by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 11, 2021

Social Media Reacts to Double Standard as Tim Tebow Returns to the NFL While Colin Kaepernick Remains Blackballed

It’s was recently announced that former quarterback Tim Tebow will return to the NFL after being out of the league and playing another sport for the past several years. Not only is the former player returning after not having much success as a quarterback, but he is also being brought back in a position that he has never played in high school, college, or as a professional in the NFL. Social media has definitely noticed the ironic gesture of another former quarterback who has been a success in the league, even taking his team to the Super Bowl, yet, he hasn’t been offered a chance or has had any serious negotiations about returning to a sport he truly loves.

“White privilege” may be the correct term that people are utilizing because former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has basically been exiled from the league due to his stance against police brutality and systemic racism. Ironically, his peaceful protest was to take a knee during the playing of the national anthem, yet, Tebow, who was more known for his religious stance, has also been known for taking a knee as well, yet, it was never seen as controversial and he is being welcomed back to the league more than six years after retiring from a lackluster career at best.

As can be expected, fans and NFL players alike are questioning the logic behind bringing a former quarterback to play a position he has never played, yet, Kaepernick, who is still capable of starting in the league when he last played, still isn’t playing or getting a tryout.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 11, 2021

Rapper J. Cole Signs Contract to Play Professionally For Basketball Africa League

There’s always been a correlation between hip-hop and professional sports, basketball in particular, ever since hip-hop legend Kurtis Blow recorded his seminal hit at the time, “Basketball” way back in 1984. With NBA references in many hit songs to NBA players such as Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest aka Metta World Peace, and several others actually recording songs during their NBA careers, the marriage was always genuine.

Although not the first rapper to express genuine interest in actually playing in a professional basketball league, according to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, one current rapper will actually be on the active roster of a professional basketball team this upcoming inaugural season!

Jermaine Lamarr Cole, better known to the hip-hop world as J. Cole, has reportedly signed a contract to play in the debut season of the Basketball Africa League. The league is starting its first season this week. J. Cole has signed on as a player for Rwanda’s Patriots Basketball Club, which makes its debut on Sunday against Nigeria’s Rivers Hoopers.

Reports have come out of Rwanda as well of J.Cole’s impending professional basketball debut.

This is not the only J. Cole news as the rapper has recently dropped (May 10) a documentary in anticipation of his latest project.

J. Cole – Applying Pressure: The Off-Season Documentary

Dallas Mother Helps Other Black Mothers Through Women-Operated Nonprofit
by Andrea Blackstone

May 11, 2021

Dallas Mother Helps Other Black Mothers Through Women-Operated Nonprofit

Cessilye Smith is founder and executive director of Abide Women’s Health Services in Dallas, a judgement- free zone to help protect Black mothers and their babies. According to the nonprofit’s Instagram page, donation- based prenatal care, free confirmation of pregnancy, free COVID-19 material goods relief, childbirth education, and free lactation support are provided.

 


Abide Women’s Health Services’ website said the organization is operated by women of color, for women of color.

“This life-saving team is a perfect blend of practicality, vision, empathy, and passion for care and change in maternal healthcare,” the online information explained.

Supporting Black mothers in babies is serious work. In 2019, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)  reported that Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women are two to three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women, although most pregnancy–related deaths are preventable.

In an interview with Texas Metro News, Smith said that she wished that Abide Women’s Health Service’s did not have to exist.

“If it weren’t for the rate of Black maternal death in this country, it wouldn’t,” Smith told Texas Metro News.  “Abide is important because it provides a place of refuge. A place of safety for Black mothers. A place where they can feel free to be themselves, a place where they are heard and their lived experiences matter. A place that address biases that in the end kill Black women. Abide is necessary in every city.”

According to the article, Abide provides pre- and post-natal care as well as postpartum doula support and assistance with diapers and formula. Midwives are included on Smith’s team. The activist also told Texas Metro News that building Abide Women’s Health Services from the ground up is for more than today’s mothers.

“It’s for my children and my children’s children. I want the future of Black maternal health to change for them and many more. The biggest success for me is birthing my babies at home and building a legacy for them through Abide,” Smith said.

Click here to learn more about Abide Women’s Health Services.

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 11, 2021

New Orleans Saints’ Cam Jordan Contributes $100,000 to Fund Anti-Racism Training for NOLA Police Officers

A professional football player is making sure that police officers in the town he works have the training necessary to know how to properly treat people of color while interacting with them in the field.

New Orleans Saints‘ three-time All-Pro defensive end Cam Jordan has teamed with Crescent City Corps (CCC), a New Orleans-based non-profit that helps police officers with learning leadership development and community engagement training. The officers then use the training to work alongside people within the community to help build a more just, safe, and inclusive city.

After a successful pilot program with 10 officers in 2019, the program will train more than 80 New Orleans Police Department officers in the next two years, with Jordan committing more than $100,000 to its funding.via a partnership with his God Iz Love foundation.

After the country experienced protests after the police killing of George Floyd last year, it sparked the thought process for Jordan in developing this type of partnership with the police department.

“From as far back as you can remember, you’ve always felt some sort of divide between my own personal safety, and that of a policing entity,” Jordan said in a written statement. “And then, going forward and especially within this last 18 months, and being a part of some of these peaceful protests even here in New Orleans, you think about, what can you do. You go through these emotional interchanges, whether it’s defund the police or abolish the police fully. It’s along these lines of defund the police–and I say defund the police, in terms of reinvesting into the community, and what capacities can we do so.”

After a successful pilot program with 10 officers back in 2019, the program has been expanded to train more than 80 New Orleans Police Department officers in the next two years, with Jordan committing more than $100,000 to its funding.

“This feels like this could be potentially a good step to take with Crescent City Corps and the training program that they’ve implemented. I mean, you think about how they’re taking 16 police officers going through this program, and training them in anti-racism training, equality training, leadership training, and then pushing them back out. And it’s like, you hope that this will create a positive change. This sort of gives me a sense of hope for a positive change, and that’s what it’s about. If we create some sort of positive impact, where one day the chief of police is a graduate of this program, the future mayor–it’s all about the future and how we can try and affect that. That’s why I’m so hands-on with this program, because I want to see the positive change happening.”

According to NOLA.com, Crescent City Corps’ chief executive director, Brent Godfrey stated that the first class of officers, who were all starting their careers and were selected because of their leadership potential, “changed the way they thought of themselves and the city.” NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said that the police officers who complete the training will receive a certificate in innovative policing from Loyola University New Orleans.

Build a Digital Resume With This $30 Professional Personal Site Builder
by Black Enterprise Shop

May 11, 2021

Build a Digital Resume With This $30 Professional Personal Site Builder

Your resume informs employers why you’re the right fit for the job. However, a top-notch professional personal website will show them why you’re the best.

There’s way more to you than a single page of your job history and qualifications. Here’s to rightfully show all the different sides to you with SwiftCV Professional Website Builder: Lifetime Subscription.

The process of making your own site can seem daunting, especially when you consider all the coding, modifications, domain renewals, and the sheer cost of hosting a site. SwiftCV takes the stress out of website building. Your main duties are clicking, dragging, and typing a little here and there.

It starts off with you importing your data from LinkedIn and branching off from there. Add media, your professional projects and work samples, cover letters, all your social links, and pretty much everything else you could possibly demonstrate about yourself and your work.

Even when you’re not passing your unique URL out, recruiters can still get a hold of your site, thanks to SEO optimization. That means if they’re actively looking for someone in your field of expertise, your profile has a way better shot at landing at the top of the search results.

Keep the entire operation low key. You can password protect the site so that no one without the password is able to view your information.

You might be the next user giving SwiftCV a 5-star review, adding to the overall 4.3 star review that it’s holding now. Not the mention that professionals at Google, Netflix, Disney, IDEO, Expedia, and PayPal give SwiftCV their stamp of approval. 

Simply put in $29.99 to buy the SwiftCV Professional Website Builder: Lifetime Subscription from the Black Enterprise Shop, and your return on investment can be the new job of your dreams.

Prices subject to change. 

Sixty8 Capital Announces Close of $20 Million Fund to Support Diverse Startup Founders
by Andrea Blackstone

May 11, 2021

Sixty8 Capital Announces Close of $20 Million Fund to Support Diverse Startup Founders

Indianapolis-based Sixty8 Capital has closed its new $20 million venture fund to primarily invest in underrepresented founders, with an emphasis on providing support in the Midwest.

Investors of the venture fund include the Indiana Next Level Fund, 50 South Capital, Bank of America, Eli Lilly and Company, First Internet Bank, and the Central Indiana Community Foundation.

According to its website,  Sixty8 Capital highlights undercapitalized founders and innovators. Kelli Jones is managing partner and Paul Ehlinger is venture partner of the Indianapolis-based, seed-stage venture capital (VC) firm supporting Black, Latinx, women and LGBTQ+ led startups.

“…Sixty8 Capital…will focus initially on seed investments between the coasts, with an emphasis on the Midwest. Sixty8 Capital is powered by Allos Ventures, one of Indiana’s most active VC firms, with Allos’ Paul Ehlinger serving as venture partner,” the statement also said. “Sixty8 Capital will seek to invest in 25 to 30 pre-seed and seed-stage companies with initial equity checks of $250,000 to $500,000 per company, reserving additional funds for follow-on rounds.”

(Photo credit: Twitter-@AllRaise)

The investment will focus on undercapitalized founders and innovators who often miss out on critical funding, since 90% of venture capital goes to people who look like and live near investors.

“We believe there is an opportunity to truly level the playing field when it comes to capital access for diverse founders in any industry,” Jones said in a statement. “There is a $4 trillion missed opportunity when we don’t put a focus on diverse founders. Venture capital has a significant opportunity to change the trajectory of SMBs and microenterprises by helping them build products and services that utilize tech and have the opportunity to scale.”

A message posted on Sixty8 Capital’s Facebook page encouraged Midwest-based founders who are interested in meeting with the investment management company to visit Sixty8 Capital’s website. The next step is to complete the form that is located at the bottom of the page.

Dr. Maya Angelou First Black Honoree For the American Women Quarters Program
by Andrea Blackstone

May 11, 2021

Dr. Maya Angelou First Black Honoree For the American Women Quarters Program

The United States Mint announced that Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Sally Ride have been selected as the first two honorees in the American Women Quarters Program.

Maya Angelou had a prominent literary career and is known for books such as I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” which was published in 1970 and received international acclaim and landed on the best-sellers list.

“With more than 30 bestselling titles, Maya Angelou has written 36 books,”  her website says.

According to NASA, Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space.

Angelou died in 2014 and Ride passed away in 2012. According to a statement released by the Mint, each woman honored on a coin must be deceased. Additionally, up to five different reverse designs will be issued over the four-year period, beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025.

RELATED CONTENT: Biden Administration Commits To Putting Harriet Tubman On The $20 Bill

“As authorized by Public Law 116-330—the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020—the Mint will issue circulating and numismatic quarter-dollar coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent American woman beginning in January 2022. Contributions may come from a wide spectrum of fields including, but not limited to, suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, and the arts. The women honored will come from ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds,” The Mint said in a statement.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-13) reacted to the Mint’s decision to honor Angelou and Ride.

“For too long, many of the women who have contributed to our country’s history have gone unrecognized, especially women of color,” Congresswoman Lee said in a statement. “I am pleased to see that the first women to be recognized under my bill are outstanding individuals in the fields of science and literature: Dr. Sally Ride and Dr. Maya Angelou. They paved the way for many who came after them and inspired young women to carry on their legacy. Our goal in working on this legislation was to honor phenomenal women like Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Sally Ride. I’m glad they are among the first of many to be recognized.”

 

Twitter photo credit- @RepBarbaraLee

 

In 2018, Lee and former Rep. Bruce Poliquin (R-ME-02) introduced H.R. 5308. According to the press release, the landmark legislation directed the U.S. Treasury to issue quarters– one from each of the 50 states and the U.S. territories—for the purpose of honoring women who have made significant contributions to America.

The public can submit recommendations for women to be honored on quarters via the web portal established by the National Women’s History Museum.

Former Google Employee Develops Technology for Drivers With Health Issues
by Andrea Blackstone

May 11, 2021

Former Google Employee Develops Technology for Drivers With Health Issues

A personal health challenge motivated Megan Gray to develop health technology, instead of rendering her helpless. Gray founded the company, Moment AI, after doctors said that she would never drive again at 23 years old, after an epilepsy diagnosis. Since 2019, Moment AI has evolved into a company focused on using deep tech to solve the toughest driver’s problems. The technology leverages physiological data with traffic data to form the safest software for drivers, according to its website.

“There was no technology that would allow her to drive safely again. So she decided to build her own,” reads the website. “Megan believes that no one should be inhibited in travel due to any health or environmental event. No one’s life should be at the risk of someone having a stressful day behind the wheels. The more people who can drive and live independent lives—like going to work, the more people can contribute to society.”

AfroTech reported that Moment AI is a respected name in the (artificial intelligence) AI startup world. Gray’s team includes her co-founder, Jacob Sutton, scientists, and engineers.

“Gray and the Moment AI team are on a mission to integrate health monitoring into the driving experience so that drivers can be alerted to potential deadly health episodes even before they begin to feel ill,”  AfroTech reported.

On Instagram, womenh2h said that Gray is driven to use technology to better others’ lives.

 

 

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‘Megan started her company, Moment AI, using poker winnings to create a solution to a problem afflicting more than 3 million people in the United States, Epilepsy. Megan was motivated to develop an AI software solution that uses facial recognition to monitor driver safety because of her epilepsy. Her goal was to be allowed to drive herself to work,” womenh2h posted.

Additionally, the Instagram post mentioned that Gray is currently focused on growing Moment AI and continuing to develop products and services for autonomous vehicles.

Gray’s LinkedIn page stated that she worked as a Product Manager for Google and interned for other IT and technology-focused companies. In the summer of 2019, Gray was reportedly part of accelerators and women founders events for Moment AI. According to additional information on Gray’s LinkedIn, Gray has built technology that minimizes bias in AI and has multiple AI software patents pending.

Calls Grow To Remove Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt From Tulsa Race Massacre Commission After He Signs Critical Race Theory Bill
by Derek Major

May 11, 2021

Calls Grow To Remove Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt From Tulsa Race Massacre Commission After He Signs Critical Race Theory Bill

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) signed a bill into law that bans the teaching of critical race theory (CRT) Friday, now residents and activists want him removed from the Tulsa Race Massacre Commission.

Stitt signed the bill Friday and released a video on Twitter explaining why he signed the bill banning CRT, using the GOP line that now is the time to unite the country.

“We need policies that bring us closer together not rip us apart,” Stitt said. “And as governor firmly believe that not one cent of taxpayer money should be used to define and divide young Oklahomans about their race or descent.”

Paula Lewis, a white woman and head of the Oklahoma City Public School Board, described the bill as an “outright racist and oppressive piece of legislation.”

Civil rights organizations and a Tulsa-based news publication are now calling for Stitt’s removal from the state’s Tulsa Race Massacre Commission.

The Black Wall Street Times, a publication focused on the Greenwood community where the race massacre took place in 1921, called for Stitt’s removal from the commission, saying the bill threatens to limit teaching on the Tulsa Race Massacre and justifies racist legislation.

“Cloaked in a narrative of unity, this bill perpetuates systems of racism, White supremacy and violence against the LGBTQ+ community,” the editorial states. “It removes the ability for educators to engage in critical conversations around the history of racism in this country and outlaws certain diversity training for teachers. In the 100 years since the 1921 massacre that destroyed Greenwood and Black Wall Street, state and local governments have consistently attempted to hide our true history.

The editorial goes on to quote Glenn Martin, president and founder of GEMtrainers.com, a social justice consultancy firm, discussing how Republicans continue to ensure the worst parts of U.S. history and white America remain hidden.

“They tend to reinvent themselves, and they do it right under your nose.”

Every Republican in the state supported and voted for the bill and Stitt wasted little time signing it into law.

Dr. Anthony Fauci: Coronavirus Will Become ‘Seasonal’ Like The Flu
by Christian Spencer

May 11, 2021

Dr. Anthony Fauci: Coronavirus Will Become ‘Seasonal’ Like The Flu

During his guest spot on NBC News’ Meet the Press, Dr. Anthony Fauci, an immunologist who serves as the director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and medical advisor to the president, said that virus will become “seasonal.”

Host Chuck Todd started his program saying he was confident that coronavirus is subsiding. Fauci agreed, saying the U.S. is seeing fewer spikes and more blips thanks in part to mask wearing, which “diminishes respiratory diseases.”

Related stories: DR. FAUCI SAYS INSTITUTIONAL RACISM PLAYED A HUGE PART IN DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF COVID-19

“We’ve had practically a non-existent flu season this year merely because people were doing the kinds of public health things that were directed predominantly against COVID-19,” said Fauci, the country’s top infectious disease expert.

“So it is conceivable that as we go on, a year or two or more from now, that during certain seasonal periods when you have respiratory-borne viruses like the flu, people might actually elect to wear masks to diminish the likelihood that you’ll spread these respiratory-borne diseases,” he continued.

Todd and Fauci also discussed herd immunity, a goal some public health experts say is unlikely to be reached due to several factors including not enough people taking precautions such as wearing a mask or getting vaccinated.

Overall, the bar of achieving herd immunity is high, the New York Times reported.

Previously, health experts believed between 60 and 70 percent of Americans had to be immune to the virus. Now those standards have been raised to 80 percent.

With 30 percent say they are reluctant or unwilling to get their shots, The Hill reported, it does not seem likely–or safe–that people should stop wearing masks altogether.

As of this morning, nearly 600,000 Americans have died from COVID-19, and more than 33 million have contracted the virus.

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