• News

by Derek Major

May 16, 2020

‘Trump Death Clock’ In Times Square Grim Reminder Of Preventable Coronavirus Deaths

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A digital billboard in Times Square showing the number of deaths related to President Donald Trump’s slow coronavirus response, reached a grave milestone on Wednesday, as it ticked over to an estimated 50,000 preventable deaths.

According to Yahoo Finance, the “Trump Death Clock” projects the number of deaths that could have been prevented had social distancing measures been implemented earlier.

Eugene Jarecki, the sign’s creator, said the counter was created with the same “symbolic spirit” as the National Debt Clock, which already hangs in New York City. The Death Clock measures “the cost in human lives of President Trump and his team’s reckless handling of the coronavirus pandemic,” Jarecki told Yahoo.

Science and health experts began warning the Trump Administration of the coronavirus pandemic in January. The warnings fell on deaf ears, however, as Trump called the coronavirus a Democratic hoax.

Trump continued to downplay the coronavirus at the end of February, and even into March he compared it to “the common flu.”

As U.S. coronavirus deaths reached 85,00 Wednesday, the death clock showed more than 57,000 deaths could’ve been prevented. Jarecki said instead of saving lives, the president played politics and the counter reflects that.

“Reports show that as early as January, the president was advised by both his own experts and the intelligence services of the need for urgent measures against the spread of the virus,” Jarecki wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post. “Instead, he engaged in pretty political feuds and pollyannish predictions minimizing its significance. Finally, on March 16, he reversed his previously dismissive stance and announced ‘new guidelines for every American to follow.'”

By March 16, the U.S. was leading the world in the infection rate, major sports had been cancelled for almost a week and the stock market was falling fast.

Jarecki told Yahoo, he hopes “the lives already unnecessarily lost demand we seek more responsible crisis leadership.

“Just as the names of fallen soldiers are etched on memorials to remind us of the cost of war, quantifying the lives lost to the president’s delayed coronavirus response would serve a vital public function,” he added.

In addition to almost 100,000 deaths, the coronavirus pandemic has killed ten years of job growth in one month and put many minorities and low-income Americans at risk of losing their lives.

• News

by Derek Major

May 16, 2020

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Says Reopening State Would Treat Black and Brown People Like Guinea Pigs

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The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus has sent a letter to Gov. Ralph Northam saying the move to reopen Virginia would be treating black and brown people like “guinea pigs for our economy.”

According to NewsOne, Virginia is slowly reopening the state with the first phase occurring on Friday. However, the black caucus believes the state doesn’t have the necessary testing capacity and infrastructure to safely reopen without putting minorities at an unfair risk.

“Throughout our country’s history, Black and Brown people have been experimented on and used as unwilling test subjects before — we cannot allow that to be repeated here,” the letter states.

In many states across the country including Virginia, African Americans and minorities are dying at a faster rate than white Americans.

Minorities are at a higher risk of being infected and dying of coronavirus due to low-wage jobs that don’t allow them to telecommute. Additionally, low-wage workers have to interact with strangers as part of their job.

Northam said his decision to open the state is based on positive trends in key metrics related to the virus’ spread, like testing capacity and hospital readiness. At a press conference on Wednesday, Northam downplayed the state’s reopening saying, “Phase one represents a small step forward.”

After two weeks of debate by state lawmakers, Northam’s plan will reopen retail businesses with limited capacity. Barbershops and hair salons will be by appointment only and both customers and employees have to wear face masks. Restaurants will continue to allow delivery orders and bowling alleys, theme parks, gyms, and beaches in the state will remain closed.

Northam’s spokesperson, Alena Yarmosky, told reporters the governor is “absolutely committed to moving forward in a gradual manner that protects all Virginians, particularly low-income individuals, essential workers, and communities of color.”

However, Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax has asked Northam to create a task force to track racial disparities in coronavirus pandemic in the state.

Some African American business owners have decided to stay closed, even as their states begin to open. Rapper Killer Mike, who owns several barbershops in Atlanta, said in April that even though Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said Atlanta businesses could reopen, he would keep his shops closed.

“As a citizen in the community where people look like me, I’m choosing to stay closed because I don’t want to endanger [anybody],” he said in April. “And a lot of times, politicians have different views of things. I think governors and mayors should all get on the phone together because as your constituents, we need you to do that.”

• Health and Wellness

by Selena Hill

May 15, 2020

Octavia Spencer: ‘It’s Okay to be Anxious’ During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Octavia Spencer is one of many Hollywood stars stepping up to help those in need amid the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Last month, she announced a partnership with Mikucare, a baby monitor manufacturer, to donate monitors to COVID-19 patients at nursing and medical facilities in Alabama and New York. Now the Oscar-winning actress is helping people struggling with anxiety in wake of the public health pandemic.

The Help star teamed up with the Child Mind Institute to participate in their #WeThriveInside campaign. In a video, Spencer shares advice on how she takes care of her mental health during the pandemic.

“It’s okay to be anxious,” she says. “This is a very traumatic thing that we’re all experiencing and we’re doing that together. It’s also very good to go on walks, remaining socially physically distant, but getting a little exercise and vitamin D will also release endorphins and you feel a lot better.”

Launched on May 1, the Child Mind Institute’s #WeThriveInside has enlisted a number of stars to share coping strategies and mental and emotional health resources in homemade videos in honor of National Mental Health Awareness Month. Participants include Child Mind Institute board member Emma Stone, Jonah Hill, Misty Copeland, Jameela Jamil, Julia Michaels, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Many of the celebrities shared personal experiences and offered words of inspiration to help those dealing with isolation, fear, and anxiety.

“In these uncertain and uniquely stressful times, it is critical for families – and especially children – to know that they are not alone,” said Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, president of the Child Mind Institute, in a statement. “#WeThriveInside not only offers support and encouragement, it points parents to critical, evidence-based resources that can help millions of families better navigate unprecedented challenges. Most of us are struggling, but we can help each other discover new ways not just to persevere, but to thrive and grow from this experience.”

Watch Spencer’s video below.

• Entrepreneurship

by Selena Hill

May 15, 2020

Twitter CEO Backs Mayvenn’s #SaveTheSalon Campaign to Give $500 to Struggling Hair Stylists

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The global COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, hitting black communities across the country the hardest. As a result, hair salons and barbershops, which are staples in the African American community, are suffering in unprecedented ways. According to Mayvenn.com, black consumers spend over $10 billion each year for haircare products and salon services. However, many of these small businesses are facing economic hardships due to mandatory closures and state-ordered stay-at-home measures.

To help struggling stylists, Mayvenn, a black-owned tech company that empowers hairstylists in the African American community, launched the #SaveTheSalon campaign via GoFundMe. The goal is to raise $2 million and distributed $500 each to 4,000 Mayvenn stylists.

“We recognize the overall cracks in our economic systems often put black stylists into vulnerable positions, with or without COVID-19,” said Diishan Imira, the founder and CEO of Mayvenn, in a statement. “Mayvenn is exploring not only how to support stylists in this difficult moment, but to be a better partner in the long term.”

A number of philanthropists are backing the #SaveTheSalon campaign, including Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s #startsmall initiative, donors Ben and Felicia Horowitz, Libra/the Pritzker Family, and The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. Each has pledged to donate $10 for every $1 raised by the community up to $1 million. Mayvenn, itself, has committed to donating $100,000.

“Helping stylists is at the core of who we are and what our mission has been since day one. I take it as a personal responsibility to do what I can for the stylist community during this crisis,” said Imira. “This money is coming to them at a critical moment, and we’re asking for the support of the community to raise the rest so we can continue to provide this much-needed assistance.”

Founded in 2012, Mayvenn uses technology to help generate revenue for stylists by connecting them with new clients and helping them sell products. According to the statement, Mayvenn has paid out over $20 million in commissions and booking income to stylists over the past five years.

“These are difficult times for all of us. But in difficult times, we find opportunities to come together, support each other, and make it through,” said Imira, adding, “Hairstylists make us look and feel good so that we can tackle the world with confidence—now, it’s our turn to give them that same energy.”

Mayvenn, which is valued at $111 million, raised $36 million as of 2019 from a number of investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Essence Ventures, Serena Williams, Steve Stoute, Andre Iguodala, Jimmy Irvine, Cross Culture Ventures, Trinity Ventures, Impact America, and Core VC.

The coronavirus may prevent the class of 2020 from walking across a stage to accept a diploma, but it won’t stop a host of high-profile figures from giving the graduates the tribute they deserve. In addition to hearing from former President Barack Obama at the national HBCU Commencement celebration on Saturday, the grads will party with legendary rapper Nas and hip-hop artist A$AP Ferg at DJ D-Nice’s virtual after party.

Starting at 2 pm EST on May 16, more than 20,000 HBCU students will participate in the “Show Me Your Walk HBCU Edition” online commencement celebration presented by JPMorgan Chase and hosted by Kevin Hart. Along with Obama, Steve Harvey, NBA All-Stars Chris Paul and Vince Carter, Debbie Allen, and Vivica A. Fox will share special messages to congratulate the grads. Anthony Hamilton, Wyclef Jean, Omari Hardwick, and other musical guests will also perform, while Doug E. Fresh will lead a drumline mash-up.

Following the star-studded virtual affair, D-Nice will kick off the official #HBCUGradParty, sponsored by Hennessy and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), starting at 9 p.m. ET on Instagram Live. The party will serve to highlight and raise funds for graduates and their institutions, according to a press release sent to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

This is not the first time that Hennessy and TMCF teamed up to empower HBCUs and their students. Last year, the cognac brand announced the $10 million Hennessy Fellows program, which aims to serve as a pipeline between HBCU students to become C-suite leaders through financial assistance, access, and experiences. Hennessy and TMCF also plan to launch an online academy as a learning resource for Hennessy Fellows and students over 21 attending publicly-supported HBCUs.

“What is truly groundbreaking about this partnership is that it is the first-ever graduate program with TMCF to benefit HBCUs,” reads the press release. “Most scholarships focus on undergraduate education, making post-grad level degrees unattainable to those who rely on scholarships and financial assistance.”

It continues. “For this reason, Hennessy has partnered with TMCF to design a program that identifies graduate students with leadership potential at HBCUs, and nurture and develop talent in such a way that these students will be well-positioned to take on corporate leadership roles.”

Former President Barack Obama responded to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling him classless for giving his opinion on Trump’s pandemic response. Obama took to Twitter to tell McConnell and other Republicans to make better policy decisions.

Obama’s post included a Vox article describing seven methods health experts say can help beat coronavirus and save the economy.

“Despite all the time that’s been lost, we can still make real progress against the virus, protect people from the economic fallout,” Obama’s post stated. “And more safely approach something closer to normal if we start making better policy decisions now.”

According to Essence, Obama’s comments come days after McConnell said that he found it “classless” for Obama to call Trump’s response to coronavirus “an absolute chaotic disaster.”

“I think President Obama should’ve kept his mouth shut,” the Senate Majority Leader told Lara Trump on Team Trump Online. “I think it’s a little bit classless, frankly, to critique an administration that comes after you.” He added, “You had your shot. You were there for eight years.”

In the same interview, McConnell also said that the Obama administration “did not leave to this administration any kind of game plan for something like this,” referring to the coronavirus crisis.

However, McConnell was forced to eat his words Thursday after numerous media outlets reported the Obama Administration left the Trump Administration a 69-page playbook with step by step priorities on how to fight a pandemic.

“I was wrong,” McConnell said when asked about his comments during a Fox News interview. “They did leave behind a plan. I clearly made a mistake in that regard.

“As to whether or not the plan was followed and who is the critic and all the rest, I don’t have any observation about that because I don’t know enough about the details of that … to comment on it in any detail,” he added.

Trump and Obama have been going back and forth as the presidential election draws closer. In April, Obama compared Trump’s slow coronavirus response to climate change deniers.

“We’ve seen all too terribly the consequences of those who denied warnings of a pandemic,” Obama wrote on Twitter. “We can’t afford any more consequences of climate denial. All of us, especially young people, have to demand better of our government at every level and vote this fall.”

Trump said in April that he was surprised that Obama did not immediately endorse Joe Biden for president and recently tried to blame Obama for the lack of coronavirus testing in the U.S.

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 15, 2020

Two NFL Players Are Accused of Committing Armed Robbery at South Florida Cookout

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According to The Associated Press, police officers in South Florida are looking for two NFL players after several witnesses accused them of committing an armed robbery at a party earlier this week.

New York Giants cornerback DeAndre Baker, 22, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar, 27, were attending a cookout at a Miramar home Wednesday night when a fight broke out. According to an arrest warrant, Baker then pulled out a handgun and he, Dunbar, and two other men started to rob other people at the party and made away with thousands of dollars in cash, watches, and other valuables, witnesses told investigators.

Police said all four men then fled the home in three separate vehicles: a Mercedes-Benz, a Lamborghini, and a BMW. Witnesses said the vehicles were parked in a way that would make for a quick getaway, leading detectives to believe the robbery was a planned one. Both NFL players are from Miami.

Miramar police issued arrest warrants for both men Thursday on four counts each of armed robbery with a firearm. Baker also faces an additional four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. The residential community is located between Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Baker was one of three first-round draft picks for the Giants last season. He was picked 30th overall out of Georgia. He started 15 out of the 16 games he played in. He recorded 61 tackles with no interceptions. He was the last of the three New York picks in that first round.

“We are aware of the situation. We have been in contact with DeAndre,” the Giants said in a statement. “We have no further comment at this time.”

Dunbar signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent out of Florida in 2015 and then was traded to the Seahawks in March. He had 37 tackles and four interceptions in the 11 games he started in last season.

“We are aware of the situation involving Quinton Dunbar and still gathering information,” the Seahawks said in a statement. “We will defer all further comment to league investigators and local authorities.”

• News

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 15, 2020

Well-Known Houston Gospel Singer Killed by Police Officer Following Scuffle Over Taser

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A well-known Houston gospel singer was killed by a police officer during a traffic stop last week, according to The Houston Press.

Adrian Medearis was stopped by Houston police for allegedly traveling 97 mph in the 11700 block of North Freeway about 1:05 AM on May 8. DWI Task Force Officer J. Ramos attempted to arrest Medearis after failing a sobriety test, which led to a struggle lasting 2-1/2 minutes that was recorded from four different cameras.

As the gospel singer was being handcuffed, he allegedly grabbed the cop’s Taser during the confrontation, forcing the police officer to shoot him when he pointed the weapon at him.

Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo stated that the footage would not be released to the public until Medearis’ family had an opportunity to see it. “Transparency is key, we are willing to release everything once we get through the process but we have a responsibility to the family … not everybody wants their loved one to be in cyberspace for the rest of eternity and their last minute on earth to be public.”

“Our officer did respond based on the violent resistance of Mr. Medearis gaining control of his Taser,” said Acevedo. “What is sad about what occurred this night is that the conduct of Mr. Medearis was not consistent with the man that people knew, the different churches he performed in. The way that his life ended [in] a violent struggle with law enforcement certainly doesn’t define his entire life.”

“We are beyond shocked at the initial accounts of this tragedy,” Medearis’ family said in a statement to NBC News posted by his brother, Audrick. “Unfortunately, there are no public details available regarding the murder of our loved one.”

Initially, Medearis’ family and friends demanded to see the video of the incident. After the Houston Police Department allowed the family to view the video, it was announced that the family has asked not to release the footage.

We met with Mr. Medearis’ family yesterday and reviewed the video evidence with them.

At the end of our meeting, the family asked @houstonpolice to not release the videos, & we will honor their request.

Our thoughts are with everyone involved. https://t.co/Kr42cRugXl

— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) May 13, 2020

Medearis was a local, well-known gospel singer who was the choir director at the Evangelist Temple Church of God In Christ.

The Class of 2020 hit an unexpected roadblock when the novel coronavirus pandemic caused many institutions and companies to close their doors temporarily under the stay-at-home restrictions. Schools ranging from pre-kindergarten to college campuses have been forced to shut down and to cancel large scale events such as graduations. However, the pandemic didn’t stop two twin sisters from Milwaukee from a truly remarkable feat when it comes to their college admissions.

Sisters Arianna and Airelle Williams broke the internet this week when news hit that they had both been accepted into 38 colleges each while raking in more than $1 million in scholarship funding. The two seniors from Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy graduated at the top of their class with the two highest GPAs out of the entire student body.

“Honestly we were pushing for 40 college acceptances, but we ended up getting like 38. I was like, ‘Oh man, but we still did good,’” Arianna Williams told TMJ4. According to CBS58, Arianna will be graduating first in their class, while Arielle is right behind her. The twins are still waiting on official word from the school to be considered valedictorian and salutatorian.

“We’ve always been those overachievers throughout school, period,” Arielle told CBS58.

Despite the friendly competition, the twin sisters noted that there was never any jealousy between them and that they are each other’s biggest cheerleaders. “We never wanted to do the basic,” Arianna added. “We always wanted to go above and do beyond that.”

The twins will be the first to go to college in their families and, thanks to their big scholarship haul, are set to graduate from college almost debt-free. The sisters have decided to stay close to home and attend Marquette University, where they both plan to study nursing.

As black and brown founders lead the charge as the fastest-growing groups of entrepreneurs, Goldman Sachs is helping them secure resources and capital as they grow and scale their business.

As a part of its $500 million investment in diverse founders, the company created the Launch with GS Black and Latinx Entrepreneur Cohort and put a call out to company founders in April. After receiving 400 applications from founders in 37 states, Goldman Sachs selected 14 black and Latinx founders to participate in the inaugural cohort.

Founders participating in the eight-week virtual experience will get access and resources to help them fast-track their companies’ growth and build relationships with investors and industry experts. During that time they will remain hyper-focused on moving their business forward as the program is designed around their schedule so they may tailor their participation for optimal results.

In a statement released by Goldman Sachs, Margaret Anadu, head of the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group and Launch With GS lead investor said, “The volume and quality of applications confirms our view that there is a strong pipeline of companies led by Black and Latinx founders in the U.S. We’re thrilled to share the knowledge and convening power of Goldman Sachs with these founders as they take their businesses to the next level.”

Each company will receive mentorship from Goldman Sachs leaders and investors and participate in one-on- one and group workshops with specialists from a variety of Goldman Sachs divisions and external cohort partners. They will also be connected to the exclusive Launch With GS advisory council networks.

The 2020 Launch with GS Black and Latinx Entrepreneur Cohort

Bedrock Analytics

Bedrock Analytics’ data visualization platform augments $120 billion in category sales each month via automating retail analytics by leveraging AI, ML, and a simplified user experience for the CPG industry.

Bloc Power

BlocPower uses machine learning and structured finance to partner with utilities and governments to identify, finance, and upgrade building energy systems in America’s Urban Core.

CareAcademy

CareAcademy is the leading U.S. platform for educating and teaching new skills to millions for the future of the healthcare workforce.

Caribu

Caribu is an educational family entertainment platform for kids ages (up to age 13) to have a virtual playdate with family and friends.

Deep Labs

Deep Labs enables persona-based intelligence to deliver true context-aware decision-making.

Finhabits

Finhabits is the leading bilingual money app designed for Latinos’ financial success.

Journey Foods

Journey Foods solves food science and supply chain inefficiencies with enterprise software.

Lendstreet

LendStreet is an online lending platform that enables individuals who have weathered a financial shock to restructure and pay off their debt.

NIVSNx

NVISNx is a big data cyber platform that enables companies to protect their most critical data while also identifying useless data that could be disposed of to save millions in enterprise storage costs.

Partake Foods

Partake Foods is a line of delicious, nutritious, allergy-friendly snacks.

Revry

Revry is the world’s first LGBTQ+ global streaming TV network. It features live and on-demand movies, shows, music, news, and podcasts.

REZI

REZI is an online marketplace where you can find, tour and lease your next apartment in minutes.

Squire Technologies

Squire Technologies provides a robust, fully integrated software system for barbershops and men’s salons with tools such as point of sale, scheduling, payroll, and CRM.

Sweeten

Sweeten matches home renovation projects with thoroughly vetted general contractors, while offering expert advice, tools, and financial protection—at no cost to homeowners.

Accelerating with Goldman Sachs

“These founders were selected because they are true innovators across their industries,” said Jemma Wolfe, head of Launch with GS. “We believe in the power of diverse leadership–and I’m thrilled to bring all that Goldman Sachs has to offer to the 2020 Cohort.”

In a statement released by Squire Technologies, Dave Salvant, co-founder and president, expressed his gratitude and excitement for being accepted into the program saying, “To be selected as one of the inaugural companies in the GS Launch program is an amazing opportunity. To be able to leverage Goldman Sachs resources will allow us to scale even faster.”

Stay tuned for more from these founders in the coming weeks.