Seventy-year-old Doctoral Student Graduates from Howard University
by Andrea Blackstone

May 11, 2021

Seventy-year-old Doctoral Student Graduates from Howard University

Seventy-year-old Joseph M. Grant refused to allow age stop him from achieving his academic dream of graduating this year from Howard University with a doctorate in political science with a focus on American government and Black politics.

“I always wanted to go to Howard; literally all my life. This is my first HBCU experience,”  Grant told Howard University Newsroom interview.

Grant had always wanted to study political science and teach. He began his doctoral journey in 2015, at 65 years old. Grant moved from South Carolina to Washington, D.C. The late Gary Harris, Ph.D., the former dean of the Graduate School at Howard University; Elsie Scott, Ph.D., the director of the Ronald W. Walters Leadership and Public Policy Center; and his younger classmates all supported Grant’s academic journey.

There were roadblocks along the way. Grant experienced a subdural hematoma, requiring him to take time off which delayed his studies by two years.

“After the surgery, my ability to read and comprehend was much less than it was before the surgery. I had to learn to hold a knife and fork and I had major confusion and memory loss. I could not comprehend what I read, nor understand its importance to what I was trying to do. My surgery altered my course of study, and seriously threatened my ability to complete my program. I almost died,” Grant told Howard University.

Grant’s perseverance was well-received on social media, after his son tweeted about his father’s scholarly pursuits.

 

A flood of comments poured in about Grant’s inspirational testimony. When Grant’s son also announced his father needed a graduation robe, Twitter users responded again. The issue was resolved.

 

Credit- Twitter – @UncleRoss_

 

@angeliamaria replied to @UncleRoss_  about posting photos.

“Please make sure to post pics. Tell him I’m proud of him.  He’s everybody’s pops now :)”

Columbia University Press reported that Howard University produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States.

Self-taught Inventor, Student Builds Dream Solar Car Made From Trash
by Andrea Blackstone

May 10, 2021

Self-taught Inventor, Student Builds Dream Solar Car Made From Trash

Imagine building a running car made from scraps and trash. That is what Emmanuel Alie Mansaray—a college student from Sierra Leone—did. Further Africa reported that the university student came up with the idea of building a solar-powered car made from trash and scraps he picked up over time. Further Africa also reported that the project took Mansaray three years to complete, but he now regularly drives the car around town.

Further Africa also stated that pollution is a growing problem in Sierra Leone.

Photo credit- Facebook- Emmanuel Alie Mansaray

 

“Now, more than ever, there is a need for renewable transport to ensure cleaner air for its inhabitants. It has been rated as the 17th most vulnerable country in the world, when it comes to air pollution,” Further Africa also said.

It was mentioned that Mansaray wants affordable, green energy to be accessible to everyone. The creative thinker who is interested in renewable energy is on a path to think out of the box while integrating clean energy. However, the journey to make a difference has not been easy for Mansaray.

Salone Messenger said that the self-taught engineer and inventor of “The Imagination Solar Car” could not get much support for his idea. In response, he saved money his family had given him for lunch to buy parts for the project, according to Salone Messenger.

Mansaray’s determined spirit was evident in a Facebook post that he shared on his page back in April. The inventor stated that people who saw him moving trash thought he was crazy. However, he kept moving forward to complete his innovative project.

 

Photo credit- Facebook- Emmanuel Alie Mansaray

 

“But I never give up on my dreams and vision, because of the negative thought of people,” Mansaray said. “There are lots of Emmanuel out there that needs your support to make their dreams become successful.”

You may learn more about Mansaray’s goals to start an energy project by visiting his GoFundMe page. It is located here.

A Malian Woman Gave Birth to Nine Babies After Expecting Seven
by Andrea Blackstone

May 10, 2021

A Malian Woman Gave Birth to Nine Babies After Expecting Seven

Halima Cisse, 25, of Mali gave birth to nonuplets after expecting seven babies. Mali’s health minister shared the news in a Facebook announcement while thanking the medical team in Morocco where Cisse gave birth.

“The Minister of Health and Social Development is pleased to inform national and international public opinion of Ms. Halima CISSE’s happy multi-fetal pregnancy outcome,” the health minister said in the statement. “Under this joyful circumstances, the Minister of Health and Social Development thanks the President of Transition, whose political leadership and generosity have led to diligent and financial responsibility for the health evacuation of Halima CISSE.”


Additionally, the BBC said that the mother who gave birth to nine babies, after expecting seven, possibly set a world record. Cisse gave birth to five girls and four boys which turned out to be two more than expected. Scans did not detect them.

“The babies are all well, and if there are no complications, the family will set a new world record,” the BBC reported.

In the BBC’s news video,  the father of the babies, and Cisse’s husband said that ‘it did not surprise him because he is a believer.’

“I am happy. Very, very happy, just like you. Once again, we thank God….,” Arby stated, according to the BBC.

Photo credit- Facebook

The mother was flown to Morocco and had a Caesarean. ABC News said that Malian doctors, under government orders, sent Cissee to Morocco for the births because Mali is one of the poorest counties. According to the news report, hospitals there were ill-equipped to provide adequate care needed by the woman who experienced exceptional multiple pregnancies. ABC added that Cisse gave birth prematurely at 30 weeks. The report also included details provided by Casablanca clinic’s director, Youssef Alaoui. Details provided also revealed that Cisse is currently in stable condition, after experiencing heavy bleeding for which she was given a blood transfusion.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 10, 2021

White Twitter User Attacks Claire Huxtable, Black Twitter Reacts

Mother’s Day was almost without controversy until a white Twitter user went after one of Black America’s favorite and possibly most popular TV mothers.

Twitter user, Lisa Talmadge, provoked some angry Twitter users when she responded on Twitter to posts that placed “The Cosby Show’s” Claire Huxtable character, played by actress Phylicia Rashad, as one of the best TV mothers.

“Claire Huxtable was an enabler of the longest and most prolific drug rape predator In US history, Bill Cosby. Everyone on set knew he was a sadistic predator. Everyone. 75 women drugged and raped by Cosby and he got away with it because of enablers,” the social media post read before it was deleted by Talmadge.

 

Lisa Talmadge Tweet
(Image: Twitter)

 

Twitter users immediately went on the attack against Talmadge, defending Rashad and lambasting her for not recognizing that Rashad had nothing to do with her TV husband, Bill Cosby’s, actions that led to his imprisonment.

Earlier today, Talmadge returned to Twitter to apologize for that Tweet she posted and then deleted.

Man Opens Ohio’s First Black-Owned Breast Cancer Center in Honor of His Late Mother
by Andrea Blackstone

May 10, 2021

Man Opens Ohio’s First Black-Owned Breast Cancer Center in Honor of His Late Mother

WKYC reported that Ohio’s first Black-owned breast cancer center recently opened in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood. Lavar Jacobs wanted to start The Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Center, in honor of his 49-year-old mother and best friend who tragically passed away from breast cancer in 2009, so he took proactive measures to make his dream a reality.

According to WKYC, Jacob said that wearing pink in the month of October is a nice way to bring awareness to breast cancer, however, for folks who are affected by the disease, it’s a year-round battle. Jacobs also founded a nonprofit to help women and others who are impacted by the disease. Wigs, massages, therapy, help with their finances, help with insurance, the kids have a room where they can hang out while treatment is being received will be available at the center, according to WKYC.

“Not Just October, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, was created to expand the knowledge and resources available to breast cancer patients, survivors, and their supporters. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of encouragement, advocacy, and total support.  Through the promotion of education and community engagement, we hope to improve the awareness around breast cancer and its effect on families around the world,” the website explains.

Through his vision of helping others who are affected by breast cancer in the community, Jacobs is honoring his late mother.

Instagram photo credit- @ notjustoctober

 

“I’ve always had the vision of the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center,” Lavar said to WYKC. “She didn’t get to do everything she had planned. She deserves more of a legacy.”

On Instagram, Jacobs expressed his excitement about achieving his goal of opening The Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Center.

“I’m ready!! Are you? Meet me at the Kim Jacobs Breast Cancer Resource Center today at 1:00PM! Ribbon Cutting Ceremony & tours of the facility! My blood is pumping with excitement! Can’t wait for everyone to see my vision for the community & my way of honoring my Mom. Thanks in advance to everyone who attends, purchases merchandise, donates, and Prays for the success of this center! You are appreciated! See you guys soon! 946 Kenmore Blvd,” Jacobs said in a post.

NFT Platform Bitski Receives $19 Million Investment From Jay-Z And Serena Williams
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2021

NFT Platform Bitski Receives $19 Million Investment From Jay-Z And Serena Williams

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z and tennis champion Serena Williams have joined the cryptocurrency wave by investing nearly $20 million into NFT platform Bitski.

As NFT sales continue to skyrocket, the Brooklyn emcee and pro athlete deemed it necessary to get their piece of the pie. Bitski prides itself in being “the Shopify of NFTs” and will continue developing its platform after closing a $19 million Series A funding round led by Andreesen Horowitz, Forbes reports.

The company aims to provide a more seamless process when creating, buying, and selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The NFT market has steadily increased in recent years with sales jumping from $250 million to $389 million in 2020 alone, Yahoo Finance reports.

As the market continues to grow, Jay-Z’s Marcy Ventures Partners joined a $19 million funding round for Bitski along with Serena Williams, UpRoxx reports. Jay-Z’s Roc Nation co-founder Jay Brown is also on the list of investors along with Troy Carter, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, and 3LAU.

Bitski Homepage

Joining the billionaire rap superstar and 23-time Grand Slam winner as Bitski investors are Wendi Murdoch, and executives from TikTok, Snapchat, Twitter, 100 Thieves, and Adobe. Back in 2019, Bitski was backed in a $1.81 million seed funding round that included Galaxy Digital, Winklevoss Capital, and Coinbase Ventures, Coinbase reports.

Now with its latest round of Series A funding, Bitski plans to use the investment to “make the NFT economy more accessible for creators, brands, and enterprises,” it said in a statement. Just last week, Bitski conducted an auction of NFTs for Trevor Lawrence, the first pick in the 2021 NFL football Draft, HighSnobiety.com reports. The company has assisted major brands and companies like Adidas connect with consumers through the NFT marketplace.

With NFTs dominating the art buyers industry, art collectors and artists are both hopeful that investments in platforms like Bitski will help bring more authenticity, equity, and return on investment within the market.

Michelle Obama: ‘If You Want To Hang Out With Us, Get Vaccinated’
by Derek Major

May 10, 2021

Michelle Obama: ‘If You Want To Hang Out With Us, Get Vaccinated’

Former First Lady Michelle Obama says she has a simple rule when it comes to visiting with her and former President Barack Obama: no vaccine, no visit.

In an interview with CBS’ Gayle King that aired Monday, Michelle Obama made it clear that anyone who comes around her and her family must be vaccinated, no exceptions.

“You wanna hang out with us? Get your vaccine,” she told Gayle King Monday on CBS This Morning. “Get all of it. Finish it up. And then we can talk. So I urge everybody out there within the sound of our voices, please, please get the vaccine. It’s time.”

King followed Obama’s comments saying many Americans are still scared of receiving vaccinations, don’t believe in the science behind them, or simply don’t want to get it. Both Michelle and Barack have been urging Americans, especially Black Americans, to get vaccinated and to follow the science behind the vaccines.

“All I can say is that I have tried to live a life where I don’t lie to people,” Obama, who received her shot in March, told King. “And the science behind a vaccine is the same science that’s behind aspirin and insulin.”

The interview also touched on mental health as Obama revealed last summer that she was suffering from low-grade depression due to the pandemic, the racial issues that engulfed the country, and the Trump administration.
Obama told King it’s important to openly discuss these feelings as opposed to hiding them.
“To not feel depressed, you know, with all that was going on over the course of this year—it’s sort of, like, ‘So you feel OK in all of this?’ You know, and sometimes we just need to speak the truth,” she said. “When there is such uncertainty and unrest, and lack of leadership and calm, it is upsetting. It shakes you.”
The interview also focused on access to healthy and affordable food and her pandemic hobby of knitting, where she revealed the former President has yet to wear a crew neck sweater she knitted for him.
Republican-Led States Passing Laws to Limit Peaceful Protests
by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2021

Republican-Led States Passing Laws to Limit Peaceful Protests

In wake of the Black Lives Matter protests that swept the nation in 2020, a number of Republican-led states have noticeably passed laws limiting peaceful protests from taking place.

Last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an “anti-riot” bill into law that increases the power of law enforcement when dismantling protests and rallies, Orlando Sentinel reports. The governor described the bill as the “strongest anti-rioting, pro-law enforcement measure in the country,” NPR reports. The provision denies bail for defendants accused of committing crimes during a protest until their first court appearance.

The law was the latest in a series of provisions within conservative states that appear to be in response to the social unrest due to ongoing issues of racial inequality, Yahoo reports. Following heightened social justice movements in 2020, GOP lawmakers in 34 states introduced 81 anti-protest bills during the 2021 legislative session, NPR notes.

“As is the First Amendment right to assemble. You know, the—what we have seen over the last year, really, since George Floyd was killed and there were protests across the country, is a Republican backlash against the idea that police departments are being defunded,” NY Times writer Reid Epstein said. “And that really hits on a Republican talking point pushed by former President Trump and his cohorts for much of the last year. It’s something that is a concern among Republicans even though it’s not necessarily tethered to any truth or any evidence that we’ve seen local governments in these states pushing to defund their police departments.”

Very similar to Florida’s bill, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill granting civil immunity to drivers who plow into protestors while enforcing criminal charges against those protesting in the street, NPR reports. Other states that have passed provisions against protests include Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, Montana, and Tennessee.

The bills passed include provisions against peaceful protests that include defining riots as a gathering of small groups of at least three people, penalties for blocking streets, and making it legally defensible for drivers to run over protesters with their cars.

The strict new laws appear to be in direct response to the heightened Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality and systemic racism as well as indigenous-led protests against expanding fossil fuel infrastructure projects. Peaceful protestors within these 34 states will now have to find new ways to get their message out.

Homeschooled students in Virginia Raise $3,500 For Black History Museum
by Andrea Blackstone

May 10, 2021

Homeschooled students in Virginia Raise $3,500 For Black History Museum

Students from an education cooperative called Cultural Roots has provided a gift of $3,500 to Richard Stewart for the Pocahontas Island Black History Museum, located in Petersburg, VA.

Stewart’s house doubles as a Black History Museum. He chronicles the island’s history there as the “oldest Black community in the United States.”

“About 700 historical pieces are packed within the house’s walls,” the Progresss-Index of Petersburg, VA reported. “Stewart has been used to seeing visitors come to his museum from across the country.”

Cultural Roots’s website explained that Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative’s middle school students spent the Fall semester of 2020 creating the short film about Stewart and the Pocahontas Island Museum.

 

(Facebook credit: Cultural Roots Homeschool Co-op)

“We first met Mr. Stewart in early 2019 when he gave our co-op a hands-on tour of this amazing museum which is home to hundreds of primary source documents and artifacts regarding Black history,” the Website reported.

Cultural Roots is a BIPOC culturally rooted homeschool cooperative where the African Diaspora is emphasized in its studies.

 

(Facebook credit: Cultural Roots Homeschool-Co-op)

The students who created the short film asked viewers to preserve Pocahontas Island, in addition to documents and artifacts Stewart collected over the years by fundraising as a part of the project. According the co-op’s website, the initial fundraising goal was $3,000.

The Progress-Index also reported that the kids presented a $3,500 check to Stewart, which he said was his museum’s largest gift. Additionally, the story credited an unnamed instructor from Virginia Commonwealth University for helping the students to create the documentary.

Kennedy Wright, a sixth grader who worked on the film, remarked that the museum’s iron slave shackles was her most prominent memory from visiting the museum.

“I’d never seen slave shackles before and I thought it was really cool,” Kennedy told The Progress-Index. “If this museum goes away, I’m not sure we’ll get to see those kinds of artifacts.”

The Pocahontas Island Black History Museum, located on the historic Pocahontas Island in Petersburg, Va. was once a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Stewart, a Black History and Civil War expert, is the museum’s founder, an orator and the unofficial “Mayor” of Pocahontas Island who can trace his ancestry back to the 1700s on the island.

 

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 10, 2021

Naomi Osaka Announced 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year

Tennis phenom Naomi Osaka just continues to dominate in all aspects of anything she is involved with!

Less than a week after announcing that the tennis champion has just expanded her investment portfolio with a partnership with health-driven fast-food chain sweetgreen, she was named as the 2021 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year.

According to Laureus, Osaka “won her second US Open in 2020, her third career Grand Slam, at the age of 22, beating Victoria Azarenka by two sets to one in the final. She has now won a Grand Slam in each of the last three years. She won the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award in 2019. She is the first Asian player to have reached world No.1. Her activism on Black Lives Matter led to her being recognised as one of the 2020 Sports Illustrated Sportspersons of the Year.”

“It is an honour to once again be nominated for a Laureus Award by the world’s media. For me, this is special because Laureus sees the big picture—not just sport on the court or the pitch, but how it can help young people around the world, says Osaka.

It was also reported last week that Nike announced that Naomi Osaka’s Play Academy is expanding to Los Angeles and Haiti, while also collaborating with local sport-based organizations that are helping to encourage the next generation of girls who can enjoy play and engage in sports participation.

Late last month, Osaka launched her own skincare line, Kinló. The beauty line will focus on the needs of Blacks and People Of Color (POC).

“I never thought I would ever start my own company, but I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be launching KINLÒ, a new brand of skincare products developed to protect and rejuvenate melanated skin tones. I hope these products can help a lot of people and potentially save lives because I really feel that we aren’t protecting ourselves as much as we could. More coming this Fall @kinloskin ! #STAYGOLDEN #KINLOSKIN“

 

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