NAACP President: Postmaster General Louis DeJoy Is Lying
NAACP President Derrick Johnson said Postmaster General Louis DeJoy is lying when he called his restructuring of postal services a measure to improve operational efficiency.
“It goes beyond being disingenuous,” Johnson told The Hill Thursday. “When you take sorting machines out of the post office, that were expressly put in to be rapid sorters to ensure mail is timely, and the rationale is making it quicker, that is lying.”
Johnson believes the changes, outlined in an NAACP lawsuit filed Thursday against the United States Postal Service (USPS) and DeJoy, are a method of voter suppression.
“It is not only seeking to undermine elections and subvert democracy, it is putting people’s lives at risk,” Johnson added.
In their lawsuit, the NAACP alleges the USPS and DeJoy did not follow proper legal procedures when implementing changes to the agency, making the changes illegal. A spokesperson for the USPS referred The Hill to a statement by DeJoy Monday, where he said the service “is ready today to handle whatever volume of election mail it receives this fall.”
DeJoy also announced Tuesday he will back down from making more changes at the agency until after the election, but according to Johnson, the damage has already been done.
“That’s fine, but the changes already made have created harm, so we’re addressing the harm created,” Johnson said.
Johnson told The Hill the situation is twofold: People who depend on the mail for essential items like medicine could suffer from postal delays, and electorally, confidence in the security of voting by mail has been undermined.
“When you cut the hours and ability for overtime for post workers leading into a high-volume season for the election [and] the end result will be mail not delivered in a timely manner, you are seeking to undermine our election,” said Johnson
Johnson also added that voters of color and low-income voters, who are less likely to participate in elections, are more likely to be disenfranchised by actions that undermine trust in voting methods.
“If we truly respected and honored this democracy, we would stop using the process of voting — the administration of voting— as a polarized and racialized system. We must open up access to voting. Voters should not have to choose between their health and their right to vote and administration of voting should not be tempered by a desired outcome,” said Johnson.
White Wisconsin Police Officers Shoot Unarmed Black Man Seven Times in Front of His Children
Video footage shows an unarmed Black man being shot in the back multiple times by white police officers in front of his children as he entered his vehicle in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, according to Revolt.
The man, who was identified as Jacob Blake, was taken to the hospital where he is listed in serious condition. Early Monday, family members posted that Blake was in a stable condition at the ICU in Froedtert Hospital, Milwaukee.
The incident, which took place Sunday afternoon, is the latest in the seemingly widespread number of incidents of police officers shooting unarmed Black people while being filmed on mobile phones.
Wow. This Black man was shot several times in the back by @KenoshaPolice today. He was getting into his car after apparently breaking up a fight between two women. He’s in critical condition now. We demand JUSTICE! #BlackLivesMatterpic.twitter.com/I1reDEp4nw
Confirmed: Jacob Blake’s 3 SONS were IN THE CAR he was getting into when @KenoshaPolice shot him tonight. They saw a cop shoot their father. They will be traumatized forever. We cannot let officers violate their duty to PROTECT us. Our kids deserve better!! #JusticeForJacobBlake
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers released a statement via Twitter on the shooting:
Tonight, Jacob Blake was shot in the back multiple times, in broad daylight, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kathy and I join his family, friends, and neighbors in hoping earnestly that he will not succumb to his injuries.
While we do not have all of the details yet, what we know for certain is that he is not the first Black man or person to have been shot or injured or mercilessly killed at the hands of individuals in law enforcement in our state or our country.
We stand with all those who have and continue to demand justice, equity, and accountability for Black lives in our country—lives like those of George Floyd, of Breonna Taylor, Tony Robinson, Dontre Hamilton, Ernest Lacy, and Sylville Smith.
I have said all along that although we must offer our empathy, equally important is our action. In the coming days, we will demand just that of elected officials in our state who have failed to recognize the racism in our state and our country for far too long.
Meghan Markle Steps Out in a Face Mask From a Black-Owned Brand
Meghan Markle has only been back in the U.S. for a few months. But the former royal has already been vocal about her stance on Black Lives Matter, and now she’s showing her support for Black-owned businesses as well.
Last week, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex volunteered at a drive-through distribution event at an elementary school in Los Angeles, where they handed out school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, and food to disadvantaged families.
According to Harper’s Bazaar, Markle, who has a history of “championing small brands and bringing under-the-radar names into the global spotlight,” topped off her look with a face mask from a Black-owned, woman-owned brand.
The $15 blue seersucker face mask was handcrafted in New York City by Royal Jelly Harlem, an African-inspired clothing and home decorating line founded in February 2011 by mother-daughter duo Teta and Maya Gorgoni.
According to the company website, the brand contributes to the “growth and prosperity of Africa’s beautiful cultures by purchasing many of our materials from African vendors.” In addition, “many of our manufacturers are African-born dressmakers and tailors who produce our products in the USA.”
The event was hosted by Baby2Baby, which “provides children living in poverty, ages 0-12 years, with diapers, clothing and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.”
The organization boasts a number of celebrity ambassadors, including board members Kelly Rowland, Nicole Richie, and Jessica Alba. It distributed more than 30 million essentials to families affected by COVID-19.
This 11-Year Old Has Helped 20,000 Homeless People By Giving Them “Blessing Bags”
Jahkil Jackson, an 11-year old boy from Chicago, has already helped over 20,000 homeless people in his city by giving away ‘Blessing Bags’ through his organization Project I Am. At the young age of 8, he started helping people through small ways and he is up for bigger goals as he grows older.
“Seeing people on the street made me really sad because I thought everybody had homes,” Jackson told Today.
Jackson was 5-years old when he first saw a homeless person. Since then, he asked his mother if they could buy houses for all homeless people. While it seemed to be a far-fetched idea for a young child, he made efforts to help them through the organization called Project I Am that he established when he was 8-years old.
Through the organization, he gave toiletries, food, and water stuffed in what he called ‘Blessing Bags’ to homeless people in Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Virginia, and Idaho. His efforts are not limited nationally. He has also helped people internationally, including those orphans in Mbabane, Swaziland, volcano victims in Guatemala, and hurricane survivors in Florida, Houston, and Puerto Rico.
“When I’m giving the bags to people it makes me feel like I’m getting one step closer to demolishing the whole homeless thing… and it makes me happy to see the smiles on their faces,” Jackson said.
Jackson, who was named a Youth Ambassador for one of the world’s leading anti-poverty organizations Heartland Alliance International in 2016, has also been acknowledged by former President Barack Obama as one of the three most influential people of 2017.
“To know that someone like him knows my name, and supports what I do encourages me to keep moving forward every day,” he said in an interview with Forbes.
Basketball superstar LeBron James has also recognized him and helped promote Project I Am. Jackson, who loves basketball as a fan and a player, dreams of having his own NBA team one day.
Moreover, Jackson continues to help more less-fortunate people in any way he possibly can.
“There’s way more homeless people in the world that I could help, that I need to help.”
This article was originally published by BlackNews.com.
Black-Owned Family-Style Restaurant in Alabama Has No Prices and Feeds Anyone Who Is Hungry
The founders of Drexell & Honeybee’s, a Black-owned family-style restaurant in Brewton, Alabama, are gaining national attention because they serve meals with no prices. The donation-only restaurant does not use cash registers and also feeds everyone – including those who don’t have anything to pay.
Every lunchtime from Tuesday to Thursday, husband and wife team, Freddie and Lisa Thomas-McMillan, are busy serving hungry people with soul food and Southern dishes from their daily-changing menu such as fried chicken, cornbread, and collard greens.
Everyone who comes to the restaurant doesn’t have to worry about the payment because they can leave a handful of coins, a generous donation, or even just a thank-you note. The owners then use 100% of the donations for the operational costs of feeding the hungry so they don’t really profit from it.
Still, the McMillans continue serving people from all walks of life in exchange of the joy that they get from all of it. They say there’s real joy whenever people leave their restaurant “with a full stomach, a full heart, and the understanding that you are loved and worthy of love.”
For more information about Drexell & Honeybee’s and/or to donate online, visit DrexellAndHoneybees.com
Urban Specialists To Present Conversation On Police Reform In Atlanta
Some high-profile Black celebrities, athletes and activists will be among attendees at a conversation on advancing police reform in metro Atlanta.
Based on a news release, The Heal America Tour: A Course Correction Conversation on Race, Citizenship & Humanity will occur August 26 at House of Hope in Decatur, Georgia. The event is being presented by Urban Specialists in partnership with Stand Together.
The conversation will be moderated by Bishop Omar Jahwar, CEO and founder of Urban Specialists, a nonprofit group focused on ending senseless violence and reviving urban culture. The talk comes as the nation is facing a critical moment regarding policing and race relations.
“The Atlanta community is in need of healing and solutions following the tragic acts of police violence in Georgia, Minneapolis, and Louisville. All sides must rally together around a defined call to action that examines racial injustices across our society and elevates viable solutions to improve police interactions in communities and beyond. We must stand united and seek justice, equality, and fruitful productivity from each one to another,” Jahwar stated in the release.
“Although we’ve come a long way, this great country is waiting and ready for continued change after centuries of injustice and brokenness for the marginalized. The Heal America Tour vows to be there every step of the way with real solutions that restore hope.”
Heal America has conducted events in Dallas and Minneapolis, drawing thousands tuning in. Now heading to Atlanta, the group aims to elevate solutions through live, on-stage conversations about police reform among victims of police violence, business leadership, law enforcement, public figures, and lawmakers.
Panelists are expected to include: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms (Invited); T.I. Harris, Artist and Entrepreneur, Grand Hustle; Alice Marie Johnson, Author & Criminal Justice Reform Advocate; Deion Sanders, NFL Hall of Famer and Entrepreneur; Titus O’Neil, WWE Superstar; along with activists, police shooting survivors, and others.
Organizers hope some solutions or policies on police reform that surface from the livestream event help:
Transform police culture to prioritize transparency and accountability with the public
Remove structural barriers to good policing by changing bad incentives
Eliminate unnecessary criminalization so that law enforcement can focus resources on preventing and solving serious crime, rather than having to address societal problems they are not best suited for.
Evan Feinberg, senior vice president of Stand Together, publicly stated, “The recent tragic killings in Minnesota and Georgia bring home the importance of the work needed to address the injustices holding people back. Too many policies that disproportionately harm minority communities serve as unnecessary barriers. The Heal America event is about bringing a diverse group of people together to bridge divides and drive change on meaningful solutions to eliminate injustice by transforming policing policy. At the heart of this work is a commitment to equal rights and a belief in the inherent dignity of every person. Stand Together is proud to partner with Urban Specialists to elevate these solutions and drive change together.”
Register here for the livestream. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing, the event will only allow 50 individuals in person. The event is free and open to those who have registered and want to view online.
Meet the Founders of Black-Owned Electric Scooter Sharing Company Verve Scooters
The coronavirus pandemic has affected each one of us in ways that were not imaginable not even a year ago. Luckily, for some, the pandemic has provided opportunities to utilize technology to gain a distinct advantage. With current social distancing protocols in place, Verve Scooters offers transportation that’s both efficient and allows for social distancing.
Verve Scooters, which offers dockless electronic scooters, was created to help reduce traffic congestion and offer a more environmentally friendly method of transportation for its users.
The company is run by Kevin Thompson, CEO; Naim Statham, COO; and music executive Tykeem “Tak” Williams, co-founder. Former NBA champion Rasheed Wallace is an investor in the company. Verve Scooters is one of few Black-owned scooter companies in the United States and presently, the only Black-owned scooter company targeting inner cities to create pathways of success for people outside of suburban areas.
BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke to the founders of the company to discuss their recent venture and plans for Verve Scooters.
How did the Verve Scooters venture come to fruition and how has the business been since the coronavirus pandemic took over the country?
Verve Scooters came to fruition because we saw a need for an effective eco-friendly way of transportation for our community that was also affordable. With the safety risks of the coronavirus pandemic rapidly impacting every community, it gave Verve the continued motivation in furthering our efforts to gather the community and cultivate more job opportunities for the previously incarcerated and inner-city youth.
As entrepreneurs, what was the path that led the two of you to become partners in this venture and how does your previous background help you?
We have always been interested in ways that would help support the families in our community. We see the need to put the strength and confidence back into the inner-city families. It was a no-brainer for us to partner with somebody who has so much experience in the music industry and also has aligned aspirations for our community. They only show the negativity in hip-hop, but they don’t show how this is a huge community. Also, it has many benefits, with one being a way to reach the youth.
What would you say would be the most important factor that will drive the success of Verve Scooters?
One of the driving forces for us to be successful business owners is the weight of being the first Black-owned mobile tech company. We have a passion for making change for the environment, which is why we take pride in being eco-friendly. We also want to help Black communities thrive, which is why we hire previously incarcerated people and people in our neighborhoods to provide alternative solutions for them. Verve Scooters is also COVID-friendly with a single person use.
If someone were to come to you for suggestions on how to be a successful business owner, what advice would you give that person?
The best advice we can give is that success is not a competition, it’s a journey. It’s important to do more than just make things a hustle. It’s essential to find your niche because nothing can exist without thought. You have to understand the industry and where it is in the current climate we live in, whether industries are oversaturated, and what demographics the industry serves. That also includes whether or not you may have to relocate to successfully develop this industry. We would also say to not be afraid to be the trailblazer into a new industry and to make sure to look for sustainability and build the infrastructure for generational wealth.
With Verve Scooters approaching the anniversary of its launch, what is in the future for the company, and are there any plans to branch off to other companies or ventures?
We plan to start an investment group for young minorities and returning citizens to get into the tech industry and become entrepreneurs. We hopefully plan for the future to be in Tyler Perry Studios, among many other communities. We also want to provide transportation and help provide infrastructure in underdeveloped countries in Africa.
Looking for an Alternative to Stocks? Here Are the Benefits of Investing in Multifamily Real Estate
In the midst of a pandemic and record unemployment, stocks are reaching a new all-time high. Understandably, many investors are concerned about a bubble and seeking stock alternatives. Real estate is a popular option, in particular, multifamily apartments. Multifamily is seen as recession resilient, evidenced by the high rent collection rates during the pandemic.
Source: National Multifamily Housing Council
Apartments can be bought by large institutional investors, but more and more everyday professionals are buying apartments or investing through private investing groups. Multifamily intrigues investors because it’s a real, tangible asset. In addition, it provides various benefits to round out investing portfolios for stock and rental investors.
Here are some of the top reasons to consider multifamily investing:
Rising Apartment Demand
The demand for rentals continues to increase. According to RentCafé, 34% of America’s general population are renters. And since 2010, the number of renters has increased two times faster than the number of homeowners, climbing by 9.1% and 4.3%, respectively. Many rent by choice to have greater flexibility in an uncertain environment. These renters want their apartments to feel like home, without the weight of a mortgage to limit their options.
Developers have responded by building the largest number of new apartments since the 1980s, but as much of 80% of the rentals are high-end luxury units. The vast majority of renters can not afford to rent these luxury units, creating an opportunity for more affordable apartments that reflect the designs tastes of today’s renter.
Strong Returns on Multifamily
Cash flow and appreciation make a dynamic duo for multifamily returns. Cash flow is driven primarily by rental income, but also includes other income such as pet fees, late fees, utility fees, laundry, and parking. Investors can increase cash flow by improving the property or adding new revenue streams. In addition, they can lower expenses through smart upgrades and renegotiating contracts and services.
Appreciation is the increase in value over time. Appreciation is driven by inflation, surrounding developments, or renovations to a property. Renovations force appreciation; this is common with flip projects, where someone remodels an outdated property to increase the value. Investors can do the same thing with apartments with greater scale, efficiency, and impact than renovating a single house.
Apartment Valuations
Unlike residential properties, which are valued on what your neighbor fetched for his house, commercial real estate is valued as a business. The two metrics that determine value are net operating income (NOI) and cap rate. NOI measures profitability, while cap rate is the expected rate of return based on demand for an area.
NOI/Cap Rate = Value
When apartment investors increase the NOI, they are also increasing the overall value of the property.
As an example, let’s say a property has a net operating income of $100,000 and a cap rate of 6.5%.
NOI/Cap Rate = Value
$100,000/6.5% = Value
The value is $1,538,431.
If an investor is able to add an additional $15,000 of income, it would boost the NOI to $115,000. While that may not seem significant, the real kicker is what it does to the valuation.
NOI/Cap Rate = Value
$115,000/6.5% = Value
The value is $1,769,231.
At a 6.5% cap rate, the initial value was $1,538,461. With the $15,000 increase to the NOI, the new value becomes $1,769,231. That $15K increase in the NOI added over $230,000 in value to the property!
The strategy of buying multifamily properties to increase the value creates wealth-building opportunities, but protecting this newfound equity is where this asset really shines as a stock alternative.
Unrivaled Tax Benefits
Many wealthy people invest in commercial real estate as a stock alternative for tax advantages. Houses and buildings can be depreciated over time. Commercial buildings are also depreciated but have the option to use an accelerated schedule that can create a significant paper loss. These paper losses can be used against any profits from the actual rental income and can also offset other qualifying passive income gains in an investor’s portfolio. Savvy investors use this strategy to reduce or eliminate their tax liability.
Capital gains taxes can eat up a significant portion of profits on any investment. However, with multifamily, you have two options to lock in gains without triggering capital gains taxes. The first is to refinance the property and pull out some of the new equity. This is a tax-free event. The second is to do a 1031 exchange, which allows investors to defer the capital gains indefinitely and roll the equity into the acquisition of a new property.
A note on taxes: Some may criticize these tax benefits, but the government recognizes that it is awful at providing housing, so these incentives encourage private companies and investors to create, provide, and sustain housing. Real estate investors help drive the economy by hiring vendors, employees, buying materials, and providing Americans with a basic necessity. These tax breaks are incentives to encourage that contribution.
Portfolio Diversification
Many financial advisers state that professionals should create a diversified portfolio with at least a small portion of their holdings in real estate. Multifamily helps investors diversify their portfolio and spreads the risk across multiple units. When factoring in future demand, cash flow, appreciation, value-add opportunities, and tax benefits, it’s easy to see why multifamily is a popular alternative investment.
Multifamily has served as a wealth driver for generations. These assets can be a hedge against a looming downturn. If you are seeking alternatives to the stock market, it would be prudent to consider multifamily investing.
Hollywood Makeup Artist Gives Back to Community Through Nonprofit Triumphant Transitions
Triumphant Transitions Inc. was was founded by Gary, Indiana, native and Ball State University graduate LaTrice L. Edwards. It is a true revelation of purpose for the celebrity makeup artist and entrepreneur.
The impact of the organization’s service has resulted in client testimonials of increased self-esteem, job readiness, and improved relationships. Triumphant Transitions has also partnered in various community service efforts including: back to school rallies, spa days for Hurricane Katrina survivors, and wig drive sponsorships supporting the American Cancer Society.
It has served several hundred clients directly and indirectly, with grassroots efforts for 15 years. Clients have experienced its unique community and empowerment services in Gary-Northwest and Indianapolis, as well as Chicago. Triumphant Transitions has also supported African missions in Abuja, Nigeria, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
What made you start your nonprofit?
Triumphant Transitions Inc. is actually a God-given idea I wrote on a Post-it note one night 16 years ago. So it started from obedience to answer the call to serve my community. I want to encourage and empower those in need by putting God’s love in action through serving.
Why is it so important for you to give back?
I am really doing what I grew up watching my parents do. I always saw my parents serving in ministry, teaching, giving back to the community, helping our family and people in need. So, I guess you can say it’s in my blood, it’s in my DNA to serve and it’s important to keep their legacy going. I also base the importance of serving on one of my favorite quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which states, “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
This quote is 1,000% true! It really doesn’t take much to serve. You can do it by volunteering, donating to a good cause, getting groceries or running errands for the elderly during this pandemic. When it comes to serving, a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love really are the best tools to start with.
What are some of the highlights of your organization in the last 15 years that you want people to know about?
Wow, there are so many wonderful memories through the years, from pampering women overcoming domestic violence, to empowerment workshops to aid those recovering from substance abuse, to being a triage organization during Hurricane Katrina in Illinois and Indiana, plus our community health events. As well as merging my career in film/TV with my youth empowerment program to supporting African missions and seeing girls in Tanzania in my empowerment shirts. However, I think my most favorite highlight is when a woman, who was a part of my very first program in February 14, 2005 and a client of the women’s shelter we served, noticed my mother and I at an event. I will never forget her excitement when she saw us. She reminded me of who she was and that she had been through my program a few years prior. After sharing her triumphant progress with us, she then hugged my mother and thanked her for having me. She said it was because of my mother that I am here to help women like her.
What are you doing to stay afloat during COVID-19?
I am actually doing what I always do … serve. Triumphant Transitions Inc. has operated on a volunteer/donation base over the last 15 years. Donations solely support our mission and projects, so COVID-19 really has not had a negative impact on the organization. If anything, it’s revealed and motivated me to address greater needs in the community and to expand my service projects beyond the Midwest region. In April, I started a COVID-19 relief initiative by feeding ER, maintenance, and security staff that worked the night shift in the Gary/Northwest Indiana region. In May, I did a community giveaway where we gave out diapers, wipes, masks, and sanitation products. It was during this event God revealed a greater need to me. The diaper giveaway was totally a “God idea.” I didn’t realize how scare diapers were in my community during this time. The residents were so appreciative. We will have our next diaper giveaway Aug 29. This time we are including household goods as well as partnering with other organizations. I will do more as God leads me to do them.
Dr. Jessica Mosley is a serial entrepreneur who loves teaching fellow CEO women how to show up in their truth and power. As steward owner of MizCEO Entrepreneurial Media Brand, Sovereign Care Home Care, Sovereign Care Medical Training Center, and Deborah’s Place for Battered Women, Jessica is busy making moves that impact her community and those connected to her.
The Colorful Glassware Blowing Up Instagram Was Inspired by Sunday Dinners at Big Mama’s House
Stephanie Summerson Hall has amazing memories of her childhood in Charleston, South Carolina, and especially of Sunday dinners at her Big Mama’s house—the table set with colorful glassware her grandmother had found in local antique shops.
Hall grew up to become a lawyer and a serial entrepreneur. She spent 10 years as a business and corporate tax lawyer in Washington, D.C., and started two different wedding rentals company, according to Domino magazine.
But eventually she came back to her roots, moving back home and rekindling her love of the colorful glassware from her youth. In fact, the idea to make and sell it came to her after not being able to find what she wanted to fill her own collection.
“I wanted to have some pieces of colored glass in my house, because they were pieces that I loved, and I wanted them to fit with my aesthetic,” Hall told Architectural Digest. “I was really disappointed that what I could find in terms of colored glass was on the secondary vintage market.”
Hall put five years of research and design into her colorful glassware, searching for glassmakers, hiring an industrial designer, formulating colors, and studying samples, before launching in October 2019.
“Estelle Colored Glass is inspired by my grandmother, Estelle, who loved antiquing and had a special day of the week where she visited her favorite shops looking for new treasures in small neighboring South Carolina towns,” Hall writes on the company’s website.
“During the summer months, I had the pleasure of coming along on many of these treasure hunts. My favorite collection that she was always adding to was her colored glass collection. This marked the start of my love for colored glass.”
“My grandmother often used her colored glass pieces at Sunday dinners. Her signature dessert was a from-scratch decadent vanilla pound cake often beautifully displayed on a colored glass cake stand and served with a side of strawberry jello topped with whipped cream,” Hall continues.
She added that she hopes her glassware helps create special memories for her customers, “just like the memories I have of time spent with my grandmother, Estelle, affectionately also known as ‘Big Mama.'”
The luxury glassware is hand-blown by artisans in Poland at a company that’s been around more than 100 years. The brand currently offers wineglasses, stemless wine glasses, rocks glasses, champagne coupes, decanters, and cake stands in a range of soft pastels and jewel tones.
“It’s really gratifying to know that you’ve created something truly out of passion,” Hall told Domino. “It’s not a necessity, but it’s something that’s going to bring another person happiness. I wanted the pieces to be memorable and have personality—and hopefully become heirlooms.”
