‘This Is Us’ Writer Jas Waters Dead at 39
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2020

‘This Is Us’ Writer Jas Waters Dead at 39

Hip-hop journalist turned television writer Jas “JasFly” Waters died earlier this week, according to USA Today.

The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner confirmed that Waters, who was a writer on NBC’s This Is Us and Showtime’s Kidding, died on Tuesday by suicide. She was 39.

Waters’ This Is Us writing colleagues shared their grief on Twitter: “In our time together, Jas left her mark on us and ALL over the show. She was a brilliant storyteller and a force of nature.“


The creator of This Is Us, Dan Fogelman, and star Chrissy Metz also posted their condolences on Twitter.

“Jas was absolutely brilliant and had so many stories still to tell,” Fogelman wrote. “She made an indelible mark on our show and my heart breaks for her loved ones.“

 

Waters had previously written for VIBE magazine before making her way to television writing. Waters’ IMDB profile lists that she had also written episodes for Comedy Central’s Hood Adjacent and VH1’s The Breaks. The editor and writer also worked on the productions for films such as Spiderman, Save The Last Dance, and What Men Want.

Samira Nasr Becomes the First Black Editor-in-Chief in the History Of ‘Harper’s BAZAAR’
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2020

Samira Nasr Becomes the First Black Editor-in-Chief in the History Of ‘Harper’s BAZAAR’

Hearst Magazines has named the first Black editor-in-chief of the U.S. edition of Harper’s BAZAAR. Samira Nasr will oversee content strategy and development across the brand’s print and digital platforms..

The magazine publicized the move via its Instagram account:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Introducing @samiranasr, the new editor-in-chief of Harper’s BAZAAR. Here, she shares her vision for what’s next for BAZAAR. 🖤

A post shared by Harper’s BAZAAR (@harpersbazaarus) on


The announcement was made by Hearst president and CEO Steven R. Swartz and Hearst Magazines president Troy Young. Nasr will report to Hearst Magazines Chief Content Officer Kate Lewis.

Nasr’s tenure at the 153-year-old publication begins July 6.

“Fashion and BAZAAR are synonymous,” Nasr said. “It is a tremendous privilege to be entrusted with moving this legacy brand into a new era—one that is colorful, inclusive, and celebrates the beauty of fashion on every platform—while carrying on the tradition of innovative art direction and great style that the BAZAAR audience loves so much. The most beautiful part of working in magazines is the teamwork and creating a community. I can’t wait to get started.”

“Harper’s BAZAAR is a leading American fashion brand with a point of view that is hugely influential in the U.S. and around the world,” Young said. “Samira’s important voice will continue to evolve the brand’s distinct position as a style touchstone for fashion’s most discerning.”

“BAZAAR has always presented the world of fashion through a unique lens—smart, vibrant, adoring. Those words could not better describe Samira, who understands and delights in the world of fashion, but has a thoroughly modern and distinctive take,” Lewis says. “She innately understands the BAZAAR woman, because she is the BAZAAR woman: passionate about fashion, culture, and the issues that matter today. I know she will make something magical here.”

NASCAR Driver Who’s Never Won a Race Quits Over Banning of Confederate Flag
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2020

NASCAR Driver Who’s Never Won a Race Quits Over Banning of Confederate Flag

A part-time NASCAR driver, who is virtually unknown, says he is not returning to competition after the 2020 racing season is over because NASCAR decided to ban the Confederate flag, according to CNN.
Ray Ciccarelli of the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, went on social media earlier this week after NASCAR announced its decision to not allow the Confederate flag to be displayed at race tracks.
“The presence of the Confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR wrote in a statement. “Bringing people together around a love for racing and the community that it creates is what makes our fans and sport special. The display of the Confederate flag will be prohibited from all events and properties.”

In a deleted Facebook post, Ciccarelli said, “Well its been a fun ride and dream come true but if this is the direction Nascar is headed we will not participate after 2020 season is over, i don’t believe in kneeling during Anthem nor taken ppl right to fly what ever flag they love.”

“I could care less about the Confederate Flag but there are ppl that do and it doesn’t make them a racist all you are doing is f—— one group to cater to another and i ain’t spend the money we are to participate in any political BS!! So everything is for SALE!!”
Several Twitter users had a field day as they responded to the news.

 

Wisconsin Gym Apologizes for Offensive ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Workout
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 12, 2020

Wisconsin Gym Apologizes for Offensive ‘I Can’t Breathe’ Workout

A fitness center located in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, has had to issue a formal apology after it advertised an “I Can’t Breathe” workout in front of its facility according to NBC News.

The corporate office for Anytime Fitness released a statement regarding the issue.

Statement By Chuck Runyon and Dave Mortensen, co-founders, Self Esteem Brands

As the co-founders of the Anytime Fitness brand, we were extremely disappointed to learn about the “I Can’t Breathe” workout promoted by the AF franchise location in Wauwatosa, Wis.

The trainer who promoted the “I Can’t Breathe” workout has been terminated by the owner of the Wauwatosa location. That owner has taken full responsibility for the actions of his location, and he and his entire staff have volunteered to be the first ones to participate in the antiracism training that we announced last week and are providing for all franchise owners across our portfolio of brands.

Under the Anytime Fitness franchise model, owners make independent decisions about local promotional activities for their gyms. However, regardless of their original intent, the actions of the Wauwatosa location were offensive, insensitive and inconsistent with our brand values. We understand the deep hurt that this gym’s actions have caused for many of our members, and we truly apologize that this happened.

This experience has further galvanized our commitment to antiracism education within our franchise network. To our employees, franchise owners, members and communities—especially those who are black, Indigenous, and people of color—we deeply regret this week’s events, and we will continue to learn from these experiences. Our commitment to eliminating racism within our business is stronger than ever.

-Chuck and Dave

Jen Dunnington, the co-owner and general manager of the Wauwatosa location, has issued an apology on Facebook:

“To our members, employees and community:

“We are terribly sorry for our actions this week by offering an “I Can’t Breathe” workout. No matter our intent, we now recognize how deeply offensive our words, illustrations and actions have been. One of the publicly-stated commitments to antiracism work by the owner of the Anytime Fitness brand, Self Esteem Brands, is to bolster education efforts for its franchise owners to lead with empathy, love and respect. We obviously have work to do within our own location, and we will work hard to earn back your trust and respect. We stand with our black community, and again, we are so very sorry for this insensitive move.”

NBPA Exec. Dir. Michele Roberts Becomes the First Female Board Director of Cannabis Company Cresco
by Selena Hill

June 12, 2020

NBPA Exec. Dir. Michele Roberts Becomes the First Female Board Director of Cannabis Company Cresco

National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Executive Director Michele Roberts announced her latest play earlier this week. The respected business leader and distinguished trial lawyer was tapped to join the board of directors at Cresco Labs, one of the largest vertically integrated multistate cannabis operators in the U.S. This appointment makes Roberts the first woman and first black woman to join the board.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on Cresco Labs’ Board and work alongside the senior leadership and management teams in their efforts to elevate the company to the next level of excellence,” said Roberts in a statement sent to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “I look forward to advancing Cresco Labs’ distinctive brands of high quality products and services, particularly those focused on the promise held by medicinal cannabis to treat conditions and illnesses where more traditional protocols have not met the patients’ needs, and I am also committed to supporting Cresco’s Labs’ social responsibility efforts which are focused on the industry’s first national Social Equity and Education Development initiative to better both individual lives and underrepresented communities.”

Roberts has served as the Executive Director of the NBPA since 2014, where she works on behalf of NBA players to ensure that their rights are protected and that they are fairly compensated. Prior to that, she was an esteemed trial lawyer with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Her practice focused on complex civil and white-collar criminal litigation before state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings. She also served as a former member of the adjunct faculty at Harvard Law School, where she taught trial advocacy. She joins the Cresco Labs board during a time of heightened awareness and increased demand for diversity on corporate boards.

“Ms. Roberts is an outstanding addition to our board,” said Tom Manning, Cresco Labs’ executive chairman, in a press release sent to BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Drawing on her experience in leading one of the most important player organizations in the sports world and her expertise in law and litigation as a highly-accomplished trial attorney and educator, Michele will provide a unique perspective at a critical time of continued growth and expansion in the industry.”
Charlie Bachtell, Cresco Labs’ CEO and co-founder added, “We are advocates of a more diverse and inclusive cannabis industry, and we are thrilled to have Michele’s counsel, experience and leadership to help influence the development of both our Company and this industry. We believe her contributions will be invaluable to Cresco.”
Byron Allen And Comcast Settle Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Set Deal for Three Channels
by Derek Major

June 12, 2020

Byron Allen And Comcast Settle Racial Discrimination Lawsuit, Set Deal for Three Channels

Byron Allen, owner of the Weather Channel as well as several regional sports networks, has settled a long-running racial discrimination lawsuit with Comcast.

According to Variety, on Wednesday Comcast reached an agreement with Allen’s Entertainment Studios to pick up three of his cable channels: Comedy.TV, Recipe.TV ,and JusticeCentral.TV.

The settlement also amends the terms of Comcast’s deal with The Weather Channel, which Allen bought in 2018. Allen filed a $20 billion lawsuit in 2015 against the cable giant, accusing it of violating civil rights law by refusing to carry his portfolio of seven niche cable channels. Comcast vehemently denied that race played any role in its decision.

Allen said he’s happy to move on from the suit and create a new partnership with Comcast.

“We’re excited to begin a new phase of partnership with Comcast and Xfinity, including the distribution of our cable channels for the first time on Xfinity platforms,” Allen said.

The settlement between the two will allow Comcast to launch the free Weather Channel app Local Now on its Xfinity and Flex platforms and the WeLoveWeather.TV website on an authenticated basis. Comcast will also have video on demand rights to the three new channels.

“We are pleased to have reached this multifaceted agreement that continues our long relationship with The Weather Channel while bringing Xfinity customers additional content. We look forward to an ongoing partnership,” Bec Heap, senior vice president of video and entertainment for Comcast Cable, told Variety.

Allen’s suit alleged Comcast violated a federal civil rights law from 1866 designed to ensure that African Americans had the same right to make and enforce contracts as white Americans. The suit asserted that since race played a factor in Comcast’s decision making, it violated section 1981 of the law.

The case made it all the way to the Supreme Court, but in March the court ruled 9-0 in favor of Comcast on the interpretation question and sent the case back to a lower court. The New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer, pushed the cable giant to come to a settlement with Allen late last year. New York City’s pension fund holds 9 million Comcast shares worth an estimated $423 million.

by Dana Givens

June 12, 2020

Meet the 28-Year-Old Black Woman Who Owns Her Own Accredited International College

There are many milestones a person wants to accomplish before the age of 30. Many young professionals dream of becoming successful in their field in their 20s so they can transition into the next phase of life and become more stable. One Ghanian woman became the youngest woman in the country to launch her own accredited college.

Twenty-eight-year old entrepreneur and business coach Caroline Esinam Adzogble is the youngest woman not only in Ghana but in all of Africa to launch her very own accredited international college, Potters International College based out of Accra, Ghana. She started the educational institution in 2016 at the age of 22. Her goal was to create a place that could offer career training programs to current working professionals and students for jobs in the tech field. Adzogble was still studying business administration and computer science in college when she initially launched the school in 2012 as an IT training institution.

Adzogble is also the founder of IAES Africa, a platform for international student recruitment and institutional partnership that has recruits across 43 countries. She is also the president and co-founder of Caroline University and runs several other businesses while being a global advocate for education and the president of Mercy Heart Foundation, which provides merit-based scholarships for students to study abroad on a tuition-free basis. Her other ventures include Admission in 30 Minutes, Everyday Travels and Tours, and Caroline Technology Solutions.

“I am on the quest to uplift education within Africa and beyond, to make education the most accessible and affordable to students located in over 146 countries,” said Adzogble in a local interview according to Face2Face Africa.

She is also the CEO of the Caroline Group, a major business conglomerate originating from West Africa, Ghana, and is one of the largest in the education sector across the region.

64% of Blacks Say Racism and Discrimination Are Issues at Their Workplace
by Jeffrey McKinney

June 12, 2020

64% of Blacks Say Racism and Discrimination Are Issues at Their Workplace

A new survey shows that a hefty 64% of African American workers believe that their workplace struggles with racism and discrimination.

That belief among black Americans is much higher than the 44% of Americans overall who think racism and discrimination is an issue where they work but well below the 76% of Americans as a whole who think that racism and discrimination is an issue at U.S. workplaces in general.

The ratings and review firm Clutch surveyed 755 workers across the nation in early June and learned that 62% back the non-violent protest following the death of George Floyd.

Data from the Clutch 2020 Diversity and Inclusion Survey further revealed that businesses should not be scared to approach issues like racism, diversity, and inclusion publicly and privately.

African Americans are more likely to think their company should address the issues that blossomed from the protests. Some 59% expect their company to respond to Floyd’s death and resulting protests.

Around 61% of those surveyed have experienced workplace discrimination either personally or as a witness, though many workers don’t feel there are discriminatory practices at their company.

Kristen Herhold, a senior content writer and marketer at Clutch, says her firm found that African American workers are more likely to say racism and discrimination is a problem at their workplace. She added that’s because they, along with other underrepresented groups, are more likely to notice microaggressions, or less overt actions of prejudice such as small comments, gestures, or actions.

“People may not think their office is discriminating because they’re not the ones being discriminated against,” she says.

Other top survey findings were that 49% of workers say their company has addressed the protests in some way, including releasing public statements (30%), holding open discussions with leadership (19%), and donating to causes (10%). Fifty-five percent of workers believe their company should address Floyd’s death and the resulting protests.

Most employees—65%—are satisfied with how their business has responded to Floyd’s death and the resulting protests, while 29% believe their company should do more.

Demographically, younger generations appear to be more adamant that discrimination is a problem at workplaces:  Some 55% of millennial and younger workers think it’s a major issue, versus 42% of Generation Xers and 34% of baby boomers and older.

The survey revealed 54% of workers at large businesses contend that racism is an workplace issue versus 35% at small businesses. Clutch reported larger businesses have more of an influence on the general public, boosting their likelihood of addressing issues. Some of the nation’s biggest companies have pledged to back the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of Floyd’s death and the protests.

Smaller companies tend to lean toward an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. Those businesses make it easier for employees to take on more work, perhaps why their workers think they’re less discriminatory than large companies. Conversely, at larger companies, it may be more difficult for employees to advance, especially people of color.

And despite a company’s size, some workers are persuaded racism is a problem at workplaces in America. Clutch reported there are just four black CEOs on the 2020 Fortune 500 list, with Marvin Ellison at Lowe’s being the highest-ranked one.

Businesses should address the issue of racism head-on, Clutch maintains. Observers also suggest companies review their practices and policies to more effectively deal with race-related issues.

Confederate, Columbus Statues Are Being Torn Down Across The Country
by Derek Major

June 11, 2020

Confederate, Columbus Statues Are Being Torn Down Across The Country

Several statues of Confederate figures and explorer Christopher Columbus have been torn down or beheaded in the last few weeks as the protests for racial equality continue.

Statues of Columbus in Boston, Miami, and Virginia have been vandalized. According to The Virginian Pilot, a statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis was torn down in Richmond, Virginia, Wednesday.

The actions, which have happened in the past, have restarted as a result of the protests for racial equality and the end of police brutality against African Americans. Some places have taken statues down in response to the protests. In Virginia, demonstrators beheaded four Confederate statues before pulling one down using a tow rope, while a marching band played. Cops were in the area but did not stop or arrest demonstrators.

The crowd defaced the statue after the Portsmouth City Council decided to put off moving the monument, which sits at a site where slaves were punished at a whipping post according to Cassandra Newby-Alexander, a Norfolk State University history professor.

In addition to the heads being knocked off the statues, one protester knocked a rifle off of the statue using bolt cutters. The dedication marker also was taken down. Protesters gave the rifle and a sword they took from the monument to 73-year-old Vietnam veteran John Hooks.

“I’m a mixed bag of emotions,” Hooks told the Pilot after someone handed him a piece of the monument. “This is where they sold us into slavery.”

Protesters began spray painting the monuments Wednesday afternoon. Afterward, Portsmouth NAACP President James Boyd and vice president Louie Gibbs were arrested and charged with trespassing. Boyd and Gibbs were released about 30 minutes later on a summons, defense attorney Don Scott, who also serves as a state delegate representing the 80th District, told the Pilot.

Portsmouth Police Chief Angela Greene said Wednesday night they did not intervene because there were so few of them at the time. She said it would have put the officers at risk. Greene also said there was no threat to public safety.

General Motors Donates $10 Million to Support Organizations Promoting Inclusion and Racial Justice
by Selena Hill

June 11, 2020

General Motors Donates $10 Million to Support Organizations Promoting Inclusion and Racial Justice

Civil unrest has swept the nation in response to the recent wave of killings of unarmed black men and women, including George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery. Millions of people are flooding the streets demanding racial justice, law enforcement reform, and an end to systemic racism at large. In addition, a number of corporations—from Amazon to Nike—are standing in solidarity with the protesters by publicly supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and/or donating to social justice organizations.

Joining the fold is General Motors (GM), which pledged $10 million to support organizations that promote inclusion and racial justice. An initial $1 million will be given to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the premier legal organization fighting for racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and public education, according to a news release.

Recipients of additional funding will be determined with input from GM’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and the recently announced GM Inclusion Advisory Board (IAB). GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra, who will chair the IAB, will commission an inclusion advisory board of both internal and external leaders. GM’s goal is to become the most inclusive company in the world.

“Through today’s donations, GM is taking action in helping root out intolerance—and that means racism, bigotry, discrimination and any other form of hatred,” said Barra in a statement. “We want to be part of meaningful, deliberate change and we will not allow ourselves the passivity of urging others to act. We are taking action.”

The GM program includes the opportunity for employees to give to organizations and a corporate matching of those employee contributions.

In a message to employees, Barra stated that it’s time for people and corporations to back their words of support with action. “I am both impatient and disgusted by the fact that as a nation, we seem to be placated by the passive discussion of ‘why.’ There comes a time when we are compelled to stop diagnosing what is wrong and start advocating for what is right,” she wrote, reports The News Wheel.

 

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