• COVID-19

by Derek Major

May 10, 2021

GOP Governors Cut Unemployment Benefits After Disappointing Jobs Report

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Three Republican governors have announced plans to cut expanded federal jobless benefits, arguing that an extra $300 a week is keeping people from working.

The governors of Arkansas (Asa Hutchinson), Montana (Greg Gianforte) and South Carolina (Henry McMaster) are all cutting federal unemployment benefits to push their constituents to leave the safety of their homes and retain full-time employment.

The announcements come after the Labor Department announced a woeful 266,000 jobs added in April. Economists expected about 1 million jobs to be added. The Chamber of Commerce is also pushing Congress to end extended federal unemployment benefits before they expire this fall.

The Biden administration and Democrats argue the benefits are providing help to families across the country who are not returning to work for a variety of reasons. Millions of Americans know someone who has died from coronavirus and still fear catching it. Women are also staying home as adequate childcare options are unavailable or unaffordable. Additionally, the number of Americans willing to take the vaccine is dropping.

“The case that labor shortages are slowing jobs growth is stronger today than it was yesterday, however the jury is still out on how much enhanced unemployment benefits are a contributing factor,” Daniel Zhao, senior economist at Glassdoor told The Hill.

Zhao added that one-time bonus checks and even higher wages do not solve childcare needs and pre-existing conditions or other health risks of coronavirus.

Another reason jobs aren’t being filled is that some do not provide enough benefits. The pandemic showed just how important healthcare and other benefits are. However, jobs in the hospitality and service fields typically come without healthcare or other benefits that have been paramount to survival in the pandemic, meaning they’ll struggle to retain employees since what Americans value in a job has changed.

President Biden is confident job numbers will increase as vaccinations continue, states begin to reopen, and the economy balances itself out. However, more Republican states are expected to follow Arkansas, Montana, and South Carolina.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has reinstated job requirements related to unemployment benefits and other Republican states are expected to follow suit.

• Diversity, Equality, Inclusion

by Derek Major

May 10, 2021

IPG Mediabrands Increasing Ad Spending With Black-Owned Media Companies After Full Court Pressure

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IPG Mediabrands, a self-described client-first, community-driven group of 13,000 media and marketing specialists, has committed to invest at least 5% of its advertising budget in Black-owned media across all its clients by 2023.

The announcement comes as brands and their advertising agencies are being pushed to spend more with Black media companies. IPG’s commitment leaves room for clients to spend more than 5% of their ad budgets in Black-owned media.

“The time is past due to embrace the opportunities to connect with influential audiences through Black-owned media,” Daryl Lee, global CEO at IPG Mediabrands, said in an emailed statement. “Innovation and growth are flourishing across Black-owned media outlets, providing brands with deeply authentic ways to reach diverse audiences in a supportive, meaningful manner. We are excited to be adding our voice to a growing industry conversation in support of greater diversity and equity in media spend.”

According to Nielsen data, last year, Black media companies received less than 2% of total ad spending. That’s almost non-existent when considering Black Americans make up 13% of the U.S. population and represent $1.4 trillion in buying power.

Byron Allen, CEO of the Allen Media Group emailed General Motors CEO Mary Barra requesting a meeting concerning the company’s ad spending. The group discovered just .5% of GM’s ad revenue goes to Black-owned media.

Barra brushed aside the meeting and GM’s Chief Marketing Officer Deborah Wahl responded saying she would meet with a group of Black media CEOs. That prompted Allen, rapper O’Shea ‘Ice Cube’ Jackson, Black Enterprise CEO Earl ‘Butch’ Graves, and several owners of Black-owned media companies to take out a full-page ad in local newspapers where GM is headquartered, calling Barra a racist.

“Mary, you have asked us to meet with your Chief Marketing Officer, Deborah Wahl. We have absolutely no interest in that because when Deborah was Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald’s, in our opinion, Black Owned Media was, once again, severely neglected, minimized and discriminated against. To be clear, Black Owned Media and not minority owned, because minority includes white women and large corporations like General Motors can hide behind and tout their minority records while continuing not to do business with Black Owned Media companies.”

GM did announce it will increase its ad spending with Black media companies to 4% by the end of next year. Verizon has also made a smaller, yet similar pledge.

According to IPG, one issue in getting companies to invest in Black media companies has been a lack of Nielsen measurements and tools that media sellers rely on. However, because advertisers don’t invest in Black media companies, they have less money to invest in the tools necessary to develop those tools.

IPG has highlighted working with Black media companies including Urban One, ReachTV, Revolt, Blavity, Ebony, and Essence. The agency will also continue hosting monthly equity sessions that present the content and marketing capabilities of Black media.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 10, 2021

San Francisco To Redirect $3.75 Million From Police Department Into Black Businesses

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San Francisco Mayor London Breed was not playing when she announced her plans to defund the police last June. Breed most recently redirected over $3 million into the Black community as part of her Dream Keeper Initiative.

The city made an official announcement on May 5, declaring that $3.75 million would be awarded to serve San Francisco’s Black small business owners. The money is an investment from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) and the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (HRC) as part of the Dream Keeper Initiative’s reinvestment of $120 million from local law enforcement into San Francisco’s Black community.

“Across this country, and in our City, we’ve seen how the Black community’s economic growth and prosperity has historically been disrupted and marginalized,” Mayor Breed said. “This funding is part our efforts to undo the harm of generations of disinvestment and economic inequities. As we work to recover and make San Francisco a better place to live, work, and do business, we have to invest our resources in a way that lifts up and supports African American small businesses owners, entrepreneurs, and the entire community.”

Mayor Breed introduced her plan to “defund the police” in June 2020 following the fatal police shooting of George Floyd in Minneapolis, HuffPost reported. The declaration sought to redirect millions of dollars from local police departments into the city’s African American community. That July, the city passed the Caren Act making it illegal to make a racially biased 911 call. In September 2020, the city unveiled the Abundant Birth Project that would give $1,000 to Black mothers through a government program.

With the latest $3.75 million investment, the funds will go to 17 community organizations, including the San Francisco African American Chamber of Commerce, the San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, SF Black Wall Street, Mercy Housing, and Bayview Hunters Point Community Advocates.

“This funding represents an investment in the community and addressing the wealth and opportunity gaps created by years of biased policies and approaches,” said Sheryl Davis, Executive Director of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission. “There is tremendous talent and potential that has been stifled by our biased policies and strategies, through this process we will see the implementation of creative and innovative programs that have the potential to support and benefit all of San Francisco and not just the Black community.”

The Louisiana State University Board of Supervisors have has named William Tate IV, Education Foundation Distinguished Professor at the University of South Carolina, as the university’s next president.

Tate will begin his term in July.

“What I’m really most excited about is I met students here who really are amazing, and for me, this position is all about what we can do to help students and give people access and opportunity in higher education,” Tate said in a written statement. “That’s really in my DNA, how do we help people regardless of their background–we find the money, get you here, and give you the opportunity to live your dream. I think there is no better place in the United States to come find your dream and to make it happen than right here at LSU.”

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Tate replaces Tom Galligan, who has served in that role since January 2020. The Board approved dropping the “interim” from Galligan’s title and making him president until Tate takes over the role.

“This is a very pivotal time at our university, from economic, environmental, social challenges, but we are doing great things at this place. From our academic achievements, our enrollment, our diversity, I’m very proud of what we’ve accomplished,” said LSU Board Chair Robert Dampf. “We set about to find a great leader, and we found one.”

Currently, Tate has served as executive vice president for academic affairs and provost at South Carolina a since July 2020.

According to LSU, Tate oversees the 13 schools and colleges on the University of South Carolina Columbia campus, UofSC School of Medicine Columbia, and the UofSC School of Medicine Greenville, as well as being responsible for the overall leadership of academic affairs of the university, including curriculum development, program assessment, establishment of academic standards, and university accreditation.

He also served as dean of the graduate school and vice provost for graduate education at Washington University in St. Louis from 2002 to 2020. Tate also spent time at Texas Christian University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 10, 2021

PepsiCo Appoints C.D. Glin Vice President, Global Head of Philanthropy for PepsiCo Foundation

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PepsiCo, Inc. has appointed  C.D. Glin, currently, president and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), as Vice President, Global Head of Philanthropy, for the PepsiCo Foundation, effective next week.

Glin will report to Jon Banner, executive vice president, global communications, and president of the PepsiCo Foundation.

“I am proud and humbled to join PepsiCo’s philanthropy team, which is renowned for its high-impact programs that tackle the challenges facing the global food system and supporting local communities,” said Glin in a written statement. ”

Pepsi’s latest hire will be responsible for the daily management of The PepsiCo Foundation. He will also oversee the Foundation’s strategic direction and continued focus on driving progress toward a more sustainable food system. As part of his duties, Glin will be leading global internal and external engagement around The PepsiCo Foundation’s three core pillars: nutrition, water, and economic resilience.

RELATED CONTENT: Erica P. Loewe Begins Her New Role as the Director of African American Media to President Joe Biden

“We are thrilled to welcome C.D. Glin to PepsiCo as we step up our efforts to deliver positive change for people and the planet,” said Banner. “C.D. is a highly respected leader in philanthropy and sustainable development with a global network in both developed and emerging markets. His expertise across food and nutritional security and good water stewardship will be an asset to PepsiCo, our foundation, and all of the communities we serve.”

Currently, Glin is president and CEO of the U.S. African Development Foundation (USADF), an Africa-focused philanthropic organization established by Congress to invest grant capital, build capacity, and scale locally owned, sustainable solutions for underserved and agricultural-dependent populations.

Glin earned a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C; a master’s certificate in business management from Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in New Orleans; and a master’s level diploma in strategy and innovation from the Said Business School at Oxford. He has also completed the Leadership for Senior Executives Program at Harvard Business School.

• News

by Andrea Blackstone

May 10, 2021

Texan Becomes 9th Black Female Pediatric Surgeon in the U.S.

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Dr. Kanika Bowen-Jallow, a board-certified pediatric surgeon at Cook Children’s Pediatric Surgery Center in Prosper, TX, is now the ninth Black female pediatric surgeon in the United States, according to the American Pediatric Surgical Association.

Data from the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) show the growth of Black or African American applicants, matriculants, and graduates lagged behind other groups as recent as 2019.  Thus, Bowen-Jallow’s accomplishment represents a lack of diversity in the medical field.

The  native Texan told Good Morning America that medical school was the first time she had encountered Black physicians in any field. As a result of low number of Black doctors in the U.S., many of her young patients are not accustomed to encountering female doctors like Bowen-Jallow.

“I know it’s the first time they’re seeing a Black woman in any specialty,” Bowen-Jallow said to Good Morning America. “I never saw a Black physician as a kid.”

Cook Children’s Checkup Newsroom interviewed Bowen-Jallow for International Women’s Day. Bowen-Jallow’s said her love of the classic board game Operation in childhood sparked a passion that would lead to a career

“I would also play with my doctor kit, and listen to my parents’ heartbeats with the stethoscope and take their temperature with my tiny thermometer,” she said.

Bowen-Jallow earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University and her a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Bowen-Jallow learned she was recognized as the ninth Black female pediatric surgeon in the U.S, just one month into her career at Cook Children’s Pediatric Surgery Center.

“When the Benjy Brooks committee informed me I’d be recognized for my contributions, I was on cloud nine,” Bowen-Jallow told Cook Children’s Checkup Newsroom. “When APSA released the recognition to their social media account, it was a wonderful day for everyone to see all of my hard work.”

RELATED CONTENT: Black Newborns Are Safest In The Hands Of Black Doctors, New Study Finds

South Carolina’s supply for lethal injection drugs has expired, causing the state to reconsider the firing squad or electric chair as viable options for capital punishment.

Approved by the House, the bill is heading to South Carolina’s governor, who will determine the fate of 37 death row inmates, MSNBC reported.

This provision will make South Carolina the fourth state to allow a firing squad and one of nine in the country to have the electric chair be among its choices for executions.

The bill is all but confirmed to be official as both the Republican-controlled House and Senate would most likely agree, and Gov. Henry McMaster (R-S.C.) is waiting to sign the bill after the Senate approves.

Jeffrey Brian Motts of South Carolina was the last death row inmate to be killed by lethal injection.

Related stories: VIRGINIA JUST BECAME THE FIRST SOUTHERN STATE TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY

Motts was originally serving a life sentence for killing two elderly people during a Spartanburg County robbery in 1995, but he received the death sentence for killing his cellmate at a state prison in Greenville County in 2005, the Associated Press reported.

He died on May 5, 2011, at age 35.

There are three death row inmates who are out of appeals, but as Ebony reported, lawsuits against the new death penalty method are imminent.

“Three living, breathing human beings with a heartbeat [are who] this bill is aimed at killing,” Democratic Rep. Justin Bamberg said. “If you push the green button at the end of the day and vote to pass this bill out of this body, you may as well be throwing the switch yourself.”

“Those families of victims to these capital crimes are unable to get any closure because we are caught in this limbo stage where every potential appeal has been exhausted and the legally imposed sentences cannot be carried out,” said Republican Rep. Weston Newton, who is in favor of the firing squads.

When the news broke of the electric chair’s return, MSNBC host Joy Reid took to Twitter to recall George Stinney Jr., an innocent Black 14-year old who was executed.

https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/1391211879847112710?s=20

• News

by Derek Major

May 10, 2021

U.S. Jobs Report Shows America Still Hasn’t Recovered From COVID-19 Pandemic

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The U.S. economy added just 266,000 jobs in the month of April, falling significantly short of projections and showing lawmakers the country is far from recovered.

Economists forecasted the country would add about 1 million jobs last month believing the vaccine rollout and the reopening of cities would boost employment.

However, employers are having trouble finding employees and millions of laid-off Americans are still looking for work and a return to normal. Additionally, CNN reports March’s job numbers have been revised down to 770,000 from 916,000.

The numbers show the recovery won’t be smooth or fast despite what politicians and business owners want to believe. The country is still down more than 8 million jobs today versus before the pandemic.

Republicans have pointed to the pandemic-related stimulus and unemployment benefits as reasons employment numbers are not rising since many Americans are making more money staying home.

Why is anyone surprised that the jobs reports fell short of expectations?

I told you weeks ago that in #Florida I hear from #smallbusiness everyday that they can’t hire people because the government is paying them to not go back to work https://t.co/4iz5CM9Ayk

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) May 7, 2021

President Joe Biden dismissed those claims Friday saying the job numbers prove the pain the pandemic inflicted is still broad.

“We have a long way to go. This report emphasizes how steep the climb is out of this crisis, and it shows the importance of the American Rescue Plan,” Jared Bernstein, a member of the president’s Council of Economic Advisers told Reuters Friday.

Bernstein added adults have a wide range of reasons for not seeking jobs including childcare, safety concerns, and schooling issues. The numbers are also indicative that several areas are still struggling. The restaurant and bar industry, in particular, is having trouble with employment as are low-income workers, women, Hispanic and Black workers.

RELATED CONTENT: President Joe Biden’s Top Economist Plans To Address Inequality And Create Jobs

The low job numbers have led to some employers raising their wages to attract workers. The average hourly earnings increase 21 cents to $30.17 according to CNN.

Democrats are also pointing to the numbers to show just how much Biden’s American Jobs and Families Plan and even a fourth round of stimulus checks is needed. According to a study conducted by Impact Genome and the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, 38 million Americans are worse off than they were before the pandemic.

Dozen of Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy students and faculty members protested for a fellow classmate who said he was racially profiled at local Safeway.

Ja’Mari Oliver, 11, visited a Safeway on the morning of April 26, but security guards insisted that he stole the sandwich he paid for, The Hill reported.

Oliver had the receipt, but the security guards would not let him leave the store until a manager verified his purchase.

The whole ordeal was tragic for Oliver, who went home crying to her mother. When Tatiana Hawkins went to the store to get an explanation of how her son got profiled, she described the Safeway workplace as “hostile.”

“A Safeway representative confirmed that third-party security guards asked for a receipt and eventually Ja’Mari left the store with his mother. Those involved have been ‘removed’ from the store, said spokesperson Wendy Gutshall, the San Francisco Examiner reported,

“The store manager was unaware of what happened until the young man returned to the store with his mother,” Gutshall told the Examiner. “He extended our most sincere apologies for the boy’s unsettling experience. While our internal investigation is ongoing, we can tell you that this is counter to our policies and training.”

The managers gave Hawkins a $25 gift card.

Third-grade teacher Ryan Swick said his students are aware of the racial divide among Black people and White. As students of a school named after an openly gay civil rights icon, they wanted to take a stand against injustice.

“Kids are aware that this kind of stuff happens,” Swick told the Examiner. “You don’t think it happens to someone in your community, until it happens to someone in your community.”

Last Wednesday,  students, staff, and community members walked a mile to the Safeway, marching on Oliver’s behalf and carrying  “Black Lives Matter” signs.

“We don’t just want to focus on the things that can happen to [Black and Brown students],” Swick said. “But also, how are we restoring Ja’Mari’s joy? How are we showering him with the community to let him know we are with him? When you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.”

Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy also prepared a list of demands for Safeway.

With previous announcements of two documentaries featuring the youngest heavyweight boxing champion in history, another one is being premiered at the end of this month.

ABC News recently announced that it will debut a four-hour documentary series on the life of the youngest heavyweight champion, boxing legend Mike Tyson. The documentary, Mike Tyson: The Knockout will chronicle the former boxing champion’s climb, crash, and comeback. It will feature the real-life story of Tyson from his difficult childhood to becoming the undisputed world champion as well as his 1992 rape conviction and his personal struggles throughout his infamous career.

RELATED CONTENT: Jamie Foxx Portrays Boxing Champ Mike Tyson in Upcoming Series Directed By Antoine Fuqua

The documentary will spotlight his life’s extreme highs and lows. The two-part primetime event examines some of the most pressing questions about resilience and reinvention. Mike Tyson: The Knockout will feature exclusive interviews with actor and boxing enthusiast Rosie Perez, former President of HBO Sports Ross Greenburg, ESPN’s Jeremy Schaap, as well as people and associates who were in Tyson’s inner circle and more.

Footage will also include exclusive ABC News archival material and previously unaired interview footage with Tyson. The former champion reflects on what he has learned throughout his boxing career and his new outlook on life. Mike Tyson: The Knockout premieres on back-to-back Tuesdays, May 25 and June 1, (8:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET), on ABC. It can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.

“In addition to being an inspiring story of the perseverance and hard-won growth of one extraordinary person, Mike Tyson’s life and career are also relevant to the important collective self-reflection finally occurring in America,” said executive producer Geoffrey Fletcher.

After sharing his disgust for Hulu producing an unauthorized biopic based on his life, Mike Tyson is getting the chance to get his story out with his involvement. Multi-talented entertainer, Jamie Foxx will be playing heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson in a new biographical limited series. Unlike the upcoming Hulu-produced Iron Mike series, Tyson is directly involved in this limited series titled, Tyson.