The racial wealth gap has been a critical issue for many critics in the conversation about Black people achieving economic freedom in the United States. Back in 2007, Black women had less than $10,000 in wealth in comparison to their peers who recorded over $40,000 in wealth. According to 2018 Census Bureau data, Black women received 61 cents for every $1 that their white male counterpart was paid while women overall earned about 80 cents for each dollar a man is paid.

“No matter what their education achievement is — or whether the job is low- or high-paying, where they live or what their age is — they face a wage gap,” said Maya Raghu, senior counsel and director of workplace equality at the National Women’s Law Center to CNBC about the racial wealth gap. “The gap affects their ability to save money and then their economic security as they get older because they haven’t been able to save as much.”

In a 2014 study by Credit Suisse with the Brandeis University’s Institute on Assets and Social Policy, data showed that inactivity in stock market trading is among one of the reasons for lack of wealth among African American women. One black woman is looking to help close the wealth gap for women with a new virtual summit aimed at instilling financial wisdom and confidence.

Cassandra Cummings is the founder of the Stocks & Stilettos Society, a community of over 50,000 Black female investors, to help create a safe space for women to learn about the stock market and how to invest after spending many years working as an investment adviser in the finance sector. Black News reported that on July 21st, Cummings will be holding a virtual investment summit called Black Girls Invest for young Black girls between the ages of 16-22 o educate and empower them to take control of their finances to start investing in the stock market. The Black Girls Invest Summit will consist of educational and interactive lessons from finance professionals and investment experts designed to help girls understand the complexities of investing.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell recently admitted that the NFL was “wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.” But, according to Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James, that admission should be made directly to Colin Kaepernick, who was the ‘poster boy’ of peaceful protests while he was still playing in the league, reports Pro Football Talk.

James was discussing the issue when he appeared in an interview with Jason Kelly of Bloomberg Businessweek.

“As far as the NFL, I’m not in those locker rooms, I’m not with those guys, but I do understand that an apology — I have not heard a true, official apology to Colin Kaepernick on what he was going through and what he was trying to tell the NFL and tell the world about why he was kneeling when he was doing that as a San Francisco 49er. I just see that to still be wrong. Now they are listening some, but I still think we have not heard that official apology to a man who basically sacrificed everything for the better of this world,” James said.

“One thing I can speak for is what I’m apart of,” he continues. “I’m a part of a league with a great commissioner in Adam Silver and he’s always listened to the voices of his players and I’ve always respected him for that. He’s given us an opportunity that when we feel something that’s very wrong with society, that’s very wrong with what’s going on in our communities, that we can speak upon that and use the NBA’s shield to back us and I have nothing but respect for Adam Silver.”

Apparently, James isn’t alone in his thought process. Based on a recent poll, two-thirds of those polled said Goodell’s statement felt insincere and was done just for publicity while 53% said it was “too little too late.”

• Career

by Selena Hill

July 1, 2020

Netflix Taps Marketing Powerhouse Bozoma Saint John as New CMO

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Bozoma Saint John is leaving her executive role at Endeavor to start a new position as the chief marketing officer (CMO) at Netflix.

Saint John, a marketing veteran with nearly 20 years of experience, will take over for Jackie Lee-Joe, the former BBC Studios CMO who began working at Netflix in July 2019. Lee-Joe said she is stepping down from her role due to personal reasons.

“Bozoma Saint John is an exceptional marketer who understands how to drive conversations around popular culture better than almost anyone,” said Netflix Content Chief Ted Sarandos in a statement, according to Deadline. “As we bring more great stories to our members around the world, she’ll define and lead our next exciting phase of creativity and connection with consumers.”

Starting in August, Saint John will be responsible for spearheading marketing initiatives for the global entertainment streaming business, which reaches over 180 million subscribers and produces a slate of original films and series, reports Adweek.

“I’m thrilled to join Netflix, especially at a time when storytelling is critical to our global, societal well-being,” said Saint John. “I feel honored to contribute my experience to an already dynamic legacy, and to continue driving engagement in the future.”

For the last two years, the 43-year-old marketing guru served as the CMO of Endeavor, the parent company of leading talent agency WME, which represents A-list stars like Oprah Winfrey and Matt Damon. Prior to Endeavor, Saint John worked for a little under a year as the Chief Brand Officer for Uber, starting in 2017. During her tenure, she took steps to improve Uber’s embattled image, even going as far as to personally work as a driver to better serve customers. Yet, despite her efforts and the shift in company leadership, Uber was riddled with scandals and controversy and made little progress in diversifying its workforce.

Saint John also held top marketing positions at Apple Music and iTunes along with Pepsi-Cola North America. She gained national notoriety after she delivered an impressive presentation at the 2016 Worldwide Developers Conference, making her the first Black woman to present at an Apple event. There, she demonstrated new Apple Music features while playing “Rapper’s Delight” on stage.

While working as Head of Music and Marketing Entertainment for PepsiCo, she was instrumental in curating Beyoncé’s sponsorship deal with Pepsi and her 2013 Super Bowl halftime performance.

Saint John graced the cover of BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Jan./Feb. 2017 Women of Power issue cover and has been a featured speaker at the BLACK ENTERPRISE Women of Power Summit and TechConneXt conference.

• COVID-19

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

July 1, 2020

35-Year-Old Black Biologist Lynika Strozier Dies After Contracting COVID-19

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A beloved Black biologist and college professor who worked in Chicago at the Field Museum has died from complications of the coronavirus, according to The Chicago Tribune.

Lynika Strozier, a 35-year-old researcher for the Field Museum’s Pritzker DNA Lab, died June 7 after testing positive for COVID-19.

• Lifestyle

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 30, 2020

Report: MSNBC Host Joy Reid To Become First Black Woman To Anchor a Prime-Time Cable News Program

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MSNBC weekend morning anchor Joy Reid will reportedly take over the time slot that one-time host Chris Matthews occupied before exiting the network several months ago, according to The Daily News.

Reid, if rumors hold true, would be the first Black woman to anchor a cable-news show during prime time. Matthews vacated his Hardball time slot after allegations of sexual harassment. Matthews had been hosting Hardball on the network since 1999 before quitting after accusations of making inappropriate comments.

Reid, who currently hosts the MSNBC morning show AM Joy, has been one of several other hosts, including Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes, who has filled in temporarily in the coveted time slot.

Citing unnamed sources who have knowledge of the ongoing situation, The Wall Street Journal reported that MSNBC is “close” to making an announcement that Reid will emerge as the new host of the MSNBC’s 7 PM time slot. This would establish her as the lead-in to its block of prime time programming, All In With Chris Hayes, The Rachel Maddow Show, and The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell.

Another prominent Black woman, Tamron Hall, sent Reid a congratulatory Tweet.

Well @JoyAnnReid !!! Need I say more…Primetime cable news!!!! #shedidthat

— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) June 25, 2020

Reid is a Harvard University graduate who is originally from Brooklyn, New York, was raised in Denver, until she moved back to Brooklyn when she was 17. She originally hosted her own show, Reid Report from 2014-2015 on MSNBC before launching AM Joy back in 2016. 

Reid has written the book Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons, and the Racial Divide, published by HarperCollins on Sept. 8, 2015, and just last year, she published another book, which became a New York Times best-seller, The Man Who Sold America: Trump and the Unraveling of the American Story.

• News

by Derek Major

June 30, 2020

Judge In George Floyd Case Is Worried Cops Won’t Get A Fair Trial

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The Hennepin County Judge handling the case of the four former officers who have been charged with killing George Floyd is concerned they won’t get a fair trial.

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill warned attorneys Monday that comments from public officials may force him to move the trial outside Hennepin County.

At the hearing, defense attorneys for former officers Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao criticized state, city, and county officials for giving opinions they believe have tainted their client’s right to a fair trial.

“I’m fighting the battle with one hand,” because of the public statements, said Thao’s attorney, Robert Paule, adding that he planned to file a motion for a change of venue.

Cahill agreed that public commentary on the incident is widespread.

“It’s in everyone’s best interest” that no public statements about the case be made, Cahill said at the hearing. “What they’re doing is endangering the right to a fair trial. They need to understand that.”

Moving a trial outside of the county in which the crime allegedly occurred in is rare. However, the issue dominated the hearing Monday. The hearing also touched on future court dates, the amount of evidence in the case, and whether cameras should be allowed at the trial.

Media members from across the country and globe have flocked to Hennepin County for the preliminary proceedings. Members of Floyd’s family have also attended the hearing. Floyd’s aunt Angela Harrelson and uncle Selwyn Jones also attended the hearings and believe the trial should stay in Hennepin County.

“What’s the purpose of moving it?” she asked. “Honestly, I mean the whole world knows about it, and I’m like, well, where are you going to go? … You can move to Africa; they knew about it. … All that’s going to do is make it inconvenient for the family to get there.”

Chauvin, who is still being held on a $1.25 million bond appeared via remote TV from the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Oak Park Heights. Chauvin is charged with second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter.

The other three officers Keung, Lane, and Thao have been charged with and abetting murder and manslaughter and have posted bond.

The trial is scheduled for March 8, 2021.

The death of George Floyd has sparked nationwide protests in support of Black Lives Matter and calls to defund police departments. In a recent poll by the AP and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, 95% of Americans said they’re in favor of at least some criminal justice system and police reform.

• Health and Wellness

by Dana Givens

June 30, 2020

The Black Farmer’s Market Attracts Over 1,000 Shoppers in Raleigh, North Carolina

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Black farmers have been historically cut out of the mainstream industry for years, having to work harder in order for their farms and businesses to thrive. Black farmers have also faced a harder time finding land and even reported being initially denied coveted spots at farmer’s markets.

However, this hasn’t stop Black farmers from coming together and working to help each other grow. On Sunday, over 1,000 patrons came out to support the Black Farmer’s Market in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This is the first market of its kind catering to Black farmers in the city as the previous events were always held in Durham. The Black Farmer’s Market is a bi-monthly event series to support local Black-owned brands throughout the year based in North Carolina. According to WRAL, over 26 locally owned businesses were featured at the event drawing in huge crowds. “Now more than ever let’s come together to support Black business and Black farmers,” read the Facebook event according to WRAL. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

@TheBlackFarmersMarketNC has teamed up with the @TheBullsOfDurham to raise $8000 to take our mission to the next level. We are working to create a sustainaBULL eco-network of Black farmers & entrepreneurs across the state of North Carolina. We host monthly markets in both Durham and Raleigh with the hope of expanding our impact & frequency.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ Please click the #LinkInBio on @thebullsofdurham page to make a contribution of $6.19 or more.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ Our goal is to raise $8000 in 8 weeks.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ Here are our benchmarks & their impacts:⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ 🍅$500 | New Market Signage – Directs more foot traffic to markets & thus more sales for farmers.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ 🥕$2000 | New Website – Allows direct sales through farmers & market preorders for fast pickup.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ 🌽$6000 | Market Manager Stipend – Pays market manager a living wage for her time & hard work.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ 🥬$8000 | Creation of Farmers’ Assistance Fund – Helps farmers with unexpected farm costs.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ Special thank you to @Provident1898 for sponsoring the monthly Durham markets allowing the Black Farmers’ Market to maximize their financial resources & host their markets in a great, historic location.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ 📹 @RainBennett @SixSecondStories.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ #SupportBlackOwnedBusinesses #ThisIsWhatCommunityLooksLike #ThisIsDurham.⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ .⁠ ⁠ .⁠ #Juneteenth #Juneteenth2020 #BlackFarmersMarket #BlackFarmers #BlackMarket #BlackEntrepreneurs #SelfSufficentByAnyMeansNecessary #BlackOwnedBusiness #bfm2020 #BlackFarmersTradeUnion #BlackDollarsMatter #Durm #BlackLivesMatter #TheBullsOfDurham #DurhamNC #Raleigh #Raleighcreatives #UrbanFarmers #BlackPeopleGrow⁠ ⁠ ⁠

A post shared by The Black Market, LLC (@theblackfarmersmarketnc) on Jun 19, 2020 at 9:06am PDT

• Criminal Justice Reform

by Derek Major

June 30, 2020

CNN Analyst Van Jones Privately Helped Trump Develop Police Reform Bill

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According to a new report, CNN Analyst Van Jones was instrumental in President Donald Trump’s executive order on police reform.

According to The Grio, Jones played a major role in drafting the bill. However, the bill was called “weak” and a “photo op” by Democrats. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund added that the order must not be “a distraction on the path toward achieving veritable, lasting change.”

Trump’s executive order will create a database to track police officers with multiple instances of misconduct and uses federal grants to encourage local law enforcement agencies to meet certification standards on the use of force. According to the Daily Beast, California human rights attorney Jessica Jackson, and Jared Kushner also helped write the order.

Jones touted the bill on both Inside Politics and 360 with Anderson Cooper but did not say on either show that he had a hand in drafting the bill.

“The executive order is a good thing,” Jones said, “mainly because you saw the support of law enforcement there … There is movement in the direction of a database for bad cops. We have never had a federal database for bad cops, that’s why all these cops go all over the place doing bad stuff… The chokeholds, that’s common ground now between Nancy Pelosi and Trump. Good stuff there.”

Rev. Al Sharpton and many others blasted the order when it was signed.

“I did not think the executive order was worth the paper it was written on,” Sharpton told The Daily Beast.

The police reform bill that passed in the House Friday, which the Senate said it will not pass, would crack down on excessive force by police, ban chokeholds, enforce national transparency standards, and push accountability for officer misconduct with a national database to track offenses.

Sen. Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) called the passing of the act a huge step forward in the fight for equality.

“Today’s bipartisan House passage of the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act is a big step forward in our march toward achieving the ideal of equal justice under law,” Harris said in a released statement. “This legislation is an opportunity for Congress to meet the American people’s demands by specifically addressing the problem of police brutality and holding officers accountable for misconduct.”

• Politics

by Derek Major

June 30, 2020

Mississippi Mayor Fights Tears While Signing Executive Order To Remove State Flag

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Laurel, Mississippi, Mayor Johnny Magee held back tears as he signed an executive order removing the state’s flag from city-owned buildings.

According to WLOX, Magee signed the order June 23 to remove the flag, which has the Confederate emblem on it. Magee, who was born and raised in Laurel, broke down and was unable to speak at times as he signed the legislation.

As he signed the order, Magee said, the flag “shall not be flown at any of the public facilities.” Shortly after the signing, the flag was removed from Laurel City Hall.

“There comes a point in time in the annals of history when it becomes necessary to redefine who a people are, and what a collection of these people represent,” Magee said. “It is the opinion of the mayor of this city that now is such a time.”

Magee, the mayor of Laurel for eight years, said the Mississippi state flag has always reminded him of the state’s racist history. During the 1830s, Mississippi was home to more than 195,000 slaves. Additionally, the state did not submit the required documentation to ratify the Thirteenth Amendment until February 2013.

“It has also been used by some as an image of hatred, divisiveness and violence, none of which in any way represents the ideals and principles of our great nation, our proud state, or our vibrant city,” Magee told reporters.

Magee said the removed flags will be donated to the local library or another agency that will take them. Athletes, celebrities, and politicians in the state have called for the flag to be changed before. However, the Black Lives Matter protests have started new calls for the flag to be discontinued.

The Southeastern Conference which represents 14 colleges in the south, threatened to bar post-season tournaments from being held in the state unless it changed the flag. Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill said on Twitter he would sit out the 2020 season unless the flag was changed.

Mississippi’s Senate and House passed a bill last week removing the emblem from the state flag and Gov. Tate Reeves said he will sign the bill.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 30, 2020

272 NYPD Police Officers Filed for Retirement Since the Police Killing of George Floyd

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Ever since the protests that transpired as the result of George Floyd being killed by a Minneapolis police officer and it being recorded on a mobile phone, police officers within the New York Police Department have been filing for retirement, according to The New York Post.

After Floyd was killed on May 25th of this year, and protesters started clamoring for justice for him and many other Blacks who have died at the hands of police officers with barely any lasting consequences for the officers, cops have reportedly been demoralized because of the public outrage.

According to Fox News, the NYPD has stated that 272 officers have filed for retirement between Floyd’s death and June 23rd. That number represents a 49% increase over the same period from last year.

Patrick Lynch, president of the Police Benevolent Association said that police officers are “at their breaking point, whether they have 20 years on the job or only two. We are all asking the same question: ‘How can we keep doing our job in this environment?’ And that is exactly what the anti-cop crowd wants. If we have no cops because no one wants to be a cop, they will have achieved their ultimate goal.”

Ed Mullins, who has the role of president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said an “exodus” from the police department has started. According to Mullins, nearly 80 of his members have recently filed their retirement papers and that morale is “at the lowest levels I’ve seen in 38 years.”

“People have had enough and no longer feel it’s worth risking their personal well-being for a thankless position.”

“There is no leadership, no direction, no training for new policies,” he said. “Department brass is paralyzed (and) too afraid to uphold their sworn oath in fear of losing their jobs. Sadly, the people of this city will soon experience what New York City was like in the 1980s.”