Michelle Obama Says Donald Trump Is The ‘Wrong President For This Country’ In DNC Speech
by Dana Givens

August 18, 2020

Michelle Obama Says Donald Trump Is The ‘Wrong President For This Country’ In DNC Speech

The 2020 Democratic National Convention kicked off Monday night with former first lady Michelle Obama presenting as the keynote speaker for the virtual event. In her passionate speech, she stressed the importance of voting and her support for Joe Biden. However, she also had some harsh words for President Donald Trump and his administration.

“So, let me be as honest and clear as I possibly can. Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country,” she says in the video. “He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head. He cannot meet this moment. He simply cannot be who we need him to be for us. It is what it is.”

Obama also addressed the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Black Lives Matter protests, noting how the Trump administration has failed the American people in both situations.

“Now, I understand that my message won’t be heard by some people. We live in a nation that is deeply divided, and I am a Black woman speaking at the Democratic Convention,” she continued. “But enough of you know me by now. You know that I tell you exactly what I’m feeling. You know I hate politics. But you also know that I care about this nation. You know how much I care about all of our children.”

President Trump responded to Michelle Obama’s comments on Twitter refuting her claims, stating that his administration has helped the American people.

“My Administration and I built the greatest economy in history, of any country, turned it off, saved millions of lives, and now am building an even greater economy than it was before,” he wrote. “Jobs are flowing, NASDAQ is already at a record high, the rest to follow. Sit back & watch!”

 

Watch Michelle Obama’s full speech at the DNC below.

by Dana Givens

August 18, 2020

Tennis Star Naomi Osaka Becomes Creative Consultant And Investor In Premium Sake Brand

Naomi Osaka stunned the world in 2018 when she defeated champion Serena Williams in the U.S. Open Finals. The victory turned Osaka, at the tender age of 20, into one of the most prominent faces in tennis.

Since her victory, the half-Haitian, half-Japanese 22-year-old has become the number one ranked player in the world by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and officially represents Japan in the U.S. Olympics games.

This week, Osaka added investor to her long list of titles, thanks to a new business deal with premium sake brand Soto. The two-time Grand Slam winner is now an investor and a creative consultant tasked with overseeing the brand known for its authentic taste and high-end quality.

“As a native of Japan, I am proud to be involved with a product that is authentically Japanese,” said Osaka in a press statement. “SOTO’s status as a made-in-Japan, traditional ‘Japanese sake’ is another major reason I’m supporting the brand.

“Naomi’s elegant, serene demeanor and philosophical outlook on her life and young career are big reasons we wanted her to be involved with SOTO,” said company co-founder Billy Melnyk in a press statement. “Appreciating true Japanese sake is a transportive and enlightening experience, and we wanted our first publicly celebrated investor to embody that.”

“We’re sharing the traditions of Japan through SOTO Sake’s modernized form, introducing the drinking experience of sake to more people, and contributing to the category’s increased popularity.”

Black Lives Matter is Changing Corporate America’s Approach to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality
by Derek Major

August 18, 2020

Black Lives Matter is Changing Corporate America’s Approach to Diversity, Inclusion, and Equality

Corporate America is changing its practices on diversity, equality, and inclusion policies in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to CNBC, data from the Royal Bank of Canada shows 40 percent of S&P 500 companies discussed diversity, equality, and inclusion policies during second quarter earnings calls, up from 4 percent in the first quarter, and 6 percent during the same quarter a year ago.

“Most of the comments have been made during prepared remarks, with companies highlighting their heightened, longer-term focus on diversity and inclusion and its importance to their corporate strategies,” RBC analysts led by Sara Mahaffy wrote in a note to clients Thursday.

The firm found that comments came primarily from companies in the staples, discretionary, financials, communication services, and utility sectors. Despite the study showing progress, many say the issues are only at the talking point, instead of showing action.

The deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor put a new focus on the lack of diversity in executive positions in corporate America. RBC data also show 38 percent of S&P 500 companies have since announced initiatives and action plans. The plans include internal policies such as hiring and development programs as well as external efforts, including donating to racial justice and political organizations.

Several organizations including NASCAR, the Washington Football Team, and Pinterest have hired Black Americans to executive positions this summer. The Phoenix Coyotes of the NHL hired the first Latino team president and CEO in league history in June.

Companies who are not diverse in their hiring from top to bottom are being called out, but a lack of diversity can do real damage to a company. According to the study, a lack of diversity in background and experience can stifle innovation and will lead to companies struggling to attract and retain top talent and younger workers.

Facebook felt the brunt of being called out this summer when more than 100 companies stopped posting advertisements on the social media site. The move cost Facebook $7.2 billion in a week.

New Instagram Account Exposes Pay Disparities Among Black Influencers
by Tiffany Trotter

August 18, 2020

New Instagram Account Exposes Pay Disparities Among Black Influencers

Kylie Jenner: $1.2 million per Instagram post. That’s how much Jenner, one of the highest-paid influencers, earns for posting to her 189M followers, according to scheduling tool Hopper HQ.

TikToker Addison Rae: $5 million. That’s the estimated annual income of Rae, according to Forbes.

Over the last few years, influencers have been leveraging social media to build their personal brands and finance their lifestyles.

The industry is growing rapidly as brands put more marketing dollars behind influencers who have mastered the art of content creation and audience building.

But while it’s relatively easy to find the estimated earnings of high-profile celebrity influencers, there is a lack of salary transparency and little to no data around earnings of smaller influencer accounts, which can lead to pay discrimination, especially among Black influencers.

Black Influencers Pay Gap
Image: Influencer Pay Gap

Thankfully one Instagram account is attempting to address this disparity. Influencer Pay Gap is an account where anyone can submit information regarding brand opportunities and compensation anonymously.

The account was founded by London-based Adesuwa Ajayi, senior talent and partnerships lead at AGM Talent, to explore disparities in opportunities, pay, and visibility.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CCwh4EZBkRK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Importance of Salary Transparency

The account, which has garnered more than 40,000 followers, hit home for many experiencing concerns over fair compensation. Black influencers, in particular, are often approached by brands with sub-par offers or, worse, only receive discounts or free products to promote the brand.

Through open and honest dialogue around compensation, the account sheds light on the enormous pay disparity between Black and white influencers and provides influencers with a baseline to evaluate offers from brands.

Influencers are encouraged to send a direct message sharing their experiences with brands, the compensation offered, their race, target audience, and platform they use.

Although payments for influencer brand partnerships vary across the board based on industry, niche, and target audience, Influencer Pay Gap has revealed significant discrepancies between white and Black influencers.

Salary Discrimination: An issue across the board

In the world of social media and influencer marketing, Black influencers have fared no different from their corporate counterparts.

Salary discrimination and lack of salary transparency have long been hot button topics across corporate America. According to statistics shared by LeanIn, “on average, Black women are paid 38% less than white men and 21% less than white women.”

If Black professionals and influencers don’t have accurate information about peer compensation, they may not know when they’re being underpaid.

Salary Transparency

When salaries are kept hidden, it’s also hard to form a baseline of what you should expect to be paid or the type of salary you can envision earning one day.

From my own experience when a former manager suddenly announced her resignation, I was surprised, but she later revealed to our team she got a $500,000 offer she couldn’t refuse. Although I was sad to see her go, I appreciated her transparency and willingness to share the type of salary her position could command. It opened my eyes to what’s possible.

Salaries and money have long been considered taboo topics, but openness and conversation around these topics go a long way to curbing salary discrimination in the workplace and on social media.

While we have a long way to go to eliminate pay discrimination, platforms like Influencer Pay Gap as well as candid and open conversations can help move the needle forward.

 

 

Tiffany Trotter is the founder of BraveSelfStarter, a community dedicated to helping self-starters navigate careers and personal finance. She is also a children’s book author committed to spreading gender positive messages of bravery and confidence.

Obama Condemns Trump Administration Trying To Suppress Voters Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic
by Dana Givens

August 18, 2020

Obama Condemns Trump Administration Trying To Suppress Voters Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

The Trump administration has come under heavy scrutiny as the United States Postal Service (USPS) continues to pull back on services and workers ahead of the upcoming election where mail-in ballots will play an important role in light of the current COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus pandemic keeping many in quarantine to prevent the virus from spreading. Recently, former President Barack Obama went on Twitter to express his thoughts on the acts of voter suppression and the recent operational changes administered through the USPS under the Trump administration.

Obama expressed the importance of the service of the USPS not only for voters but other marginalized groups including the elderly who rely on the mail to receive their payments. Numerous politicians have voiced concern over the new operational changes since the appointment of Louis DeJoy as the new Postmaster General who is also a major Republican donor as well as a Trump supporter.

“Everyone depends on the USPS. Seniors for their Social Security, veterans for their prescriptions, small businesses trying to keep their doors open,” the former U.S. president commented on Twitter in a series of posts about the current events. “They can’t be collateral damage for an administration more concerned with suppressing the vote than suppressing a virus.”

“The more votes in early, the less likely you’re going to see a last-minute crunch, both at polling places and in states where mail-in ballots are permitted. Then tell everyone you know,” Obama continued. If you’re in a state where you have the option to vote early, do that now.

Leader Of Young Democrats Of Maryland Found Dead In Washington D.C.
by Derek Major

August 18, 2020

Leader Of Young Democrats Of Maryland Found Dead In Washington D.C.

The president of the Young Democrats of Maryland was found dead in Washington, D.C., more than a week after he went missing in Maryland.

Prince George’s County police announced the death of Joseph Kitchen Sunday night. Kitchen, 34, had been missing since Aug. 8, when he was last seen at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis, Maryland, about 40 miles east of Washington. County police asked for help in finding Kitchen a day earlier.

“We are saddened to learn of the tragic and untimely passing of Joseph Kitchen,” the Young Democrats of America said in a Twitter post Sunday night. “Joseph always pushed YDA to live up to its values and was someone who was not satisfied with accepting the status quo. His passion will be deeply missed.”

The Maryland Democratic Party also paid its respects to Kitchen.

As president of the Young Democrats Of Maryland, Kitchen worked to register Democratic voters in the state younger than 36.

Joseph was also taught at the Washington School for Girls. Last month, he posted on social media that he was struggling being away from the school and his students.

“I’ve been struggling..” and “I’m not ok…,” Kitchen wrote on social media, according to CBS 13 in Baltimore.

The school also posted the news of Kitchen’s death, saying many at the school are still trying to process what happened.

“It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news that our colleague, Joseph Kitchen has been found deceased,” the school said on its Facebook page. “As an integral part of the WSG community for so many years, our hearts are heavy; we can’t even fully process this loss at the moment.”

Several Maryland politicians also had kind words for Kitchen, who was always willing to march and support Democrats in the state.

“Every battle that was in front of me, it was Joseph who was on my side,” Sen. Cory McCray, a Democratic senator for Baltimore City, told CBS 13.

“He rolled up his sleeves and he worked,” Montgomery County State Delegate Jheanelle Wilkons added.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington confirmed the department is leading the investigation into Kitchen’s death.

CPA Firm Suggests Waiting Until 2021 To Apply For PPP Loan Forgiveness
by Derek Major

August 18, 2020

CPA Firm Suggests Waiting Until 2021 To Apply For PPP Loan Forgiveness

Galleros Robinson, a Certified Public Accounting and Business Advisory Services firm with offices in Florida, Texas, and New York, has released a business update suggesting small business owners wait until next year to apply for PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) loan forgiveness.

“We believe that most borrowers would be wise to take their time with the forgiveness process,” Stewart Robinson, a partner at the firm said in a release. “Many banks and lenders are holding off on processing forgiveness applications because they are waiting to see what will happen in Congress, and hoping for more guidance from the Small Business Administration.”

cpa ppp
Galleros Robinson CPA (Image: GallerosRobinson.com)

CNBC reported Friday that many small businesses that applied for a PPP loan and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance–which offered $1,000 in grant money for each employee, up to $10,000–will have a reduction in the amount forgiven from their PPP loan.

Robinson also believes the government will make changes to their policies making easier for small business owners to fill out forms and show where the money was spent.

“We believe that Congress will save many small business owners from the headache of having to fill out lengthy forms,” Robinson said. “Currently, the HEALS Act, if passed by Congress, would allow borrowers with loans less than $2 million to apply for forgiveness without having to submit paperwork showing how the money was spent. Borrowers would simply be required to “certify” they spent the PPP funds on expenses deemed eligible under the program.”

The firm is also concerned about the Internal Revenue Service ruling expenses paid with forgiven PPP loans will not be tax deductible. According to the firm, Congress specifically stated the proceeds of the PPP loans, if forgiven, would be exempt from taxation.

“Such an exemption is pointless if related expenses cannot be deducted,” Robinson said in the release. “It might as well have been taxable with related expenses being deductible.”

The PPP was implemented to help small businesses pay employees and deal with expenses during the coronavirus pandemic. The program had issues in its rollout concerning who was taking money from the program and that women-led and minority businesses were unable to apply for and receive funds.

Jasmine Bowers is the First Black Person to Obtain a Doctorate in Computer Science From the University of Florida
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 18, 2020

Jasmine Bowers is the First Black Person to Obtain a Doctorate in Computer Science From the University of Florida

Despite a pandemic, another historic moment has been made in education.

Last month, Jasmine Bowers became the first Black person to earn a doctorate in computer science from the University of Florida, according to Because of Them We Can.

Bowers shared the news via her Twitter account.

Bowers was involved in the computer science doctoral program, which was created in the last decade. The program has the highest number of Black women faculty among computer science departments.

She credited her success to her mother.

“The seed of motivation was planted at a young age when my mother taught me how to use Excel to record my ‘wish list.’ I grew up in a household where I was encouraged to embrace technology,” Bowers said. “I also had the freedom to utilize technologies that included computers and other equipment that my mother, an [self-taught] engineer, had.”

Bowers double majored in math and computer science at Fort Valley State University before attending North Carolina A&T where she received her master’s degree.


“The Ph.D. was and is the pinnacle of the seed planted years ago, deposits from teachers, internship experiences, amazing mentors, a supportive Ph.D. advisor, and the push from my mother who is and will always be behind me reminding me, ‘You can do this,'” Bowers said. “I will be moving to a new state and starting my career as an engineer where I get to put into practice all of my studies. I will continue to give back and encourage young girls to explore STEM.”

Meet The Black Chef Who Opened The First Cannabis-Infused Cafe In The Country
by Dana Givens

August 18, 2020

Meet The Black Chef Who Opened The First Cannabis-Infused Cafe In The Country

The cannabis industry generates billions of dollars in revenue each year as more and more states look to legalize it within the next year.

The new legalization of the industry has also introduced a slew of business and job opportunities for those looking to gain more experience within the field. One woman decided to use her love of cooking to create the first weed-infused cafe in Los Angeles.

Chef Andrea Drummer, a South Florida native, originally thought of her business as a farm-to-table restaurant. Later, she decided to pair meals with different weed strains.

“It was four years ago; I was executive producing a project with Spotify called, the Breaking Bread series. They would compile a group of characters to sit around a table and consume a four- to six-course [cannabis-infused] menu that I would prepare for them. I noticed that a lot of them were all industry guys, and had very high tolerance,” she explained in an interview with XONecole. 

“I wanted to find a product that aligned with the brand that I was putting forth, and provide the cannabis as well, so we found Lowell (a popular cannabis farm and brand). And it was a match made in heaven: the branding, the product, their care for the product, their attention to detail. I completely fell in love with the brand and they were excited to be able to provide products for me for my dinners.”

Drummer hopes that the visibility of the cafe can elevate other women and people of color like her within the cannabis industry looking to make a change from within. “When I’ve done all that I can do, I would hope that I am able to impact generational wealth for Black and brown communities,” she continued.

“Being named an industry pioneer, challenging perception of the face of consumption, and being a partner of the first cannabis cafe in the U.S., all equate to those polarizing monikers that, at the end of the day, I hope will serve as stepping stones to that end goal.”

 

 

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Blurred lines: Home or Work? #both #testkitchen 📷: @vnomoore 🙏🏾

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by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 18, 2020

NBA Photographer Fired After Posting Sexist Kamala Harris Meme on Facebook

An NBA photographer was terminated for posting an inappropriate and sexist meme of Senator Kamala Harris, Joe Biden’s running mate, according to USA Today.

The photographer, Bill Baptist, is an independent contractor working out of Houston, Texas. The photographer had worked with the Houston Rockets for over 30 years.

WNBA and college basketball legend Sheryl Swoopes went to her Facebook account to show her disgust.

“So this guy works for the NBA but covers the Houston Rockets. Has been around for a while. Even worked for the Houston Comets. It’s amazing how people will smile in your face but eventually their true colors will show.”

A spokesperson for the NBA had issued the following statement to Houston’s KPRC 2 regarding the matter: “The photographer is an independent contractor and his services are no longer being used in Orlando.”

KPRC 2 stated that they had also received an apology and written statement from Baptist:

“I deeply regret posting on my Facebook page a phrase that I saw and copied from others as a sample of some people’s reactions to Biden’s selection of Senator Harris as his choice for VP. The phrase I posted does not reflect my personal views at all. I should not have been so insensitive to post the statements by others. I sincerely apologize to all of those who have rightfully been offended and I have taken the post down from my FB page. It was a horrible mistake on my part.”

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