A pre-med junior studying biomedical engineering Amma Agyei has become the first Black woman elected to as Tufts University’s student body president.

According to WBZ News Radio, many of Agyei’s peers urged her to run for the position. Agyei opted to promote unity and togetherness in her campaign on her way to making history.

“I consider myself a unifier, and [at first] I didn’t think my interests aligned with so many different groups on this campus,” Agyei told WBZ News Radio. “But then I realized we actually see eye-to-eye on many issues, and [I said], ‘OK, we’re all trying to achieve one goal, why are we divided? Why don’t we come together?’’

Agyei’s historic accomplishment is still rather new. The Tufts Daily said that April 24 marked when Agyei won the Tufts Community Union Senate presidential election by the Tufts Elections Commission (ECOM). She will serve as president in the 2021-22 academic year.

Agyei was born in Ghana and moved to the U.S. during her junior year of high school. During an interview with The Tufts Daily, Agyei mentioned that one goal is to make Tufts–which is located in Massachusetts– a more welcoming environment for prospective Black students.

The college student took time to thank supporters by posting a message on Instagram.

 

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A post shared by TCU Senate President-elect (@voteamma)

“Thank you all for your support, I couldn’t have done this without you. We made history in this campaign and I’m so excited to continue working with all of you as your next President! ❤️”

Tufts’ new student body president is already mentioning long term goals. “It’s really exciting to make history,” Agyei also said in the interview with The Tufts Daily. “[I want to] pave the way for other Black women to be TCU president.”

Five students from Spelman College have been awarded $1 million after winning Goldman Sachs “Market Madness” competition.

Among the seven HBCUs that entered the competition, Spelman was the only one that emerged as the winner, AfroTech reports. A five-student team competed against six teams from other schools with Spelman being the one to “take home the gold,” a statement read.

“The students who represented Spelman in the Goldman Sachs Market Madness competition demonstrated mastery of their concept, preparedness, tenacity and creativity,” said Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., president of Spelman. “We are proud of the success of the winning team and all of those who participated. As an institution born out of the will to educate Black women, Spelman applauds their success. This competition is a perfect example of providing our students with life changing opportunities.”

Britney Kwakye, Gia Tejeda, Whitney Williams, Anisah Thomas, and Caroline Whitfield were the five Spelman students on the school’s “Goldman Sachs Dream Team.” As part of the inaugural competition, the students were required to complete a four-month class in finance fundamentals offered to 125 HBCU freshman and sophomore students. The classes were led by Goldman Sachs professionals and prepared students to participate in the Market Madness case-study competition that’s part of Goldman Sachs’ $25 million commitment to support and invest in HBCUs.

“Words can’t begin to describe how proud I am of myself and my teammates,” Gia Tejeda said. “It has been an honor to represent our beloved institution. I often remind myself of the idea that if your dreams don’t scare you, dream bigger. And, while this was a big dream, I remained steadfast in my faith, believed in myself, and always reassured my team that we’d take home the prize. This one is for the home team!”

Goldman Sachs’ latest initiative is among the increased support and investments coming from major corporations toward HBCUs and the Black community.

• Career

by Andrea Blackstone

May 4, 2021

Natasha Rothwell Inks Big Overall Deal With ABC Signature

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Deadline reports that Natasha Rothwell has signed a multi-year overall deal with ABC Signature. Rothwell is a co-star and producer of the comedy-drama, Insecure. Under the pact— which is in conjunction with Disney General Entertainment’s BIPOC Creator Initiative led by Tara Duncan— the writer, actor, producer, and director will develop new television projects through Big Hattie Productions.

According Hattie Productions’ Instagram page, the movie/television studio is “dedicated to telling subversive stories through an intersectional lens with a focus on underrepresented communities.’ Deadline said that financial details about the deal were not revealed, but talks say the three-year agreement is in the eight-figure range.

“Natasha is the real deal triple threat. I’ve been a fan of her writing for years and have loved watching her career blossom in front of and behind the camera,” Duncan told Deadline “It’s an honor to provide a platform for one of the best comedic talents in the business.”

Rothwell has been a cast member and producer on Insecure, Issa Rae’s Peabody Award-winning HBO series, for the last five years. She’s also set to star in HBO’s The White Lotus.

Rothwell seems to be embracing her journey to tell that stories that resonate with her. Rothwell told Deadline  that she wanted to find a studio partner who would honor her vision and storyteller voice, but one that would also broaden the limited scope with which BIPOCs have traditionally been viewed.

“That’s why I’m so thrilled to be partnering with ABC Signature, and to have the opportunity to tell thoughtful, nuanced stories that center marginalized voices—stories that dare to subvert expectations all under the banner of Big Hattie Productions,” Rothwell said.

Power 98 added that Rothwell has also written for Saturday Night Live. She can also be seen in recent movies Sonic The Hedgehog and  Wonder Woman 1984.

• News

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

May 4, 2021

Black Police Officer Fired for Giving Information to BLM Protestors Sues Department

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The former Black police officer who was fired for allegedly sharing private information with Black Lives Matter protestors has filed a lawsuit denying the claims.

Jervis Middleton was fired from the Lexington Police Department in February after being accused of sharing private information about some of his fellow officers. However, in a lawsuit filed last month, Middleton says he was terminated due to a culture of racial discrimination that plagues the department, WKYT reports.

“I’ve always said that this is bigger than me,” Middleton told Atlanta Black Star. “I have my issue that I need to be made whole from. But there’s systemic changes that just have to be made, and it’s been there.”

The lawsuit was filed in Lexington, Kentucky, on Friday, April 23. In March, Middleton filed a separate lawsuit appealing his termination. The former officer claims the department repeatedly referred to him as the “token” officer and pet of the police chief.

Middleton was hired to the force in 2007 and rose up the ranks to become a sergeant. He held that position until 2019 when he was demoted back down to patrol officer. Middleton claims his demotion was caused by forces within the department who worked to prevent him from climbing up the ladder.

“When I started in the police agency, my goal was to help make some changes by moving up,” Middleton said. “It’s always harder for black males and females to move up in policing. So you’ve got to be 10 times the best at everything and be sharp. So I did that, started moving up the chain, and animosity came. People started anointing me as the next chief and getting attitudes. So when they had a chance to pounce on me, they did it. And I never really got a chance to even explain to them anything until they had already made up their minds.”

Middleton’s 77-page lawsuit calls out the Lexington Police Department and the Lexington Fayette County Urban Government, which presides over the police department.

“I didn’t grow up wanting to be a cop, it was a calling,” Middleton said. “I didn’t find that out until later in life, but it was. So to be treated the way they treated me also makes me think about how Black males get treated when police have their mind set on accusing someone or charging them. Regardless of what the evidence comes out, they still do it. So if they’re doing it to me, some of these complaints that we hear on the street, they’re definitely doing them.”

• Entrepreneurship

by Andrea Blackstone

May 4, 2021

Young CEO Lands Walmart Deal, Becomes Youngest Black-Owned Brand in Store History

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Anything is possible in business, even at the age of six. Just ask Lily Adeleye, CEO (Cutest Executive Officer) of Lily Frilly. According to a statement, the little girl from Florida landed a sizable deal to sell new and exclusive hair bow designs–including the Gold & Glitter Hair Bow, Galaxy Girl Hair Bow, Safari Party Hair Bow and the Candy Rush Hair Bow—with Walmart. The item launch will be in 1,102 Walmart stores and on Walmart.com this month.

“Lily Frilly started out as a brand my daughter Lily and myself created, as I have always believed it’s important to let your children follow their passions, whether that be art, sports or in this case, growing a business,” Adeleye’s mother, Courtney, said in a statement. “Now, Lily Frilly has become so much more than just that–it’s become a brand children love, as well as a symbol of inspiration and confidence for young girls as well as for the Black community. It’s amazing to see what kids can do, and we’re so glad Walmart is providing this platform to give Lily Frilly the room and attention it warrants.”

According to Lily Frilly’s website, Lily likes all things girly and frilly. The “princess” loves to be the captain of the ship. Learning about investments and watching Saturday morning cartoons with her older brother and sister are things she also likes to do, in addition to learning about investments with her parents.

MSN reported that Lily is the youngest daughter of Courtney Adeleye, founder and CEO of The Mane Choice. Courtney, a registered nurse, and her husband, a medical doctor, teamed up to make products which are good for the hair and body. It is no wonder that with her parents’ direction, Lily continues to shine as a kidpreneur. In 2019, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported about Lily Frilly’s distribution deal with Target.

• News

by Andrea Blackstone

May 4, 2021

Couple Fostered Nearly 100 Daughters, Serves as Example During National Foster Care Month

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The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that a retired couple from Ohio provided foster care for about 100 girls over nearly three decades. Ann and Al Hill  made room for all of them through their dedicated journey as foster parents.

“At 79, he has trouble walking. Ann is 78. Until last year, they were still fostering,” the newspaper also reported. Al worked as a bus driver and manager for 37 years. He previously served in Vietnam. Ann was described as stern, but she was someone the girls could always call.

“We were a team,” Ann told reporter Keith BieryGolick, referring to how she and her husband were able to help so many girls. “That’s how we did it.”

The Child Welfare Information Gateway reminds us that May is National Foster Care Month. The Information Gateway connects child welfare professionals to relevant and timely information and resources in order to positively impact the lives of youth, children, and families.

“Each May, we take time to acknowledge foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections,” The Information Gateway said on its website. “We use this time to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for the more than 423,000 children and youth in foster care and celebrate those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.”

Though the Hills mostly fostered teenage girls, the couple does not feel that opening their home up after their biological daughters went off to college was anything special. However, without people who provide positive experiences like the Hills did, countless youth would not have a positive reference point within a family crisis situation.

Ohio-based Beech Acres Parenting Center said that “on any given day in Hamilton County, more than 1,000 children are in foster care, so foster parents serve as a critical community resource.”

What does a skateboarder truly look like? In an interview with Bloomberg, Latosha Stone shared that most people would visualize a white guy with long hair. Stone loves to skateboard, and she is the owner of a skate brand called Proper Gnar, which is the first Black woman-owned skateboarding company. While integrating her creative vision, Stone sells skateboards, hats, and accessories through her company, and Black women are often featured in her art. Stone even sells the boards in China now, according to Bloomberg.

“My passion for skateboarding started when I was really young. I’d seen all of the neighborhood kids doing it and I wanted to try it as well.“ Stone said in the Bloomberg interview.

Stone told Bloomberg that she wants to get more women and minorities to try skateboarding. Stone’s love of the sport is spreading. However, a helpful promotional boost helped Proper Gnar achieve a high level of recognition.

In 2020, BlackBusiness.com reported that Proper Gnar was founded in 2013, and experienced ‘a precipitous rise in popularity and product orders,’ after Beyoncé Knowles featured the company in her online Black Parade Directory of Black Owned Businesses.  BlackBusiness.com also mentioned that Stone’s skateboards were featured on HBO’s TV show about skater girls called Betty.

Stone’s bold move to do something nonconformist highlights that entrepreneurship can be uncovered in nontraditional sectors. Lack of representation does not necessarily indicate that an idea does not have potential.

The Proper Gnar’s website states that Stone is an artist who creates hand-drawn designs and bold statement pieces. Additionally, Stone is giving other artists a chance to shine through collaboration. A Yahoo! finance LIVE  interview revealed that Stone is from a small town in Ohio. Nevertheless, she said that she feels that little Black girls should be able to pursue whatever interests that they are into, including skateboarding.

“Don’t let people discourage you, just go for it,” Stone said, during the Yahoo! finance LIVE interview.

It seems like Stone is taking her own advice.

• Entrepreneurship

by Andrea Blackstone

May 4, 2021

Outpost Natural Foods in Wisconsin Sells a Growing Number of Black-Owned Products

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When an entrepreneur’s product can be purchased from a brick and mortar store, increased brand recognition is often an accomplishment that leads to more open doors and a manifestation of hard work. This is why Outpost Natural Foods’s effort to be inclusive in its product offerings is particularly significant for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) business owners.

According to WUWM, the Wisconsin-based co-operative recognized that COVID-19 exposed many disparities in non-White ethnic groups. Additionally, racial justice issues has been on the company’s radar. These factors led Outpost Natural Foods to take inclusive steps to feature more minority-owned businesses as vendors.

Outpost Natural Food’s director of community relations, Margaret Mittelstadt, said the co-operative is always considering whether it’s being representative of the communities they serve. Outpost’s website explains that the cooperative boasts 23,000 owners. Made-from-scratch foods and hard-to-find items are sold at its locations. Outpost Natural Food’s Facebook page states that the community-owned grocery co-op in the Milwaukee area includes four stores.

In the WUWM  interview, Mittelstadt also said that Outpost Natural Foods is committed to being a model for change in the community. According to her, the premise of operating as a business of inclusiveness in their community was something that the co-op wanted to do.

WUWM shared that business owner Shaquita Mann is excited about selling her eco-Blossom Candle Company creations there. TrueMan McGee’s Funky Fresh Spring Rolls are sold there, too.

During an interview with Carvd N Stone, McGee underscored the significance of having a true opportunity to partner with stores like Outpost Natural Foods, where nearly 40 BIPOC small businesses are represented.

“It’s always been a goal of mine to get our products on Outpost shelves since day one,” McGee said. “It’s been a challenge to keep up with product [but] I feel a bit of relief that I’ve made it to this next level in life.”