Stevie Wonder, Rep. Ayanna Presley, Rev. Al Sharpton and More to Pay Tribute to Malcolm X’s Birthday
May 19 marks what would have been Malcolm X’s 95th birthday. The legendary activist became a driving force in the civil rights movement and was the face of resistance against an oppressive system that believed blacks did not deserve the same rights as others in this country. Today, his legacy lives on in his famous speeches and contributions that greatly benefited the African American community. To honor the slain cultural icon, a number of black leaders including Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Rev. Al Sharpton, Common, Angela Davis, and many more will come together for a virtual celebration.
A full-day special event titled “A Tribute In Word and Sound” will Tuesday at 10 a.m. eST, featuring professor, author, and activist IIyasah Shabazz, the daughter of Malcolm X, who will lead a discussion on “Black Women Leading the Revolution.” The discussion will be broadcast from the Shabazz Center starting at 3 p.m. EST. Hip-hop legend Pete Rock will also lead a special DJ tribute starting at 4 p.m. through Instagram Live following the discussion.
“As the global community strives to endure this time of crisis, the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center remains committed to advancing our rich legacy of human rights and social change,” said Shabazz in a press statement.
“We are excited to join together with so many great artists, activists, and community leaders to celebrate my father’s 95th birthday, honor his lasting impact, and create a safe space that inspires and uplifts scholarship, joy and resilience in both our children and larger communities.”
Viewers will be able to join the virtual celebration through the Shabazz Center’s Facebook and Instagram in addition to its website.
Dr. Natasha Sandy Is a Firm Believer in Manifestation So She Guards Her Thoughts Carefully
Featuring a broad cross-section of women who have distinguished themselves across a rich variety of careers, our Portraits of Power series is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Black Enterprise, and of black women. It’s a place for today’s businesswomen to share their own favorite images and their own stories, in their own words. Today’s portrait is internationally recognized physician Dr. Natasha Sandy.
My first job was as a cytogeneticist at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
My big break came when I treated Charlamagne tha God and he shared his skincare journey and wellness experience with his radio audience on his nationally syndicated morning show, The Breakfast Club.
It has been my mission to encourage people to understand that good health is a 360 process. We need to take a holistic approach to dermatology and making the connection between diet, exercise, and mental health.
I’ve had to work hardest at …
1) Training my mind to focus on possibilities, ignoring all that appears to be obstacles.
2) Staying in constant APPRECIATION, not gratitude. Gratitude comes from a place of lack. For me, APPRECIATION comes from knowing that all that is happening in my life, wanted and unwanted, is part of my life’s creating process.
I never imagined I would have two private practices in two cities, patients traveling from all over the world for treatment, repeated appearances on Dr. OZ’s show, international recognition. I visualized being successful and have been a firm believer in manifestation. Even as a small child I saw it. What I never imagined was the journey to get here.
I wish I’d learned sooner that in life, there is no assertion, it’s all attraction. Everything in my life I manifest, so I must guard my thoughts and focus carefully. 2) Do not place value in what ANYONE thinks about you, good or bad. We have no control over what others think and our lives will not be ours if we try to.
The risk I regret not taking is going on Shark Tank with my product line.
If I could design my fantasy self-care day, it would be spent with NO CELL PHONE! Morning 30 minute meditation; walk or run in the woods or on a beach; neuromuscular massage; float therapy for an hour. Go to lunch or cook with all my friends and family with pure laughter. Take a nap, meditate again, read. Go out dancing (especially reggae or soca) with friends and family. Oh! And who could forget ending my day snuggling with my sweetheart.
All the things I want to create in life keep me up at night.
When I’m struggling, I say to myself, the answer is within you. You are connected to the Source. Quiet your mind and feel for the guidance.
I am unapologetically ME! The most important understanding is one of self and self is always evolving yet whole and complete.
Portraits of Power is a yearlong series of candid insights from exceptional women leaders. It is brought to you by ADP.
Ebay Donates Nearly $10 Million For Domestic and International COVID-19 Relief Efforts
Since the start of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic, many major corporations have stepped up to offer their services and big donations to help marginalized communities impacted by the viral outbreak. Now eBay has become the latest corporation to step up to help combat the economic devastation caused by the public health crisis.
This week eBay Foundation announced they would be offering $10 million in grants to support COVID-19 relief around the world. The foundation has since tripled its grantmaking efforts from last year and this week’s announcement would be the largest funding round in the foundation’s history. This generous effort comes at a critical time when small businesses are on the verge of collapse and the rest of the country is suffering from massive job loss.
“As we navigate our ‘new normal’ amid COVID-19, we all hear — and say — what an unprecedented time this is, and that is undoubtedly true,” said Allie Ottoboni, president, eBay Foundation in a press statement. “And so, we felt it was critical to meet the moment and provide an unprecedented level of funding from the eBay Foundation to underrepresented entrepreneurs and small businesses who make our communities what they are.”
“eBay has been an important partner to us over the years as we’ve partnered on employee lending initiatives,” said Neville Crawley, CEO of Kiva. “We are thrilled and incredibly proud to receive this additional funding from eBay, which comes at a crucial time for small businesses and entrepreneurs around the world needing necessary funds due to COVID-19.”
“This incredibly generous grant from the eBay Foundation will help save small businesses on the front lines of this unparalleled crisis,” said Jennifer DaSilva, executive director, Start Small Think Big in a press statement. “With eBay’s support, Start Small Think Big will be able to ensure that small businesses, who are so often left behind, have critical access to the services they need the most now.”
Dems Propose Bill to Give Americans Over Age 16 $2,000 Each Month For Up to a Year
A bill introduced to Congress and drafted by Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Tim Ryan (D-OH) would give Americans over the age of 16 coronavirus stimulus payments of up to $2,000 each month for at least six months.
According to Yahoo Finance, the bill, known as the Emergency Money for the People Act, would guarantee qualifying Americans over 16 years old, $2000 a month for at least six months. The bill would also guarantee another six months of payments if the employment-to-population ratio for people 16 and older stays below the pre-coronavirus level of 60%. The bill would also provide an extra $500 per month for every child in a household up to three children.
Additionally, the payments would not count as income, so they would not affect the eligibility for any income-based federal or state government assistance programs.
The qualifications to receive money under the bill are much broader than the current CARES Act qualifications. To receive payments under the Emergency Money for the People Act, one would have to be a citizen or resident of the U.S. and at least 16 years old as of Jan. 1, 2020.
The citizenship or residency requirement would be satisfied if a person is physically present in the U.S. continuously since Jan. 27, 2020, and stays in the U.S. throughout the payment period.
The bill would also provide payments to college students and adults with disabilities even if they are claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. The bill will also allow people to get paid through direct deposit, check, pre-paid debit card, or even mobile money platforms such as Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal.
The coronavirus has decimated the U.S. job market as more than 30 million Americans are now unemployed.
The bill still has a long way to go as Republicans have been wary of another coronavirus stimulus payment, instead opting to reopen states and the economy. The HEROES Act, which passed the House last week has been classified as dead on arrival by Republicans. This bill is likely to be viewed the same.
United Airlines Names Brett J. Hart President During Turbulent Times in the Airline Industry
The airline industry is experiencing turbulent times amid the global pandemic. While many are wondering what the future of flying is going to look like post-COVID-19, United Airlines is ready to soar to new heights.
United Airlines Holdings Inc. recently announced that Brett J. Hart, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, as the newly appointed president of the company as a part of its continuity plan as current CEO Oscar Munoz transitions to executive chair and current President Scott Kirby becomes CEO following the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on May 20, 2020.
Over the span of his career, Hart has led at companies such as Sara Lee Corp. where he was executive vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary. Prior to that, he was a partner at Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal in Chicago and served as the special assistant to the general counsel at the U.S. Department of Treasury in Washington, D.C. Hart serves on the board of directors for Abbvie. He is also active in several philanthropic organizations, including serving on the boards of the Obama Foundation Inclusion Council, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, University of Chicago, Northwestern Medicine and is chair of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority Board.
For the last decade, Hart has served throughout the company in various leadership roles. In 2015, he served as interim CEO for six months while Oscar Munoz who is the current CEO recovered from a heart transplant. Fast forward five years, Hart is being called higher. As president, Hart will lead United’s public advocacy strategy including the Government Affairs, Corporate Communications, Legal, and Community Engagement teams. He will also continue to oversee business-critical functions like the Corporate Real Estate team and manage United’s industry-leading environmental sustainability efforts. His responsibilities will expand to include managing the Human Resources and Labor Relations teams.
In a statement released by United’s Munoz, he said, “Brett is a well-established and widely respected leader who has established a strong track record, over the last decade, helping United navigate complex challenges across all areas of our business,” Munoz said. “He is recognized inside and outside of the airline industry for his leadership and has played a central role in shaping our strategy, culture and leading our community engagement around the world.”
United Airlines Holdings Inc. also shared that Hart’s promotion reflects their commitment to leadership continuity and underscores the value of leveraging Hart’s regulatory and strategic expertise, which complement Kirby’s strong commercial acumen and industry experience.
“Working closely with Brett over the last 3 years, I have seen first-hand his thoughtful and intellectually rigorous approach to navigating the complex environment in which we operate and effectively implementing our business strategy,” added Kirby. “The leadership Brett has shown as we have managed the current crisis reinforces the conclusion I reached last year: Brett is exactly the leader that United needs right now to take on the role of President.”
During these unprecedented times, Hart, Munoz, and Kirby will forgo their salary as leaders. Nevertheless, Hart shares in the excitement with Munoz and Kirby about leading at United as said, “I am honored and energized as I take on these new responsibilities to lead this incredible team that I am convinced will build United into a thriving industry leader,” Hart said. “The path forward will not be easy, but I am confident that Scott and I will continue our partnership to lead United through the extraordinary challenge posed by COVID-19. United’s bright future is only possible because of the commitment of the most talented airline professionals in the world who serve United and our customers every single day – and I could not be prouder of them.”
Michael Jordan’s Signature 1985 Nike Air Jordans Auctioned for a Record-Breaking $560,000
Even after retiring from professional basketball 17 years ago, NBA Hall of Famer Michael Jordan is still setting records.
Sotheby’s announced that Jordan’s first edition of his 1985 Nike Air Jordan sneakers has been sold for a record-breaking $560,000. The Game-worn autographed Nike Air Jordan 1s set the world auction record for a pair of sneakers. The previous record set at Sotheby’s for the Nike 1972 Nike Waffle Racing Flat ‘Moon Shoe’ sold for $437,500 in July 2019. The footwear sharply exceeded more than 3.5 times the $150,000 estimate.
“Building off the momentum from our debut sneaker sale last year, which previously set the record for a pair of sneakers with the Nike Moon Shoe, we wanted to set the bar even higher for our second sneaker sale,” said Brahm Wachter, Sotheby’s director of eCommerce Development, in a written statement. “We saw tremendous bidding up until the moment the sale closed, with the value more than doubling in the final hour alone. That coupled with strong international bidding from six countries on four continents shows not only the incredible appeal of Michael Jordan as one of the most recognizable and legendary athletes of all time but also that sneaker collecting is truly a global and growing market.”
During the final 20 minutes of the auction, the bidding war drove the value up by $300,000. Bidders had ranged from the age of 19 to over 50 who participated across four continents, with 70% of bidders new to Sotheby’s.
The immensely popular sneaker was so successful that Nike continued to make new signature Air Jordans each season. Even today, fans and sneakerheads around the world still flood stores and online retailers upon the release of new Air Jordans as well as reissues of previously released Air Jordans.
The allure of Jordan has been on display lately due to the much-talked-about and highly rated sports documentary, The Last Dance, that has been airing on ESPN for the past several weeks. The docu-series, which chronicles how Jordan led the Chicago Bulls’ quest to win a sixth NBA championship, also set a record, becoming the most viewed program in ESPN history after the two premiere episodes averaged 6.1 million viewers.
Restaurant and Bar Owners Say Social Distancing Could Destroy The Industry
The restaurant industry has been in shambles in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now states like Georgia and others in the South have started to pull back their stay-at-home restrictions to let businesses reopen to get the economy started. However, entrepreneurs worry that social distancing might not just change restaurant culture, it could completely wipe out the industry.
“If you talk to restaurants across the globe, the language might change, but the math is the same,” Ryan Pernice, owner of three restaurants based out of Georgia, told CNN Business. “Restaurants and bars need volume and traffic to make them work.” The restaurant owner went on to say that his restaurants have been closed since March 16 and will remain so out of concern for his health and the health of his employees, according to CNN.
Restaurant owners and managers around the country are at odds with decisions on whether or not they can reopen and wonder if their businesses will survive under social distancing. Due to thin margins, eateries and bars would be forced to ensure that the venue is packed every night, including weekends to stay out of the red.
“There will be no profits for us while we are social distancing,” said Blaiss Nowak, another Georgia-based restaurateur who has already reopened his restaurant. “There are a great amount of restaurants that I’ve heard will never open again.”
Other restaurant owners have stated that they will remain closed instead of opening with reduced seating. In places like New York, where the stay-at-home order is still in places, companies like the Union Square Hospitality Group have laid off nearly 2,000 people in March alone. The company’s CEO, Danny Meyer, said last week that he doesn’t expect customers to return until a vaccine is found and it’s uncertain when that will happen.
“There is no interest or excitement on my part to having a half-full dining room while everyone is getting their temperature taken and wearing masks, for not much money,” Meyer told Bloomberg News. “With social distancing now becoming the new normal, it’s hard to say if restaurant culture will even return to its former glory.”
Nick Cannon Graduates From Howard University With A Degree In Criminology
There’s more to Nick Cannon than “Wild ‘N Out.”
The host of multiple TV shows, Cannon, 39, has just graduated from Howard University and he proudly tweeted his accomplishment.
“I graduated from Howard University @howarduniversity1867 today! Received a degree in Criminology/Administration of Justice and a minor in Africana Studies! Had the opportunity to speak at the virtual ceremony, Masters and Ph.D. is next! #HU2020,” he tweeted along with a video of himself wearing his cap and gown.
He also spoke during a Howard University virtual graduation ceremony of his intentions to earn his master’s degree and Ph.D. next.
Back in 2016, the “Drumline” actor announced that he had enrolled at the HBCU. He tweeted at the time, “Nelson Mandela once said, ‘Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,’ and with that said I have officially enrolled at Howard University.”
He continued, “I am always seeking new challenges and continual growth and decided to obtain my first college degree from an institution that had a proven legacy of producing great minds. I have friends, mentors and colleagues who attended Howard University. I look forward to this new journey in my life and am excited about the possibilities ahead.”
Cannon has a lot of things on his plate. Besides hosting “Wild ‘N Out,” “Lip Sync Battle Shorties,” and “The Masked Singer,” he is also gearing up for the release of his upcoming documentary.
“Strong Enemies: The Untold Case of Dr. Sebi” is about controversial natural healer Dr. Sebi who claimed to have the cure for AIDS, Revolt TV reported. Hip-hop artist and community activist Nipsey Hussle had started the documentary prior to his death. Cannon vowed to see the project to completion.
Cannon also has a nationally syndicated daytime talk show coming up in September. He recently signed on as the morning host at Power 106FM in L.A. as well as agreeing to the third season of “Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon,” Hip Hop Vibe reported. Cannon previously hosted “America’s Got Talent.”
On top of all of this, Cannon opened a vegan soul food restaurant in Los Angeles at the end of April. The VTree Hollywood is located inside the 100-year-old Japanese restaurant Yamashiro, according to Vegan News.
For the restaurant venture, Cannon partnered with acclaimed plant-based chef Chef Velvet. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, VTree Hollywood is only offering curbside orders and take-out for now, Black Enterprise reported. Chef Velvet has a popular vegan restaurant called Veltree in Charlotte, NC.
“My goal is to be the most powerful person in the media,” Cannon said in a statement announcing his new venture. “Being able to have a multi-platform empire is really what I have been focusing on. Create household legacies and brands, from radio to digital to daily television. I just feel like I can really do things (that) no one else has ever done before.”
Zooming in on possible VCs is only the tip of the iceberg. You’ll need to focus on creating a winning pitch to get your startup noticed by the right VC for your startup.
Here are six tips you can follow to make sure you’re as ready as you can be to face those investors.
Make sure your startup has what VCs are looking for
Some VCs will tell you on their website what they’re looking for in your investment pitch, but as a general minimum, you’ll need to know at least the following:
First, customers. Depending on the nature of your startup, your customer base can be very broad or very niche. This matters to VCs because they want to see what the market potential for your business might be.
Don’t worry if you have a niche market—many businesses thrive and dominate their niches. Let VCs see that your startup can do just that and even has the capacity to expand into future markets if applicable.
Next, VCs will be looking for your Minimum Viable Offer (MVO). This is an offer, many times a prototype or beta version, that provides the least amount of benefits to merit a sale from your target customers. This doesn’t have to be perfect—it only has to show VCs that you can solve a very specific problem for customers extremely well.
Yet another thing you’ll want to iron out is your founding team. Knowing your founding team also helps you craft your startup’s story. Why were you founded? What made all of you come together? What makes this team potential leaders for a growing business?
Last but not least, if applicable, talk about any existing employees you already have or plans for the kinds of employees you want to hire once fully funded.
If you’re on a tight budget, you might be able to save money by working with remote workers around the world—just figure out the logistics of how to work with them and pay them accordingly through different payment sending platforms.
Include details like this in your pitch to show prospects how much you’ve thought out your startup operations.
Build a pitch deck and presentation
You’ll need to design a beautiful and clear pitch deck to help you illustrate compelling points, data, and numbers that VCs have to pay attention to. Refer to this post to see what information you can use to help you build out your pitch deck.
As a general rule of thumb, remember these tips:
Start your pitch by illustrating a problem, then introduce your startup as the solution.
Use charts and graphs to highlight statistics and data best.
Include projections visually and be sure to know how you came up with those numbers.
Keep the deck branded. As early as now, you can show VCs that you’ve got a brand that’s waiting to reach the hands of your customers.
Perfect your elevator pitch
Your elevator pitch is the one-liner explanation of what unmet need your startup aims to solve in the world. This is a statement you’ll want to have when you introduce your startup as a solution to the problems you’ve enumerated in your pitch.
This helps VCs understand in a very succinct way what it is your startup does. But it also holds another use: in case your meeting or pitch is cut short, an elevator pitch makes sure you can relay your startup’s purpose in as little time as possible.
Look into the right VC
Getting the right VC is often like getting a role at a TV audition; sometimes it’s just about the right fit.
Don’t take it too personally if you get a rejection from what you thought was a promising VC. Many times, investors are looking for specific startups, either in a certain industry or with certain values.
Consider this an opportunity: if you find the perfect VC, you’ll also benefit from their ability to meet your startup’s specific needs.
Send proposals to a few prospects at a time
As a rule of thumb, treat your startup proposal like a job application. You don’t want to keep all your eggs in the same basket, so send out proposals to a few prospective investors at a time.
Only move on to new VCs once you’ve heard from all your prospects.
Trust the process
In this interview with Rand Fishkin, founder of software companies Moz and SparkToro, he mentions that early-stage failure in his first startup helped him to get monumental success in his business later on.
We can learn from Fishkin’s experience, and treat the VC pitching process as feedback. If your proposal is rejected right from the onset, try to gather why you didn’t even make it to the pitching stage. If your pitch is turned down, try to ask prospects what they were looking for that you simply didn’t provide.
All these can only strengthen your future pitches to future VCs. So trust the process.
Key Takeaways
Getting your pitch accepted by investors can be a difficult process, but if you’re equipped with the right tools, mindset, and information, it doesn’t have to be. Follow the tips above to boost your chances of getting your pitch noticed by VCs.
