In the same way that you can add a ‘Blackcent’ to your style of speech, it can also be done when communicating in sign language. Now, a 22-year-old TikTok user is being credited for making the Black version of American Sign Language more widespread.

Nakia Smith became a popular influencer on the social networking app through her daily videos that included sign language lessons and educating people on some of the issues deaf people face, Dallas Observer reports. Her popularity even resulted in a deal with Netflix’s Strong Black Lead where she appeared in a video teaching people “How To Sign In BASL (Black American Sign Language).”

“The biggest difference between BASL and ASL is that BASL got seasoning,” Smith joked in her Netflix feature. She went on to share the history of BASL that started after Black people were prevented from attending the first American school for the deaf until 1952.

“TikTok is a huge platform, so I knew everyone was going to see it. I felt it needed to be out there. Everyone loves to learn something new,” Smith told Blavity last year.

Smith comes from a four-generation family of deaf people and has shared the warm response she’s received from TikTok users interested in learning more about the deaf community.

“I felt like a lot of people didn’t know about BASL until my video went viral. They were really curious and wanted to learn more about BASL and history. I told my grandfather that the video went viral and he said, ‘Keep it going,'” she said. “I knew I couldn’t answer everyone’s questions. From there, I knew that I’d have to continue teaching people what they need to know. People do need to know that Black ASL is not slang — it’s a language itself.”

Now a new center at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. will educate the masses on BASL. Launched last August, the center serves as an outreach center for teaching and learning about the Black deaf experience, Blavity reports.

Led by professor Carolyn McCaskill, Ph.D., the Center for Black Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University aims to share the history and identities of Black deaf people in America.

“Once integration happened, there was no discussion with us about the language. There was no recognition,” McCaskill said. “I was very excited that the Center was established. This has been a lifelong dream of mine.”

With the help of Smith’s popular TikTok videos and a growing interest in BASL, centers like the one at Gallaudet University will serve as a viable resource to providing context to an aspect of the Black diaspora that has long been ignored.

Small businesses and self-employed people can also get more information here. 

• Health and Wellness

by Andrea Blackstone

May 14, 2021

‘Baby-Catcher’ Opens Louisiana’s First Black-Owned Birth Center

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Louisiana’s first Black-owned, free-standing birth center will be coming soon, according to a May 5 Facebook post shared by a woman who is identified on the page as a certified professional and licensed midwife named Shatamia Webb. The Baby Catcher Birth Center is Webb’s business and vision. Typed letters sprawled across the bottom of a photo where Webb was standing on the porch stated that it would be coming soon. Additionally, Webb referenced her midwifery sisters and said that her story as a midwife will continue.

“Little ole me did a pretty big thing… I now OWN the 1st Black-Owned Freestanding Birth Center in the State!! I couldn’t think of a better day to announce this (International Day of the Midwife),” Webb said on The Baby Catcher Birth Center’s Facebook page. “I’m excited, humble, and sooo very nervous as I bring this to the community.”There

KATC News reported that the new business opening in Lafayette will officially open at the end of July. In the interview, the Lafayette native said that one of her biggest fears when giving birth was going to a hospital, but not coming out. In response, Webb opted to have both of her children at home. For four years, she has been doing home births as a midwife.

“The center has two suites for two families, and is located near Lafayette General just in case there are any complications, Webb says, something African American women are three times more likely to see during childbirth, the CDC report,” according to KATC News.

Fox 15 stated that Webb wanted to offer more personable care to mothers.

“I wanted to provide another option for women that didn’t want to go into the hospital and that wanted something different,” Webb said in the interview. “I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything different. I know women need this.”

Black midwifery can be traced back to West Africa, where it is a part of the culture and has spiritual undertones relating to nature and the earth, according to Medium.

Grown-ish star Yara Shahidi is set to celebrate her Black and Iranian heritage through a new sportswear collection with Adidas.

The multifaceted star has shown she’s more than just a pretty face through her executive producer and starring role on the Black-ish spin-off as well as her activism for women’s rights and social justice issues. The Harvard University student found a way to represent her ethnic pride in the five-piece collection she designed for Adidas.

“My first instinct was how do we honor the past in a way that also pays homage to the future,” Shahidi told Harper’s Bazaar. “The one thing that I wanted people to take away was even though a lot of these details are specific to my own growing up and the things that impacted me, the entire campaign is about how we re-create our heritage. I’m constantly figuring out what it means to me to be Black and Iranian—it’s ever changing.”

The line includes two jackets and matching track pants, along with a pair of Superstar sneakers. Farsi script is embroidered into a few of the pieces that display bold yellows, greens, and Adidas’ signature three stripes.

“Whether it be the old-school varsity track jacket that has some Farsi on it or even my Superstar sneaker, which has the writing that goes right to left, even though it’s in English, which is the way [a lot] of the world reads,” she said of her design process. “I had a lot of fun putting it together, because it represents where I’m at and the process that I think we all go through in figuring out how we mix two things that are of extreme importance to us.”

She drew inspiration from her mood board that included some iconic figures in music like Bob Marley and Prince, who she had the pleasure of growing up around due to her father’s work as a photographer.

“There’s also pictures of musicians, I love moments in history and iconic imagery from around the world. Prince, of course [was on a board],” she shared. “I think being lucky enough to grow up in his presence, even peripherally with my father as his photographer for some years, I always grew up just aware of his impact.”

Shahidi took to Instagram to announce the collab telling her fans “Y’all knew this was coming.”

 

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A post shared by Yara (يارا‎) Shahidi (@yarashahidi)

Shahidi’s Adidas Originals’ collaborative collection is set to release on May 13 at select North American retailers, AfroTech reports.

It may be the off-season for professional football but Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Russell Wilson hasn’t stopped working since the season ended!

According to Variety, the football player and his wife, Ciara, have signed a first-look television and film deal with Amazon Studios. The married couple intends on developing and producing scripted series and original films with Amazon Studios through their production company, Why Not You Productions.

The talented football player and entrepreneur announced the news from his Twitter account.

WHY NOT YOU PRODUCTIONS!!! LET’S GO!!! SUCH A BLESSING!@WhyNotYouProd@AmazonStudios@Ciara https://t.co/465yaf4KDD

— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 11, 2021

“We’re so excited and honored to work with Amazon Studios,” said the Wilsons. “They’ve quickly become one of the most exciting studios in entertainment and have shown a strong belief in our vision to bring inspiring stories to the world. We can’t wait to begin our work together.”

Ciara also took to social media as well.

Truly honored and proud to share that @DangeRussWilson and I are partnering with @amazonstudios through our @whynotyouprod company to create stories that can inspire the world! So excited for what’s in store! https://t.co/q7j7cutiyD

— Ciara (@ciara) May 12, 2021

“Russell and Ciara are a true powerhouse producing duo—both with extraordinary success in their respective careers on the field and the stage, their business ventures, and shared dedication to philanthropy,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “We share a passion for developing diverse and emotionally connecting stories that can inspire the world and spread positivity and hope. Our world certainly needs it.”

Earlier this month, the Wilsons donated over $35K to get each student from the West Seattle public school started off with a savings account containing $40 in seed money, Q13 Fox reports. The charitable move was in partnership with the Wilson’s Why Not You Foundation, a Financial Literacy Month partnership with the NFL Players Association, and the financial tech company Goalsetter.

• Education

by Derek Major

May 13, 2021

Texas GOP Pass Legislation Banning Teachers From Discussing Racism

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Texas Republicans passed a bill Tuesday prohibiting teachers in the state’s public schools from speaking on current events, white supremacy, and racism.

The bill, which passed the Texas House by a vote of 79-65, according to the Huffington Post, prohibits social studies and civics teachers from teaching that one race is superior to another race or gender. Educators are also prohibited from teaching that a person bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by members of the same race or sex.

The bill has already passed the Senate meaning it will end up on Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk soon. He is expected to sign it. Rep. James Talarico (D) told Yahoo News the bill is crafted in a very specific way.

“You can talk about race in the classroom, but you can’t talk about privilege or white supremacy. It doesn’t outright ban talking about race, but the idea is to put in landmines so any conversation about race in the classroom would be impossible.”

RELATED CONTENT: Georgia Republican Vernon Jones Wants To Ban Critical Race Theory But He May Not Know What It Is

Talarico added the bill has nothing to do with educating children, instead, it’s a way for Gov. Greg Abbott to win the approval of Texas Republicans as he mulls a 2024 presidential run.

The legislation also states teachers do not have to take cultural proficiency and equity training if it makes them uncomfortable or if teachers feel “discomfort, guilt, anguish, or any other form of psychological distress,” because of their race or gender.

The bill appears to be a part of a larger Republican push to hide, whitewash, or flat-out stop teaching about racism and the plight Black Americans have faced in the U.S. before, during, and after slavery. Many Republican states are banning critical race theory (CRT).

Civil rights groups are calling for Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to be removed from the Tulsa Race Massacre Commission after he signed a bill banning CRT. Even talking about it has been hard for Republicans. Black Republican Vernon Jones, who’s running for Georgia governor, either couldn’t or refused to explain CRT in a virtual interview, earlier this month.

• News

by Christian Spencer

May 13, 2021

White Man Gets Slap on The Wrist For Saying N-Word to a Black Person, Court Cites First Amendment Rights

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A retired serviceman had a hate speech conviction overturned because of his First Amendment rights—even though offensive language could instigate a fight and should not be protected. 

Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Jules Bartow will not have to face significant consequences for using the N-word despite it being illegal in his state, according to the Associated Press.

In Virginia, it is illegal to use abusive language, but apparently, this does not matter when the situation does not involve violence.

Bartow was arrested in November 2018 for, what the prosecutors and witnesses described as, “bizarre rhetorical questions,” which involved him using the N-word when greeted by a Black worker at a Quantico Marine Corps Exchange, according to the AP.

He was looking for boots and was asking a fellow customer, “If I called her a [n-word], would she still say good morning?”

Related stories: DEBATE ENSUES AT NEW JERSEY LAW SCHOOL AFTER WHITE STUDENT QUOTES N-WORD

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals determined that Bartow’s right to use the racial slur as he chooses was more justified than upholding the state’s hate speech laws. 

So long as immediate acts of violence by the person to whom it was addressed did not occur, Bartow was free to say whatever he wants.

“The ugly racial epithet used by Bartow undoubtedly constituted extremely ‘abusive language.’ But because the Government failed to prove (or even to offer evidence) that Bartow’s use of this highly offensive slur tended to cause immediate acts of violence by anyone, his conviction cannot stand,” Judge Diana Gribbon Motz wrote in the unanimous ruling.

The only punishment Bartow faced was being fined $500 for the incident.

As The Root reported, the problematic nature of facing minimal to no consequences for using hate speech has a number of ways of accelerating into bigger issues.

Bartow’s personal Facebook, or his alias, “Gringo Julio,” suggests that he is a supporter of former President Donald Trump and somewhat of a troll.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 13, 2021

Iyanla Vanzant Aims to Fix Policing in America By Healing Police Officers, OK Beloved

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The spiritual healer known for fixing people’s lives wants to use her skills to help improve the strain between police and the Black community.

Iyanla Vanzant opened up about working with police departments to help end the “trauma” caused by fatal police encounters. While speaking with The Grio, the “Iyanla Fix My Life” star described the policing issue as “sudden, unexpected events or experiences that have a disparate or serious impact on mental, emotional and sometimes physical health.”

“We need to recognize that we’re in an ancestral pattern,” she said. “This person was hung, and before you could mourn that, that person was hung. This person was whipped.”

The Peace From Broken Pieces author explained how society needs to move away from “political intervention” with policing issues and move toward mental health awareness and healing from the traumatic experiences, AOL reports. Her hopes include working with police departments and implementing some of the healing practices she’s preached in her books and on her hit OWN reality show.

“Before you can see me as whatever my human expression is, Black, Latin[x], whatever, brown and be sensitive to that, you got to see me as a human being … you can’t see me as a human if you don’t feel like a human,” Vanzant said.

She touched on the “support and mental health intervention” police officers are in need of.

“I think that we are forgetting that police officers are human,” she said. “They came from dysfunctional families. Some of them didn’t have daddies. Some of them had mothers who were drunks. Some of them grew up in foster care.”

She continued. “How many of them have been abandoned, abused, sexually violated? And now you’ve got a badge and a gun,” Vanzant said. “So before we can even deal with racial sensitivities, these people need to be trained as human beings.”

Her message comes as the country demands improved training for police officers following the latest series of fatal police shootings including the killing of 20-year-old Daunte Wright and 15-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant.

• Health and Wellness

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 13, 2021

Mickey D’s Partners With Biden Administration to Spread Information on COVID Vaccinations

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Trying to do their part to make information regarding the coronavirus vaccine more accessible to the public, fast-food giant McDonald’s has partnered with the Biden administration to make getting information even easier for the millions of customers who enjoy McDonald’s.

“We all want to protect ourselves and our loved ones and be together with our communities again. McDonald’s is excited to be doing our part for the people we serve, providing them with simple information that can help keep them safe,” Genna Gent, McDonald’s USA vice president for Global Public Policy and Government Relations, said in a written statement. “This is a team effort—it takes all of us. We’re proud to enter this partnership to provide trusted, independently verified information about COVID-19 vaccines to our customers in the nearly 14,000 communities we serve.”

RELATED CONTENT: Desiree Ralls-Morrison To Join McDonald’s as General Counsel And Corporate Secretary

The collaborative initiative will start later this month when a McDonald’s billboard with COVID-19 vaccine information will appear in Times Square in the center of New York City. Then, in July, McDonald’s will have informative seals on its hot McCafé® cups and McDelivery® stickers that will lead customers to vaccines.gov. On this website, they can learn more about how they can protect themselves and the people they love from COVID-19, as well as where to find vaccine appointments near them. There will also be new packaging and ads that will feature art from the national “We Can Do This” campaign, setting the campaign’s slogan against a map of the United States.

“Getting vaccinated is easy. More than 150 million people have already gotten at least one dose of vaccine, and millions more are getting vaccinated every day,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “Thanks to McDonald’s, people will now be able to get trusted information about vaccines when they grab a cup of coffee or order a meal. Ending this pandemic requires all of us working together to do our part, including encouraging our friends and family to get vaccinated. This effort will help more people make informed decisions about their health and learn about steps they can take to protect themselves and their communities.”