Women’s Health Imperative Receives $400k Grant for Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign

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The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) has received a $400,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to rollout their COVID-19 campaign to improve vaccination rates within the Black community.

As part of The Rockefeller Foundation’s $20 million Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, the grant will aid BWHI’s current mission to increase access to Covid-19 vaccinations in communities of color, Post News Group reports. Findings from the campaign will be used to assist cities across the country with their rollout of the vaccine among people of color.

Funding for BWHI’s initiative works as part of the national north star’s goal of getting at least 70 million people of color fully vaccinated by July 2021.

“Throughout the pandemic, the disparities in health, economic, and social outcomes have been stark for Black women and their families,” said Linda Goler Blount, President and CEO of the Black Women’s Health Imperative. “This grant will help us equip Black women with science-based information so that they’re empowered to educate their families, friends, and communities about the Covid-19 vaccines.”

Through strategic partnerships with the National Caucus & Center on Black Aging (NCBA) and National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW), BWHI is set to launch a vaccine rollout and equity initiatives in cities across the country including Baltimore, MD, Chicago, IL, Houston, TX, Newark, NJ, and Oakland, CA.

“We’re committed to meeting people where they are in order to remove barriers to vaccination, reduce hesitancy, and empower people to live, work, and assemble without fear,” said Virginia W. Harris, NCBW National President.

Players within the WNBA will support the initiative by using their platforms to spread vaccine awareness and advocating for equitable access.

“We’re excited to partner with Black Women’s Health Imperative to address vaccine equity in our communities,” said Karyne Jones, President and CEO of NCBA. “African American adults 60 and over have been hardest hit by Covid-19. We want to make sure they understand that vaccines are safe and effective – and will enable them to get back to enjoying life with their families.”

• News

by Christian Spencer

May 28, 2021

Suspects Who Allegedly Killed Black Military Couple Might Have Robbed Them Days Prior

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Investigators are still looking into the matter.

“We’re very interested in knowing the exact nature of the dispute, so we’re working really hard to figure out what that is. But as of now the motive is a dispute, we’re working hard to figure out what it was all about, but it harkens back to Monday.”

• Technology

by Black Enterprise Shop

May 28, 2021

Learn How to Build Apps From Scratch For Only $20

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“There’s an app for that,” is a statement that can be applied to almost everything. There is a deluge of apps on the market, each one catering to a specific function, but that shouldn’t hinder you from breathing life into your brilliant idea.

There is always going to be a space for your app, and with the Complete Mobile & App Development Bundle, you’ll be able to create, develop, and deploy apps from scratch.

For the week of Memorial Day only, it’s on sale for just $20. The total value of the complete bundle us over $1,700.

With 70 hours of content spread across nine courses, all of which are put together by Oak Academy, this bundle will familiarize you with the top programming languages needed for building apps.

You’ll explore iOS 14 and Swift 5 and learn the process of creating/publishing apps for iOS and deep dive into an Android development course.

RELATED CONTENT: These Apps and Toys That Will Keep Your Kids Busy While You Work From Home Are On Sale

The bundle also touches on other languages including Java, to help you get to grips with all the concepts involved in object-oriented programming.

Before you publish apps, you will have to test them first. React Native provides testing for your app, allowing you to improve the user experience.

There’s also material centered on Flutter and Dart, which demonstrates how to write simple scripts or full-featured apps for both iOS and Android.

With jargon-friendly courses, this course package will make developing apps a lot less complicated and a little more fun.

A value of $1,791, the usual sale price of the bundle is typically $44.99, but this Memorial Day, you can get it at its lowest price yet—just $20.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 28, 2021

Study Proves Grocery Taxes Increase Likelihood of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Communities

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New research out of Cornell University is proving how even the slightest mandated sales tax on grocery food items is likely causing food insecurity within low-income neighborhoods.

Harry Kaiser co-authored the study dubbed, “Putting grocery food taxes on the table: Evidence for food security policy-makers.” Researchers found that one-third of all U.S. counties do not exempt grocery foods from the general sales tax, which can become a major problem for the lowest income families, Cornell Chronicle reports.

Kaiser and his team of researchers discovered that, across 14 states, the average grocery tax is just over 4%, via Eurek Alert. Currently, a total of 17 states impose a tax on grocery food items with several states considering their options on whether to remove or impose the taxes.

“An increase of 1% to 4% may sound small, but after several trips to the grocery store, the extra costs can create serious burdens for the lowest-income families,” Kaiser said. “We found that even the slightest increase in tax rate correlated to an increased likelihood of food insecurity. Grocery taxes that rose by just one percentage point led to a higher risk of hunger in households.”

The study focused on sales taxes on foods sold at retail outlets like grocery and convenience stores and left out dining at restaurants. With a threshold that was based on the federal poverty level, Kaiser and his co-authors looked at data taken from low-income households in the 48 contiguous states plus Washington D.C. and excluded households with annual income above $30,000.

In Alabama, for example, the grocery sales tax can go as high as 9%, leading to an average annual expense of $630 in grocery taxes. For households with an income below $30,000, the annual sales tax on groceries could take out a sizeable portion of their household income. If states removed the mandated sales tax on grocery food, Kaiser’s team predicts that the average food insecurity for households near the poverty level will decrease by 3.2%.

“We hope that by sharing our current data and findings on grocery taxes as it relates to food insecurity,” Kaiser said, “policymakers will take a much closer look at the tax burden in certain areas which are hit hardest.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 28, 2021

1619 Project Creator Nikole Hannah-Jones Considers Suing UNC for Tenure Snub

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Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones is preparing to lawyer up after having her tenure snubbed by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Faculty members at UNC have been outraged after the school’s Board of Trustees decided to rescind Jones’ tenure offer possibly due to her ties to “The 1619 Project.” Hannah-Jones is a professor at the school and also holds a master’s degree. Earlier this month she was appointed as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism at UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Fox News reports.

On Thursday, Hannah-Jones announced her plans to take legal action against UNC due to the “anti-democratic suppression” she believes is being forced onto her. Attorneys for Hannah-Jones noted that despite the NY Times writer’s recommendation by the journalism department and senior university officials, she was denied the same tenure previous UNC Knight Chairs have been given.

“I had no desire to bring turmoil or a political firestorm to the university that I love,” Hannah-Jones said, “but I am obligated to fight back against a wave of anti-democratic suppression that seeks to prohibit the free exchange of ideas, silence Black voices and chill free speech.”

Hannah-Jones was given a five-year, fixed-term contract after joining UNC but the deal didn’t include tenure despite the school’s history of granting tenure to Knight Chairs. Her legal team includes attorneys from Levy Ratner PC and Furgeson, Chambers & Sumter P.A., and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

“We are evaluating all available legal recourse to fully vindicate Ms. Hannah-Jones’ rights, including possibly initiating a federal action against UNC, the Board and/or affiliated entities and individuals,” her legal team said in a statement to state lawmakers Thursday, via The News and Observer.

In their letter, they announced they were representing Hannah-Jones “in connection with the failure of the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) to consider and approve her application for tenure.”

“The 1619 Project” creator explained how she sought out legal counsel to “ensure the academic and journalistic freedom of Black writers is protected to the full extent of the law and to seek redress for the University of North Carolina’s adverse actions against me,” she told the News & Observer.

“As a Black woman who has built a nearly two-decades long career in journalism, I believe Americans who research, study, and publish works that expose uncomfortable truths about the past and present manifestations of racism in our society should be able to follow these pursuits without risk to their civil and constitutional rights,” Hannah-Jones said.

Venus Williams continues her entrepreneurial journey as she collaborates again with K-Swiss on a new activewear line.

According to Footwear News, Williams and K-Swiss have reconnected for their second co-branded capsule, The Glow Up collection. The clothing line includes matching sets, leggings, shorts, jackets, and hoodies.

.@KSwiss and @VenusesWilliams are back for the must-have collection of the summer. The heritage brand and the tennis pro launched their second co-branded @elevenbyvenus capsule today just in time for the onset of warm weather excursions. https://t.co/5ZXwNUTS9P

— Footwear News (@FootwearNews) May 21, 2021

“EleVen by Venus is excited to be collaborating with K-Swiss again on a new, unique capsule collection,” said Williams. “K-Swiss has been an iconic brand for decades, so I loved creating looks that combine their timeless style with EleVen’s vibrant and sleek designs. With the ‘Glow Up’ collection, we created dynamic outfits that represent confidence, individuality, and versatility so our customers can feel their absolute best, both on and off the court.”

A pioneer on and off the court, Venus Williams has broken through again and again. In FN’s new cover story, the tennis legend opens about what keeps her motivated, how she’s fighting for equal pay and her new partnership with @KSWISS. Read it here. https://t.co/RTqqF6tYLH pic.twitter.com/nDApophmMF

— Footwear News (@FootwearNews) May 17, 2021

Williams also told Footwear News the reason she decided to partner with them as opposed to other fashion companies.

“When I think of K-Swiss — from when I was younger until now — I think of classics. It works with everything. It’s based on the California lifestyle, and I’m from California. They’re open to creativity and new ideas. The design is incredible. With all those different aspects, it’s a perfect fit. I love being able to dive in to the archives. You look at 30 shoes together and your head spins. Their archive is just sick. I love the juxtaposition between the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s shoes. My personal favorite is the ’90s silhouette.”

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 28, 2021

Patrisse Khan-Cullors Steps Down From Leadership Role At Black Lives Matter

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Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Khan-Cullors is stepping down from her executive director role within the movement’s organization amid criticism over how funds are being spent and allocated.

Cullors says her resignation has been something she’s been working on for the last year and has nothing to do with the recent attacks from a far-right smear campaign and criticism from other Black activists, Politico reports.

She was recently accused of enjoying a “real estate buying binge” over the course of the pandemic following a recent home purchase in a predominantly white neighborhood. However, the self-described Marxist shut down the claims saying her money didn’t come from the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, but from her own side endeavors.

“Those were right-wing attacks that tried to discredit my character, and I don’t operate off of what the right thinks about me,” Cullors said.

Now it looks like Cullors wants to focus on her deals full-time and let someone else spearhead the organization she co-founded as a result of the police brutality and social injustice plaguing the Black community. Cullors has served as a face for the organization for the last six years, but will step down on Friday to transition into her other projects that include her second book and a multi-year TV development deal with Warner Bros.

“I’ve created the infrastructure and the support, and the necessary bones and foundation, so that I can leave,” Cullors told The Associated Press. “It feels like the time is right.”

Following her resignation, two new interim senior executives are set to fill in, NBC News reports. Monifa Bandele, a longtime BLM organizer and founder of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in New York City, and Makani Themba, a BLM supporter and chief strategist at Higher Ground Change Strategies in Jackson, Mississippi.

“I think both of them come with not only a wealth of movement experience, but also a wealth of executive experience,” Cullors said of her predecessors.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 28, 2021

Three Officers Charged in Manuel Ellis Death After He Said ‘I Can’t Breathe’

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One year after Manuel Ellis died during a police encounter, three officers have been charged in connection with his murder.

The Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson charged two Tacoma police officers with murder and one with manslaughter in the death of Ellis, NPR reports. The 33-year-old had told the officers that he couldn’t breathe as he was being restrained on March 3, 2020.

Witness reports filed in Pierce County Superior Court say officers Christopher Burbank and Matthew Collins, who are both white, charged at Ellis without provocation as officer Timothy Rankine, who is Asian, applied pressure on Ellis’ back. His last words “I can’t breathe, sir!” were heard on a nearby security camera.

“Ellis was not fighting back,” the probable cause statement said. “All three civilian witnesses at the intersection … state that they never saw Ellis strike at the officers.”

On Thursday, Ferguson charged Burbank and Collins with second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter against Rankine. All three officers were placed in custody by Thursday evening and were scheduled to be arraigned Friday morning, ABC News reports. The move is groundbreaking for the state as it’s the first time the Attorney General’s office has criminally charged police officers with unlawful use of deadly force.

The Tacoma Police Union defended the three officers claiming “facts were ignored in favor of what appears to be a politically motivated witch hunt.”

“We look forward to trial,” the union said in a statement Thursday. “An unbiased jury will find that the officers broke no laws and, in fact, acted in accordance with the law, their training, and Tacoma Police Department policies. An unbiased jury will not allow these fine public servants to be sacrificed at the altar of public sentiment.”

If found guilty, all three officers could face up to life in prison with the standard sentence ranging from 10 to 18 years for second-degree murder with no prior criminal history and 6.5 to 8.5 years for manslaughter with no prior criminal history, NY Times reports.

Interim Tacoma Police Chief Mike Ake announced an internal investigation into the case to determine what disciplinary actions, training, and policy changes need to be made.

“Conversations and actions regarding police reform are as important as ever,” Ake said. “We realize we must reduce outcomes that cause pain and diminish trust within our community.”

Naomi Osaka is playing the game of tennis. Sis isn’t playing when it comes to her mental health.

The 4x Grand Slam title holder is gearing up to compete in the French Open and is already setting her boundaries when it comes to press interviews. On Wednesday, the tennis champion took to Twitter to announce that she won’t be speaking with any media during the Roland-Garros tournament to preserve her mental health, Huff Post reports.

“I’ve often felt that people have no regard for athletes mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one,” she said in a statement shared in a tweet. “I’m just not going to subject myself to people that doubt me. I’ve watched many clips of athletes breaking down after a loss in the press room and I know you have as well. I believe that whole situation is kicking a person while they’re down and I don’t understand the reasoning behind it.”

❤️ pic.twitter.com/EegFSKnoie

— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) May 26, 2021

Professional tennis players are fined thousands in the event they skip out on attending a mandated post-game press conference where they’re often asked about their loss or game slipups. But despite the expected loss to her multi-million dollar net worth, Osaka is solely focused on representing Japan at the French Open.

In her statement, Osaka expressed her hopes that the amount she is fined “ will go towards a mental health charity.”

“If the organizations think that they can keep saying, “do your press or you’re going to be fined”, and continue to ignore the mental health of the athletes that are the centerpiece of their cooperation then I just gotta laugh,” she wrote.

Back in 2016, Serena Williams was issued a $5,000 fine after she refused to interview about her early departure from the Australia Open, The Guardian reports. It looks like Osaka is following in Williams’s footsteps in more ways than one.

Singer and rapper Akon, whose real name is Aliaune Damala Badara Akon Thiam, got his SUV stolen in broad daylight while he was at the gas station.

On Monday 30 minutes before midnight, someone from Atlanta, Georgia, entered the producer’s vehicle and drove off while it was being pumped, according to Uproxxx reported.

Akon contacted the police and report his Range Rover as stolen from a Buckhead gas station.

The Range Rover also had valuable items such as $25,000 diamond necklace and a $6,500 Louis Vuitton bag.

Akon has no idea who could have done this, but a black sedan following his stolen SUV.

Related stories: AKON’S TECH UTOPIA

“Shortly after, you can see the suspect get out of the passenger seat of what looks to be a black, four-door BMW sedan, get into the driver’s seat of the victim’s vehicle, and drive off with the black BMW following right behind,” police said in the report, The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported.

Thankfully for the musician, Akon had his iPhone inside the car. Using the FindMyPhone app to track his phone and stolen car to Lawton Street in southwest Atlanta and again on Forest Park – the latter being the authorities recovered his SUV.

There are currently no suspects in the case.

These crimes have been dubbed slider crimes and they happen when a thief slides into your vehicle to steal the vehicle itself or steal something inside of it,” police spokesman Officer Steve Avery said in a public service announcement filmed last year. “Always lock your car and turn it off when you step outside.”

It is not just Akon either. Rapper and Fast and Furious star Ludcris must have been furious when someone pull a fast one and took his Mercedes-Benz when he was at the ATM.