Despite the high number of Black professional athletes in the major American leagues, there has historically been a dearth of executives of color in the front offices, at all levels. Combatting these disheartening statistics, Jaia Thomas and Shaina Wiel, founders of Diverse Representation and Minorities in Sports, respectively, launched the Diverse Sports Executives Pipeline—a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to train and equip professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds for executive roles across all professional sports teams, leagues, and organizations.

The NFL just had its first Black president of a team in league history appointed in 2020: Jason Wright of the Washington Football Team. Despite a majority of the players being Black, not surprisingly, over 85% of C-suite executives in the NFL are white. These numbers are similar in the other professional leagues, teams, and organizations as reported by The Institute for Diversity and Equity in Sports over the past several years. The Diverse Sports Executives’ Pipeline Program seeks to close this racial gap and ensure that the diversity on the field and on the court is properly reflected in the C-suite and executive offices.

Ten professionals will be selected to participate in the first cohort of the immersive three-month tuition-free program. Participants will not only be paired with a mentor (who is a current executive in the sports industry) but they will also participate in a series of workshops, case studies, and one-on-one career development. Members of the National Society of Black Sports Professionals, founded in 2006 with almost 10,000 members on LinkedIn, will assist in making the selection of the final 10 participants.

“Black players generate an enormous amount of revenue for the sports ecosystem. Yet, we are still missing from a lot of the leadership and decision-making roles,” said Jaia Thomas, Esq., president and CEO of Diverse Representation. Diverse Representation provides the first-ever comprehensive directory of Black agents, attorneys, managers, and publicists across the country and curates various programs, events, and diversity initiatives. She shared, “I see this program as critical to creating greater racial equity in the sports industry.”

“For far too long the conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion in relation to the sports industry hasn’t included individuals of color on the business side,” said Shaina Wiel, founder of Minorities in Sports. “Minorities in Sports is proud to collaborate with Diverse Representation on the Diverse Sports Executives Pipeline Program aimed at tackling just that. We look forward to using this program to get one step closer to a better and more diverse workforce especially at the executive level.” The Minorities in Sports Business Network (MiS) is a national networking organization of over 1,000 professionals of color within the sports business industry. MiS aims to create and foster an equitable workforce within teams, agencies, leagues, governing bodies, unions, and sports adjacent companies.

Applications for the program opened May 10, 2021 (and close on May 24, 2021). The program begins
on July 1, 2021. For more information, visit www.diverserepresentation.com or
www.minoritiesinsports.com.

• Career

by Andrea Blackstone

May 13, 2021

ITG Brands Selects Kim Reed As the Company’s Next President and CEO

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ITG Brands is getting a new president and CEO. According to an announcement, Kim Reed, has been named president and chief executive officer effective June 1. ITG Brands possesses a broad portfolio of some of the most well-known cigarette, cigar, and e-vapor brands, according to its website.

“ITG Brands, LLC is the third-largest tobacco company in the U.S., and offers a broad portfolio of some of the most well-known cigarette, cigar and e-vapor brands. This iconic portfolio of brands includes: Winston, Kool, Salem, Maverick and USA Gold cigarettes; Dutch Masters, Backwoods and Phillies cigars; and blu electronic cigarettes,” website information stated.

The company aims to increasingly transition smokers to our Next Generation Product (NGP) portfolio, which includes ones that are potentially less harmful than combustible cigarettes.

RELATED CONTENT: Women-Led CBD Brand Introduces Products Made for Women by Women

In her forthcoming role, Reed will be responsible for overseeing all U.S. employees and operations, according to the announcement. Reed is already a member of  ITG Brand’s executive team in her role over the past two years as executive vice president of Sales. In the announcement, Reed was credited with establishing ITG Brands as a market leader in sales of factory manufactured cigarettes and mass-market cigars, while leading a sales organization of more than 1,000 employees responsible for $3 billion in net revenue.

“I am honored to accept the role of Chief Executive Officer of ITG Brands,” Reed said in the announcement. “I want to thank Oliver ( Kutz ) for his leadership and his partnership in creating such a fantastic and talented team. I am excited to engage across all aspects of the business and build upon our existing momentum to further accelerate growth.”

Reed will succeed Kutz who will become Cluster General Manager Central Europe and Ukraine for Imperial Brands. Reed has previously worked in leadership capacities at Kellogg Co. and Pepsi Beverages Co.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 12, 2021

Black Actress Catches White Man Masturbating On United Flight, Says Captain Did Nothing

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Actress Shalita Grant took to Twitter to post a video of a white man seemingly pleasuring himself on a United Airlines flight.

In addition to being completely grossed out by the act, Grant was taken aback when the plane’s captain reportedly opted out of taking action against the culprit, Travel Noire reports.

“So just had a man masturbate next to me and @jagatt on an @united on flight 1060,” Grant said in a tweet. “The captain doesn’t want to report him, questioned whether it was even worth it based on if we spoke English or not AND I have video.”

The video showed an unidentified white male with his hand in his pants. He removed his hand when Grant pulled out her cellphone and started to film.

https://twitter.com/ShalitaGrant/status/1392517340894433280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1392517340894433280%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftravelnoire.com%2Factress-shalita-grant-catches-man-masturbating-on-united-airlines-flight

“Sir, you have to stop that,” she can be heard telling him. “That’s disgusting. You have to stop that. That stops!”

Grant sent out a series of tweets accounting for what happened after she called out the perpetrator and reported him to the flight attendants. The Tony-nominated actress claimed attendants told her that the captain asked if the incident was even worth reporting.

“Still flying attendants (all women) trying to get them to take matter seriously,” she said. I wonder what the
@UnltedAirlines policy is for masturbating on an international flight. Because so far it’s just “how the captain feels”. So your captains don’t take this kind of behavior seriously????”

She went on to accuse the pilot of being “complicit” and suspected if the culprit had gotten away with indecent exposure before.

“In the name of @AnikaNoniRose I will NOT let the male pilot be complicit in allowing a sex offender (who has CLEARLY done this b4 bc it took me yelling at him to stop) get away w this,” she added.

She shared an update confirming that she documented her conversation with the pilot.

“Recorded some of the confrontation with the pilot, will give more of those details later,” she tweeted. “Currently with an amazing @united employee who is escorting us to the local station here. Mario, he’s amazing, is taking extreme care with us and also has two daughters.”

Another tweet showed that the said “pervert” had been taken by authorities once they landed in Mexico City.

• News

by Derek Major

May 12, 2021

City Of Newark Begins Two-Year Guaranteed Income Pilot Program and It’s a Step in The Right Direction

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A two-year pilot program providing low-income Newark, New Jersey, residents with guaranteed income through cash payments kicked off Monday for the first 30 people.

Beginning this week, thirty Newark residents will begin receiving $6,000 per year in guaranteed payments. Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was more than happy to announce residents will begin receiving cash payments with no strings attached and no work requirements.

“Today I’m proud to announce that Newark has taken a historic step towards economic justice by launching The Newark Movement for Economic Equity, Newark’s guaranteed pilot program aimed at giving recurring cash payments to Newark residents,” Mayor Ras Baraka said Monday according to NBC New York.

Guaranteed income is a catching trend across the country. Pilot programs have been proposed and launched in Stockton, Oakland, and Compton, California, Newark, and Atlanta to help lift city residents out of poverty. Many of these programs are giving cash to low-income residents to supplement their incomes.

Newark’s program focuses on residents that are housing insecure and will soon expand to help 400 residents. The program is currently funded by private donors such as Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey who pledged to fund guaranteed income programs in 15 U.S. cities.

The payments will also vary as some residents will receive a small amount each month and others will receive two yearly payments of $3,000. The Newark Movement for Economic Equity will track what residents will spend the funds on.

According to data from Stockton’s program, participants were able to pay down debts, cover unexpected expenses, and their mental health improved. Additionally, the program debunked the GOP myth that people receiving free money will not work.

One of the main findings in the program was that people receiving the money were able to create new opportunities for themselves including goal-setting and finding employment.

Newark residents can begin applying for the program in July, which will be open to residents 18 and over whose income levels are at or below 200% of the federal poverty threshold.

Howard University alum and renowned actress Phylicia Rashad is spreading her wings in education as the newly appointed dean of the school’s reestablished College of Fine Arts.

The school announced Rashad’s new position at her alma mater on Wednesday following a nationwide search for the right candidate. The For Colored Girls actress is set to begin her new role as dean on July 1, 2021, and will report to Provost Anthony K. Wutoh.

“It is an honor to welcome one of Howard’s acclaimed daughters back home to Alma Mater,” Wutoh said in a statement. “In this full circle moment, Ms. Phylicia Rashad will take the training and skills that she honed as a student at Howard and exuded in an outstanding performing career, and she will share those pearls of wisdom with the next generation of students in the College of Fine Arts. Her passion for the arts and student success makes her a perfect fit for this role.”

Since obtaining a bachelor’s in fine arts from the notable HBCU, Rashad went on to become a household name playing iconic roles like Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, Gilda in For Colored Girls and Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun, IMDB reports. Her most recent work includes portrayals on NBC’s hit scripted drama series This Is Us, Fox TV series Empire, the Academy Award-winning animated feature, Soul, and the Netflix holiday musical Jingle Jangle, among many others.

While she’s still extremely busy securing work onscreen, Rashad is more than pleased to return as an alumnus offering guidance to the next generation of entertainers coming out of Howard.

“It is a privilege to serve in this capacity and to work with the Howard University administration, faculty and students in reestablishing the College of Fine Arts,” Rashad said.

In the past, she has returned to the school to serve as a guest lecturer and adjunct faculty member. The school’s president praised her new role within the HBCU.

“I can think of no individual better suited to take on this role than Ms. Phylicia Rashad,” said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA. “Given Ms. Rashad’s reputation as well as her capabilities and impressive list of accomplishments, she will undoubtedly empower the college to transcend even our incredibly high expectations. Under her leadership, Howard will continue to inspire and cultivate the artists and leaders who will shape our niche and national cultures for generations to come.”

The most recent inductees to this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame have been announced and some notables names stand out from the world of music.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame has unveiled the latest names that will be added to the list of esteemed artists who are enshrined in the Cleveland, Ohio, venue. The 2021 Inductees includes the most diverse list of Inductees in the history of the organization.

Two hip-hop heavyweights will have their names etched with the names of legends before them when the next class is welcomed on Oct. 30, 2021, in Cleveland. The artist with the most Grammys in hip-hop history, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter, will be joined by former rival and the man who is credited with being the explosive artist to help bring Def Jam Records to life with his debut record, “I Can’t Live Without My Radio,” James Todd Smith, known back then as LL Cool J.

RELATED CONTENT: The 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Nominees Reflect A Range of Black Excellence

One of rock’s best-known performers, Tina Turner, will get her acknowledgment at the ceremony as well, along with poet and jazz musician, Gil Scott-Heron and soul entertainer and songwriter, Billy Preston.

And one of Black music’s most successful executives who is known as the “Black Godfather,” Clarence Avant, will have his name hanging in the halls as well!

“This diverse class of talented Inductees reflects the Rock Hall’s ongoing commitment to honor artists whose music created the sound of youth culture”, said John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in a written statement. “It will make for an unforgettable live celebration of music in October at this year’s Induction Ceremony in Cleveland.”

The list is as follows:

In the Performer Category:

• Tina Turner
• Carole King
• The Go-Go’s
• JAY-Z
• Foo Fighters
• Todd Rundgren

For the Early Influence Award:

• Kraftwerk
• Charley Patton
• Gil Scott-Heron

The Musical Excellence Award goes to:

• LL Cool J
• Billy Preston
• Randy Rhoads

and receiving the Ahmet Ertegun Award:

• Clarence Avant

After becoming a trending topic this week with her shocking engagement announcement, Porsha Williams is gearing up to star in her own three-part special on her life.

Bravo announced the mini spinoff on Tuesday as William’s name broke the internet over her and Simon Guobadia confirming their relationship, Page Six reports. Guobadia made a brief appearance on The Real Housewives of Atlanta alongside his soon-to-be ex-wife Falynn Guobadia. However, the scandal attached to their engagement announcement has nothing to do with Williams getting a solo spin-off special.

“It was greenlit months ago, so it has nothing to do with this [engagement] news,” a source told the outlet. “The special is supposed to focus on Porsha, her activism and her family.”

As the granddaughter of civil rights activist Hosea Williams, the younger Williams put herself on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 to advocate against the fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor. She covered her activism and protest-related arrests on season 12 of RHOA.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by #PorshaWilliams (@porsha4real)

But her social justice work has taken a backburner to the scandal surrounding her new relationship. Simon’s ex Falynn appeared on the show as “Porsha’s friend,” so show fans were left slack-jawed when Williams posted a lengthy caption confirming her newfound romance with Simon and claiming she and Falynn were “not friends.”

“Our relationship began a month ago—yes we are crazy in love. I know it’s fast but we are living life each day to its fullest,” she captioned a selfie alongside the Nigerian film producer. “For all of you that need facts, I get the optics but Simon filed for divorce from a previous marriage in January. I had nothing to do with their divorce filing. That’s between the two of them. Falynn and I are not friends, and Simon’s divorce has been settled,” she declared.

But insiders are hinting at the possibility of a pregnancy after Guobadia admitted to proposing to the Bravo star.

“If she’s engaged to him and she’s pregnant [with his child], that could change things,” the source added. “It would obviously become part of [the special].”

Whether she’s expecting another child or not, Porsha is securing the bag and expanding her brand to provide more mainstream coverage of her work within the Black Lives Matter movement. Can’t hate on that.

by Derek Major

May 12, 2021

The New York Times Asked NYC Mayoral Candidates How Much A House In Brooklyn Costs, Only One Got It Right

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Brooklyn is home to 19 of New York City’s priciest neighborhoods and its residents know it. However, it seems that most of the candidates running for mayor do not.

The New York Times asked the city’s top mayoral candidates how much a house in Brooklyn costs. Five of the candidates live in Brooklyn, but the question led to a wide range of answers and the belief that many of the city’s candidates do not know the financial hardships average New Yorkers face.

According to Realtor.com the average price of a house in Brooklyn is $929,000.

Shaun Donovan, who ran the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under former President Barack Obama and previously served as housing commissioner of NYC under Mayor Michael Bloomberg told the Times, “I would guess it is around $100,000.”

Former Citigroup Executive Ray McGuire came in lower: “It’s got to be somewhere in the $80,000 to $90,000 range, if not higher.”

Representatives for both men later said they misspoke.

Donovan’s spokesman Jeremy Edwards told the paper Donovan got his figures mixed up as Donovan was working on a complex housing assessment lawsuit. McGuire emailed the paper Tuesday saying he made a mistake when accounting the cost of a house in the popular borough.

Other candidates were closer, but still off. Dianne Morales, who was born, raised, and still lives in Brooklyn guessed $500,000. Former NYC Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia, who grew up in Park Slope, one of Brooklyn’s most affluent neighborhoods, guessed $800,000.

Former Bill de Blasio aide Maya Wiley said the figure was $1.8 million, overshooting the average price, but considering how expensive the city is, no one was shocked at her answer. City Comptroller Scott Stringer guessed $1 million and entrepreneur Andrew Yang, came the closest with his guess of $900,000.

The question pointed out just how much a house in the borough and in the city costs. According to Business Insider, Hawaii ($636,451) is the most expensive state to buy a house. The price of a home in Brooklyn is at least $200,000 more.

Fast Company reported in March that 4.2% of residents who left Manhattan during the pandemic, moved to Brooklyn, the second-highest rate outside of Suffolk County, Long Island.

Leave it up to the Barbz to crash the Croc website after Nicki Minaj posted a photo sporting a hot pink pair.

The platinum-selling rapper recently ended her social media hiatus by posting a pair of photos wearing nothing but a pair of personalized Barbie pink crocs. “F R I D A Y 🤞🏽,” she captioned the post that showed her covering her body with a pair of pink heart-shaped pillows.

She accented her seemingly nude look with dozens of diamond necklaces, bracelets, and anklets as well as her signature Crocs that included bedazzled chains and the Chanel logo. Her vague announcement could be a hint at a possible Crocs collab or new music.

The footwear brand has partnered with celebrities in the last year to release signature collections for their fans to enjoy, LA Times reports. Singers Justin Bieber, Bad Bunny, and Post Malone are the most recent famous faces to launch mini collections with the brand. So it didn’t take Nicki fans too long to put two-and-two together and assume the “Super Bass” emcee was teasing a possible Crocs collection.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Barbie (@nickiminaj)

As a result, Nicki’s post’s caused a 4,900% spike in sales of the $50 pink Crocs, the Sole Supplier reports. While helping the footwear brand’s sales skyrocket, the retailer’s website also crashed as Barbz flooded the internet searching for a pair, Page Six reports. Google also noted an increase in searches for “pink Crocs” and “Nicki Minaj Crocs,” Revolt reports.

The shoe’s popularity was already on the rise amid the pandemic as people resorted to more comfortable fitting attire that included socks and a pair of Crocs. It’s possible that the “Pink Friday” rapper is looking to stick her fork in and get a piece of the pie.

She shared another post with a caption that included some new bars further hinting at her return to the entertainment scene. Whether the big news is new music or a new fashion collaboration, the Barbz are ready for the Queen’s return.

After being on the frontlines of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign, Symone Sanders’s good friend recently admitted how “hurt” she was by the press secretary snub.

A Washington Post feature on Sanders and her fiancé, D.C.’s director of culture and nightlife Shawn Townsend, unearthed Sanders’ feelings of being “stung” after Biden chose former Obama communications director Jen Psaki for the press secretary job, The Hill reports.

The couple’s mutual friend, civil rights attorney Bakari Sellers, confirmed the senior adviser to Vice President Harris was reportedly “hurt” after being passed over for the White House press secretary job.

“She was definitely hopeful that she would have that opportunity,” Sellers revealed in the feature released on saturday.

Sanders’ work in the last two presidential elections includes campaigning for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the 2016 election before working as an adviser on President Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign. She stood by his side and publicly defended him after Biden’s controversial comments telling the Black community that if they didn’t vote for him, “then you ain’t Black.”

Vice President Biden spent his career fighting alongside and for the African American community. He won his party's nomination by earning every vote and meeting people where they are and that's exactly what he intends to do this November. 1/

— Symone D. Sanders Townsend (@SymoneDSanders) May 22, 2020

“The comments made at the end of the Breakfast Club interview were in jest, but let’s be clear about what the VP was saying: he was making the distinction that he would put his record with the African American community up against Trump’s any day. Period,” Sanders tweeted in May 2020.

But her damage control for Biden didn’t prove to be enough to become his press secretary.

“These moments were not few and far between,” Sellers said in the feature. “They would send Symone out to take those bullets. … And then to be passed over, that hurt.”

In her memoir, Sanders has admitted to wanting to become the first Black press secretary. Sellers revelations come one week after Psaki announced her plans to step down from the press secretary role next year, Business Insider reports.

But with Sanders working as Kamala Harris’s senior adviser, she told the Post she is “happy where I am and with what I’m doing,” adding, “And it’s keeping me very very busy!”