Jamaica Reopens Next Week As The Rest Caribbean Begins To Welcome Back Tourists
by Dana Givens

June 9, 2020

Jamaica Reopens Next Week As The Rest Caribbean Begins To Welcome Back Tourists

The travel industry came to a complete halt as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, or novel coronavirus. Despite the quarantine restrictions, it has dampened Americans’ interest in traveling. According to a recent survey, 60% of Americans said they are looking forward to traveling again.

At the start of June, numerous islands across the Caribbean have started to slowly reopen their borders to welcome back tourists since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We previously reported that the U.S Virgin Islands and St. Lucia were opening their borders again last week and now Jamaica has announced that it will reopen for travelers on June 15. Other islands including the Bahamas and Antigua have also announced their plans to reopen as well in addition to airlines like American Airlines resuming their Caribbean routes.

In an email Q&A with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, the Honorable Edmund Bartlett discusses the reopening process and how events like the recent Verzuz battle between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer has increased interest among Americans wanting to travel to the island nation once restrictions have been lifted.

How will Jamaica screen incoming travelers who enter the country post-COVID-19?

Health and safety are our top priorities as we reopen for tourism business, both domestically and internationally. We have been thinking carefully of both inbound travelers and also the hundreds of thousands of tourism and hospitality workers across the country who will be face to face with inbound travelers every single day. We are in the process of implementing a number of health and safety protocols in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, including temperature screening, and PPE for tourism workers. We are focused on using the latest technologies to ensure that travelers are screened repeatedly throughout their visit in a way that is thorough and effective, but not disruptive to the enjoyment of their vacation.

What are your current challenges with the reopening approach?

The health and safety of our tourism workers and visitors is paramount. Finding a way to re-start our tourism-dependent economy while ensuring said health and safety, and also preserving the authentic experiences travelers crave when they visit us, is our top priority. Consumers across generations have a new mindset as a result of COVID-19. This shared experience has created an entirely new generation: Gen-C. This new generation of travel transcends ages and geographies, and unites us with new post-COVID concerns about health and safety, and what it will mean to leave our homes, and ultimately to board airplanes once again.

Our livelihood in Jamaica depends on a successful travel and tourism sector. As the nation’s largest economic engine, the travel industry creates more than 350,000 jobs locally, and fuels more than one-third of our economy. It is essential that we get this right and we surely will.

The recent Verzuz between Beenie Man and Bounty Killer really sparked a new interest in traveling to Jamaica after the quarantine is lifted. Do you plan on capitalizing on the wave?

As music is one of our country’s beloved assets, we have used it as a driving force for tourism, leveraging our music festivals as the reason for visiting. In lieu of not being able to do so in person, we’ve been using various digital activations to keep consumers interested in, and connected to, the island.

One of these was the Escape to Jamaica Instagram series, which featured a weekly DJ Live Session that delivered the infectious energy only a Jamaican DJ can. The Verzuz battle between icons Beenie Man and Bounty Killer drew over 750,000 views and further cemented the affection for Jamaican music and travelers’ desire to visit our shores. We are well-suited to capitalize on this demand once it’s safe to travel again.

You were experiencing an increase in tourism in the beginning of the year prior to the pandemic, how do you plan on maintaining those numbers post-lockdown?

As our hotels, restaurants, and attractions closed due to COVID-19, we have turned our attention to ensuring hospitality workers across the country are prepared to provide exceptional service in a safe environment. Through the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation, we have partnered with international entities including the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, to offer free intensive online training programs for hospitality workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.

We have classes including restaurant service, hospitality management certification, introduction to Spanish, a DJ certification class, and tourism law. More than 8,000 people enrolled in these programs, which will improve our service levels and ensure we are meeting the needs of Gen-C when travel resumes. Instilling confidence in consumers will help convert the pent-up demand for travel to actual bookings, and we are already starting to see booking numbers rise for the second half of the year.

How do you plan on enforcing social distancing in places like beaches?

We want vacations and local experiences to be enjoyable in this new reality. Extensive training is underway across the island to align our hospitality workers with new international standards, protocols and technology enablement. These training programs will drive awareness of procedures and empower workers to assist guests with physical distancing and any situations that emerge. We are also finalizing a traveler responsibility protocol that maps our approach to physical distancing and aligns with international third parties to ensure our protocols meet the highest industry standards.

Will the country be allowing travelers from all countries or will there be certain restrictions?

At this point we do not anticipate any restrictions, however we are monitoring the situation and reserve the right to limit travel from any emerging hotspots. 

Private Jet Broker Kelvin Mensah Is Soaring To New Heights Amid COVID-19
by Lydia Blanco

June 9, 2020

Private Jet Broker Kelvin Mensah Is Soaring To New Heights Amid COVID-19

Entrepreneur Kelvin ‘PJ Kev’ Mensah has made a name for himself as the youngest black private jet broker in the industry. At the age of 21, Mensah began chartering planes for influential people in various industries. Since then, he has experienced unquantifiable success. As the airline industry strives to overcome turbulent times during the pandemic, Mensah is preparing for an uptick in business as private chartered jets become more prevalent. And although flying is limited amid COVID-19, Mensah continues to soar to new heights as a businessman.

After taking interest in luxury lifestyle and flight, Mensah began to put in his 10,000 hours and network to learn more about the niche industry.

“I was always fascinated by traveling. But I always wanted to be in luxury travel because I didn’t want to be a flight attendant or working for a large aviation corporation. I wanted to do something different. So, I got into the private jet market and in the first year of business, I didn’t make any money, said Mensah.

But for him, that was a motivating factor.

“I started learning everything about aircrafts. The size of the aircraft, how much baggage it holds…everything, in and out. The information that I learned gave me the love for the private travel industry. And I was like, ‘You know what? I think this is something that I want to do.’ I love to travel but I just didn’t have the funds to go from place to place,” Mensah added.

Private Jet
Kelvin ‘PJ Kev’ Mensah (Image: Instagram/PJ Kev)

Meet Private Jet Broker PJ Kev

 


Doing Business

As airline ticket prices increase during the pandemic and people express concerns about flying, Mensah says that it’s to his benefit as a broker.

“A lot of people don’t want to fly commercial. So, the next target of flying is private jet flying. So, it’s going to pick up even more after the pandemic.”

He went on to say that while some might not have considered his business to be essential, it is now an essential way to travel given the health crisis.

“A lot of people are now grouping people together to fly private,” said Mensah.

People are now asking themselves, “Why would I want to go to the airport and be around all these people when I can pay the same amount of money and fly private and get to my destination safe?” he shared.

Related: Meet the Black Pilot Teaching Kids How To Fly

Soaring to New Heights

To date, Mensah has worked with business luminaries throughout the entertainment and sports industries. Over the span of his career, Mensah has brokered private jets for Jay-Z, Meek Mill, and countless others.

Two of his first prominent clients were world-renowned soccer play Neymar and Sean “Diddy” Combs.

“When I booked the jet for Diddy, I met him at the airport and he gave me a hug. He was like, ‘You’re on the right track. When you start booking jets for me them you’re definitely on the right track,” said Mensah. “Those two people right there was very influential for me. It helped me understand that I can go as far as I want to push. Those two individuals helped me push it to the limit and understand that I was in the right industry.”

In addition to being encouraged by those gentlemen, Mensah continued to network and seek mentorship.

Now, Mensah and his business manager Aaron Wilson are helping others learn about securing capital to fund their dreams. The two co-authored the book, How To Get Funding For Your Startup to teach others what they have learned along the way.

To learn more about Mensah and his luxury lifestyle brand and private jets, click here.

 

Candace Owens’ GoFundMe Account Suspended Over Controversial Comments About George Floyd
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2020

Candace Owens’ GoFundMe Account Suspended Over Controversial Comments About George Floyd

GoFundMe has suspended a fundraiser that was started by conservative activist Candace Owens for a café co-owner who labeled Minneapolis police shooting victim George Floyd a “thug.” The fundraising site stated that her campaign violated its policies on “intolerance of any kind,” according to The Hill.

Owens started a GoFundMe campaign that had raised more than $200,000 for the Parkside Café located in Birmingham, Alabama. She began the fundraiser after co-owner Michael Dykes sparked a backlash by insulting Floyd and calling the people who were protesting his death “idiots” in a text message to co-owner Robert Bagwell.

Three employees who worked at Parkside Cafe quit working and people starting boycotting the cafe online after Dykes’ comments were revealed.

The controversial pundit took to Twitter over the weekend to report on the actions taken against her and the campaign she started.

“After raising $205,000 in a few hours @gofundme decided to halt my campaign for the Parkside Cafe in Alabama. At their discretion, they deemed that funds raised for a conservative business constitutes “intolerance.”

“GoFundMe has suspended the account associated with Candace Owens and the GoFundMe campaign has been removed because of a repeated pattern of inflammatory statements that spread hate, discrimination, intolerance and falsehoods against the black community at a time of profound national crisis. These actions violate our terms of service,” a GoFundMe spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

The company added that the cafe itself has condemned Dykes’s comments.

“GoFundMe will work with the Parkside Café’s staff to facilitate the transfer of the funds raised on their behalf. It’s important to remember that when money is raised on behalf of another individual or organization, the funds are safely held by our payment processor, and only transferred directly to the beneficiary of the campaign,” the spokesperson said. “In this case, the money is safely held and will only be released to the Parkside Cafe. If a donor would like a refund, we will immediately process that refund request.”

OneUnited Bank, America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank, Supports Blackout Day
by Derek Major

June 9, 2020

OneUnited Bank, America’s Largest Black-Owned Bank, Supports Blackout Day

OneUnited Bank, America’s largest black-owned bank, has released a statement supporting Blackout Day, an event in which people of color are encouraged to not spend any money for a full day to show the power of their finances and demand change.

The Boston-based bank has supported other social justice movements including the Black Lives Matter movement and movements on social media including #TakeAKnee and the #1619Project. Since OneUnited Bank was founded, it has always encouraged African Americans to use their spending power to demand change.

African Americans contribute more than $1.2 trillion in annual spending, according to the bank. OneUnited believes African Americans keeping their money in their pockets or spending it with black-owned companies, no matter how big or small will aid in fighting for the change they want.

Blackout Day started in 2015 after a Tumblr user noticed the lack of positive black figures in the media and on social media. After the event launched, organizers decided to make it a monthly event, but some organizers felt it was too frequent, so it was soon changed to a yearly event.

This year’s event is dedicated to the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

“As the largest black-owned bank in America, we’re compelled to play a leadership role to galvanize our community and allies in support of #BlackOutDay2020 and to fight for social justice,” Kevin Cohee, chairman & CEO of OneUnited Bank said in a statement. “We need to use our power—both our spending power, our vote and our voice—to demand criminal justice reform and to address income inequality.”

OneUnited Bank is promoting #BlackOutDay2020 to its 300,000 supporters, shining a light on the movement through social media and providing support to the organizers. In addition to supporting social justice issues, the bank has also helped black-owned businesses secure PPP funding during the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terry Crews Responds to Criticism Over Controversial ‘Black Supremacy’ Tweet
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2020

Terry Crews Responds to Criticism Over Controversial ‘Black Supremacy’ Tweet

Actor and former football player Terry Crews is embroiled in controversy over a social media post he tweeted over the weekend, according to Yahoo Entertainment.

“Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy. Equality is the truth. Like it or not, we are in this together.”

After the above Tweet was sent, Crews started receiving backlash for the comments and he has refused to back down from them. Many people from the world of entertainment responded directly to him to question the post.

Tyler James Williams, who once played Crews’ son on Everybody Hates Chris, responded to Crews, saying: “Terry, brother, I know your heart and you know I have love for you and always will. No one is calling 4 black supremacy & the narrative that we are hurts our cause & our people. We’re just vigorously vetting our ‘allies’ because time & time again they have failed us in the past.”

To which Crews’ responds to his former TV son.

Crews’ responded with two more tweets on the subject.

How Protesters Can Stay Safe During A Viral Pandemic
by Dana Givens

June 9, 2020

How Protesters Can Stay Safe During A Viral Pandemic

The viral videos detailing the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd at the hands of law enforcement officials and vigilantes have sparked protests all over the country and the world calling for an end to police brutality, The protests have attracted thousands to march in the streets despite the country still being in the midst of a public health crisis. The ongoing viral outbreak has caused many to stay inside despite the desire to join protesters in their fight against racial injustice.

“I was pretty hesitant to go out and protest,” Allison Lane, 34, a Washington, D.C-based bartender and podcaster told Consumer Reports. Lane says she broke her quarantine to join in the protest on Sunday night. “We spent all this time trying not to get COVID—now we probably have it.”

It’s too early to say whether or not the number of COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, cases will rise due to the protests. Some health officials say the large gatherings of people may spread the disease among the massive demonstrations.

“Gathering in large groups could increase the risk of coronavirus transmission, but that risk needs to be considered in the context of the very real health impacts of systemic racism and police brutality, which require action,” says Julia Marcus, Ph.D., an infectious disease epidemiologist and assistant professor in the department of population medicine at Harvard Medical School to Consumer Reports.

Experts say that protesters should continue to wear face masks and try to social distance if possible. Health officials are also concerned about how police tactics may contribute to the spread of the virus as well. warning protesters to leave the area immediately if tactics such as pepper spray are used.

“Those who are choosing to join the demonstrations are certainly likely to experience tear gas and pepper spray,” says Michele Heisler, M.D., the medical director at Physicians for Human Rights and a professor of internal medicine and public health at the University of Michigan to Consumer Reports.

 

by Derek Major

June 9, 2020

Black Economic Alliance PAC Endorses Jamie Harrison For U.S. Senate

The Black Economic Alliance PAC, a nonpartisan group of business leaders, announced its endorsement for Jaime Harrison, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in South Carolina.

BEA Executive Director David Clunie released a statement Monday endorsing Harrison as a strong leader the group can trust to make the right choices.

“America is in dire need of strong leadership to move our country toward justice. We must use the power of the vote to elect leaders like Jamie Harrison,” Clunie said. “His commitment to growing the middle class, ending poverty and bolstering South Carolina’s education system so it can compete in a 21st century economy are critical to close the economic divide and level the playing field for black Americans.”

“Jamie’s lifelong dedication to economically empowering black communities makes him a candidate we can trust to make the right choices. Whether it’s expanding the earned income tax credit for families or unburdening students saddled with student loan debt, Jamie knows firsthand what kind of support families need because he has worked hard to uplift himself and those around him his entire career.”

Harrison served as the chair of the South Carolina Democratic Party from 2013 to 2017 and is an associate chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Harrison is currently running against Sen. Lindsey Graham and Harrison’s campaign brought in a total of $7.2 million in the first three months of 2020, while Graham brought in nearly $5.6 million.
Although Harrison’s numbers for the first quarter outpaced Graham’s, the senator has raised more since the beginning of the cycle, raising $6 million more than Harrison.
“The Black Economic Alliance PAC supports Jaime Harrison for U.S. Senate because he is committed to ending the systemic inequities that have widened the wealth gap between Black South Carolinians and their counterparts. A vote for Jaime Harrison this November means more than just casting your ballot—it’s an investment in South Carolina’s future.” Clunie added.
by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

June 9, 2020

Utah Suspends Defensive Coordinator Morgan Scalley For Using Racial Slur in 2013 Text

Utah has announced that they have suspended defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley due to a 2013 text that contained a racist slur, according to Sports Illustrated.

Utah Utes athletics director Mark Harlan announced the suspension last week on social media. “The use of any form of racist language is not only antithetical to our policies and our values, but it is an affront to all of us, especially our African-American community members,” he stated.

“On Wednesday night I was made aware of a social media post that referenced a 2013 text message that included racist language, sent by our football program’s defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley,” Harlan said in a statement. “I initiated conversations with our campus partners, including President Watkins, and we agreed to have outside firm review this matter to seek further details and determine whether this was an isolated incident.

“Coach Scalley and I have spoken. He is very contrite and acknowledged that the text was sent and that it did include a derogatory and painful word.”

“In 2013 I made a terrible mistake,” Scalley said in a written statement released by the school. “I used a racial slur in a text message. This language is offensive and hurtful to not only the African-American community, but to all. Immediately after sending it, I apologized to the recipient and his family. I am also heartbroken over the potential breach of trust with my fellow coaches, and with the young men in our program, both past and present.”

Former Utes defensive back Ryan Lacy alleged on Twitter that Scalley called him a racial slur in 2008.

Scalley has been an assistant at Utah for 13 seasons. He once played safety for the school and joined the football program in an administrative role in 2006 after he stopped playing professionally in 2004.

by Derek Major

June 9, 2020

Financial Educator Ash Cash Fuses Hip Hop and Finance in Daily Live Show

One of the nation’s top financial educators is helping African Americans with a hip-hop-inspired daily digital personal finance show.

According to Black News, The Ash Cash Show, hosted by Ash Exantus aka Ash Cash, livestreams on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Periscope, Twitch, and Instagram Monday through Friday at 8 a.m. eastern. It is then released as a podcast.

The show focuses on personal finance and empowering people to achieve financial freedom and build wealth. Exantus told Black News he believes between the widespread unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of the economy, a financial voice is needed.

“I once heard, when the country catches a cold, black folks get pneumonia and with the current coronavirus pandemic, this has been nothing but facts!” Exantus told Black News.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit African Americans harder than other races, both physically and financially.

“This is not a fire drill! Those who are blessed with knowledge have an obligation to give that knowledge to those who need it the most, said Exantus, who is dubbed as the Hip Hop Financial Motivator, on Friday during a live broadcast of The Ash Cash Show.

Exantus, whose first show was in September 2015, has also written eight books on financial matters from repairing credit to financial inspiration from Jay-Z’s 4:44 album.

According to Robert Fairlie, an economics professor at the University of California, 450,000 African American business owners have closed their stores since the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. One of the reasons for the steep decline is because beauty salons, barbershops, daycare centers, taxi services, and clubs make up a significant portion of African American-owned businesses. All of these industries have either had to completely shut down or have had to operate at a highly reduced capacity.

“We already have disparities. African Americans have the lowest business-ownership rate in the population. …And so here we’re creating a situation of closures that’s hitting the groups with the lowest rates even harder,” Fairlie told The Washington Post.

Comcast Announces $100 Million Multiyear Plan To Combat Racial Injustice
by Dana Givens

June 9, 2020

Comcast Announces $100 Million Multiyear Plan To Combat Racial Injustice

Since the uprising of protests all over the country and the world, many corporations have been forced to make public statements regarding the current state of events surrounding racial violence. Media conglomerate, Comcast, announced today that it will also be joining in the fight with a $100 million pledge to combat racial injustice across the nation in partnership with nonprofit organizations.

In a press statement, CEO Brian Roberts explained the company will divide the donation to cover essential areas in the advancement of social justice including digital equity, awareness, and education.

“Last Sunday, I wrote to you to express my outrage over the far too familiar and frequent acts of violence against the Black community, and to acknowledge the structural racism that fuels these injustices,” said Roberts in a press statement.

“I’ve spoken with many employees—as have our leaders across Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal and Sky—and we have begun to mobilize as a company. While we recognize we don’t have all the answers, we agree it’s time that we start putting our words into real, sustainable action.”

In the statement, Roberts goes to say that Craig Robinson, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer for NBCUniversal, will be leading these efforts to “create sustainable programs within their businesses and will be proactively soliciting ideas from employees so that we can build this effort together.”

“To that end, we are developing a comprehensive, multiyear plan to allocate $100 million to fight injustice and inequality against any race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or ability,” he continued.

“There will be $75 million in cash and $25 million in media that will be distributed over the next three years, in addition to the existing commitments our company currently makes to thousands of organizations supporting underrepresented communities through our Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation and social impact programs.

 

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