• Business

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2020

Don Hardin Spearheads the Construction of the National Museum of African American Music

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The opening of the National Museum of African American Music is scheduled to take place this Labor Day Weekend in the heart of downtown Nashville. 

BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Don Hardin, founder of the Don Hardin Group and project manager of the construction project. During the conversation, he expressed the importance of having black-owned businesses involved in projects of this magnitude and involving creative professionals to help complete them.

Tell us about your involvement in the upcoming construction of the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) and when do you anticipate completion of the project?

Working on the National Museum of African American Music has been a labor of love. Don Hardin Group was hired by the museum’s executive board because they needed someone dedicated to the business of design, fabrication, and construction of the facility and its components. Our team ensures the vision is carried out through the complex coordination of architects, exhibit designers, and general contractors. Music lovers from across the world can expect to experience the museum when it opens Labor Day weekend.

What is the Don Hardin Group and what projects have you participated in recently?

Since opening in the fall of 2000, Don Hardin Group has had the fortune of working on several high-profile projects that now provide many uses to the general public. We value the use of fundamental construction management tools and find ways to implement new technology as often as possible. As project manager and as a general contractor, our projects and clientele include the Mount Zion Baptist Church of Nashville, Music City Center, Hospital Corporation of America, The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College, First Tennessee Baseball Park, Nissan North America, and the Metropolitan Nashville Airport to name a few. 

How important is this NMAAM project in terms of diversity and for black-owned firms?

The commitment that NMAAM has made to ensure the project leads with African American businesses cannot be overstated. Throughout my 30-year career, it is rare to find African American construction firms that thrive in the industry and pass down their expertise to younger generations to make their own. Our effort is targeted at creating a balance in the attrition rates of black professionals in construction.

The NMAAM project has allowed black firms to excel in the industry in a way that we have always dreamed of; the collective training and talent of black architects, interior designers, general contractors, and project managers are on full display here. I would also highlight project architect, Harold Thompson; interior designer, Donna Gilliam; and construction team, Mark Deathridge, Rigor Ligon, Mark Campbell, and Ed Henley–who comprise Euphony Four–as some of the partnering African American-owned firms that are key to the success of the NMAAM project.

Today, on the NMAAM construction site, nearly every person who has a major role is black; and each of these men and women are driven, highly skilled, and being given the opportunity to grow in their position. We believe that this type of inclusion will help to change the landscape of construction in this country.

What would you suggest to someone who wants a career in project management and/or construction? 

First, I tell every interested person to pursue construction for the long-term rewards and not for short-term gratification. It is a risky business, and you must learn to manage the risks. There are so many types of projects that require different approaches, so you will never know everything there is to know about construction. Always be proactive and a very committed teammate who shows enthusiasm and a positive attitude. Finally, learn the art of developing a project schedule because you will need this at every level in this profession. A schedule helps the team to visualize the end of the project and then it forces you to fill in the blanks with the who, what, and how that brings a project to life over time.

What do you think is the most important thing you’re gaining from this experience with this project for NMAAM?

In general, I have always thought that construction projects are a lot of fun to work on. The nature of the National Museum of African American Music definitely adds some elements to that fun. Our philosophy is that with building a museum, you’re designing and building from the inside out when it comes to satisfying the requirements that make a museum engaging.

What has been most rewarding to my team is finding the connections in the music we enjoy today to the influence of African Americans over the years and across all genres. In various conversations from our project meetings, we have seen a diverse array of people all share fond stories of their love of black artists like Marvin Gaye, Prince, and B.B. King. This is inspiring because you can see people from all walks of life united under a common love for music.

As contractors, we are always excited about the outcome of a project because of all the effort resulting in a finished brick and mortar structure. On this project, what excites me is creating a place for culture to thrive.

Many holidays and traditions have been postponed or cancelled this year due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. As we move into May, another casualty of the viral outbreak is going out to celebrate Mother’s Day, a lucrative day for many businesses.

Moms-turned-entrepreneurs Dr. Tammira Lucas and Jasmine Simms wanted to make sure other moms can keep their businesses afloat amid the pandemic with a new relief fund.

Nonprofit business incubator Moms As Entrepreneurs (MAE) has launched a national COVID-19 relief fund for businesses solely owned by mothers called the “Moms As Entrepreneurs Give Life. Give Community Fund.” It’s designed to help support those shut out of government loans or other funding during the public health crisis.

“Experts estimate that up to 90% of businesses owned by women and people of color have been, or will likely be, shut out of the Federal Paycheck Protection Program. We understand the disparities that moms, especially moms of color, are dealing with as they continue to maintain their businesses during COVID-19,”

Lucas, co-founder of Moms as Entrepreneurs, said “Many relief programs do not support businesses that do not have payroll expenses or support businesses that may not have relationships with commercial banks. We also realize that while these women are trying to find relief for their businesses, they are also trying to be teachers and mothers. We knew we had to help. If we aren’t able to save mom-owned businesses, women-owned businesses in general will see a decline and push our hard work of elevating women-owned businesses back by decades.”

 

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They say when leaders see a problem, they provide a solution to it! I spent the first three weeks of quarantined helping local small businesses create emergency plans to sustain their businesses and families. MOST of them were moms, the head of households, community advocates, and change-makers. They all shared the same fear and frustrations. I worked on creating a fund for our Warnock Fellows that they were able to access, but there was more work needed! ⠀ ⠀ I spoke with decision-makers about supporting micro-businesses and solopreneurs BEFORE the second round of PPP funding. Needless to say, all of them said what was already known. ⠀ ⠀ Jasmine Simms and I refused to allow the businesses that drive the economy, and communities simply die, so we created a fund to support mom-owned businesses! ⠀ ⠀ Think about this; you are reading this post because of a mom; without them, none of us would exist.⠀ ⠀ Support a mom-owned business and donate to our fund so your local hair salon, boutique, makeup artist, consultant, change-maker, or community leader can remain in business!⠀ ⠀ #GivingTuesday #mompreneur #nonprofit #mompreneur #momlife #entrepreneur #momboss #bossbabe #smallbusiness #womeninbusiness #girlboss #handmade #momsofinstagram #shopsmall #momblogger #womenempowerment #entrepreneurlife #femaleentrepreneur #bosslady #womensupportingwomen #motivation #mompreneurlife #mom #businesswoman #shoplocal #supportsmallbusiness #workingmom #workfromhome #ladyboss #motherhood

A post shared by Moms As Entrepreneurs (@maeentrepreneur) on May 4, 2020 at 5:34pm PDT

Grants of $500-$1,000 will be given to small businesses in all industries owned by entrepreneurs who are mothers. The organization will begin accepting applications on May 18.

• COVID-19

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2020

Baseball Hall of Famer Andre Dawson is Experiencing Coronavirus Crisis As a Mortician

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Many sports figures enter into businesses you wouldn’t expect—especially as they’re better known for their athletic prowess than their business acumen. Former Montreal Expos and Chicago White Sox baseball player Andre Dawson sees the effects of coronavirus up close and personal through his dealings as a mortician in Miami, according to The Associated Press.

The deaths caused by the coronavirus have sadly kept Dawson in business as the owner of the Paradise Memorial Funeral Home in Miami.

In 2003, Dawson entered the funeral home business after investing in his younger brother’s funeral home. He later took up the opportunity to own and operate Paradise Memorial about 12 years ago.

“It kind of fell into my lap,” he said. “Growing up, I could have never envisioned this. I was actually afraid of the dead when I was a kid.”

“When it came to funeral homes and seeing someone in a casket, it would remind me of being young and going to see a real scary horror movie and not being able to sleep at night. That’s where I was. But you grow and change with the times,” said Dawson.

Paradise Memorial has recently dealt with six deceased COVID-19 victims, Dawson said. He met with his employees last week to make sure they are prepared if the caseload becomes more than they have had to handle recently.

“It’s very sad,” he said. “It’s very sad. Because people mourn and grieve differently, and they’re not getting through that process as they would under normal circumstances. You see a lot of hurt and pain.”

A truly family-run business, Vanessa, his wife of 42 years, is the office manager. And his uncle runs the day-to-day operations. The staff of the funeral home totals 23 employees, and they are wearing masks and going through a lot of hand sanitizer during this ordeal.

“It’s stressful because of the times and the uncertainty,” Dawson said. “But this is what we signed up for. As challenging as it can be, we just pray and hope we’re prepared for it.”

Dawson recently told USA Today, “This has been a game-changer,’’ says the 1987 National League MVP with the Chicago Cubs. “You can’t have a proper burial like you would under normal circumstances. You can’t have the ideal send-off. You can’t have people coming in here and making arrangements. You’re just trying to expedite the process as quickly as possible. You see the sadness of people not even being able to see them in the hospital when they’re sick.

“I can’t even imagine what these people are going through. It’s just awful.’’

One of the upsides of crises is that they can offer clarity, although it may take a while to see the forest for the trees. Since the NBA shut down on March 11 has Dallas Mavericks CEO Cynt Marshall sheltering at home with Kenneth, her husband of 37 years, she has become much clearer about a few key things.

For example, dogs may be man’s best friend, but they’re not Marshall’s. After her daughter’s dog, Louie, hung out at her house for a few days—lounging in the backyard when Marshall wanted some air and on her treadmill when she wanted to work out—she was real clear: “Louie had to go,” she said, in an “On the Clock” interview from her now Louie-less home.

Also clear: “Kenny needs a hearing aid,” Marshall said of her husband. Normally on the road much of the time, she has discovered that there are multiple TVs on in the house, simultaneously, all day, at top volume. It’s something she plans to help her hubby tend to when they (and the NBA) finally come out to play.

Most of all, though, Marshall has become much clearer on what it takes to lead the Mavericks organization through a crisis. Having been hired by team owner Mark Cuban two years ago, in the midst of one of the worst sexual harassment scandals in sports history, Marshall’s crisis management muscles were already well-honed.

As a survivor of domestic abuse in her childhood home, colon cancer, several miscarriages, and the death of a child, Marshall knows what it is to face the unthinkable and come through it. But the global pandemic that has now shuttered all professional sports and most of the world posed a challenge unlike any she’d confronted before.

“During the first couple of weeks, you’re in shock,” she said. “You can’t believe people are dying. You can’t believe you’ve been forced into your house and told to stay.” But Marshall, who lauds NBA commissioner Adam Silver for his bold leadership in making the right choice to keep everyone safe, says she soon developed her own cadence for her organization and stunning clarity about what it would take for them to navigate the shutdown intact.

“I call it my new dot-com,” said Marshall, who has sent her customized prescription for enduring this crisis to her entire team:

Compassion

— And plenty of it, for yourself, your family, neighbors, and colleagues. And especially for those hardest hit by the coronavirus.

Community

Marshall said she has always been “obsessed with service” and with the current slate of needs being bigger and more critical than ever—especially in the black community—now is a time to double down on what you can do to help others, even from the confines of your home. Get creative, she urges, and give back!

Communication

Even within the rules of physical distancing, social and emotional connection is not only still possible, it’s more important than ever. People need to talk, to vent, to cry, to laugh together, to know they’re thought about and valued—and not just through texting. “Pick up the phone, use your voice, and reach out,” Marshall says.

Compromise

“This one was big for me and it’s two-fold,” Marshall notes. “I have a compromised immune system due to my past with chemo, so I have to make sure I’m healthy and that I do all I can to keep others healthy too.” Crises, and the way to their solutions, generally demand compromise and flexibility and, often, collaboration.

Compliance

Marshall insists this one is simple, even though Texas politicians, policymakers, and business leaders are not in agreement about when and how to end the mass quarantine and return to work. “We have to listen to the true experts and follow their guidelines,” says Marshall. “We were forced into our homes. We didn’t have a choice. But we do have a choice about how we come back out.

“If we don’t come out better after however many weeks it takes, we have missed an opportunity,” Marshall says. “That starts with using good sense and being in good health.”

• News

by Derek Major

May 6, 2020

Joe Biden Announces New Policy Aimed At Black Voters

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Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden released a broad new policy Monday aimed at black voters to reduce racial and wealth gaps.

According to NBC News, Biden’s plans include opening a new public credit reporting agency that will compete with Equifax Inc, Experian Plc, and TransUnion to minimize racial disparities in lending.

“Today’s credit reports, which are issued by just three large private companies, are rife with problems: they often contain errors, they leave many ‘credit invisible’ due to the sources used to generate a credit score, and they contribute to racial disparities, widening the African American homeownership gap,” Biden’s campaign said in a statement.

Biden also unveiled a new tax credit for first-time homeowners allocating $900 million over eight years to finance the program. The plan would also expand the Small Business Administration’s efforts to lend money to African American-owned businesses.

African American voters were paramount to Biden winning southern states in the primaries. However, late last month, Biden backtracked on his commitment to choose a black woman as his vice president.

A Biden campaign official said the campaign is still introducing more relevant policies on environmental issues and other areas of concern to progressives and black voters in coming weeks.

Biden, who recently received the endorsements of Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, is also trying to appeal to their supporters. Last month the former vice president called for widespread student loan forgiveness for those making less than $125,000.

The forgiveness would apply to tuition-related expenses for public colleges and universities as well as private institutions primarily serving minority populations.

“I would finance this new student debt proposal by repealing the high-income ‘excess business losses’ tax cut in the CARES Act,” Biden wrote. “That tax cut overwhelmingly benefits the richest Americans and is unnecessary for addressing the current COVID-19 economic relief efforts.”

Biden also released a plan last month to lower the minimum age to qualify for Medicare from 65 to 60.

• COVID-19

by Dana Givens

May 6, 2020

As the Coronavirus Pandemic Continues, Hotels Set New Cleaning Standards

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The spread of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, has disrupted industries around the globe. The travel and hospitality sector has been brought to a complete standstill causing many to undergo changes once the pandemic comes to an end. The way people travel on planes and stay at hotels will be changed forever.

Hotels already had accusations surrounding their cleanliness such as not washing their sheets between new guests among other unsanitary methods. According to Inc, Hilton recently unveiled its plan to collaborate with RB, maker of Lysol and Dettol, and the Mayo Clinic to create Hilton CleanStay with Lysol protection.

The hotel brand said in a statement that the new initiative was intended to “create a focus on cleanliness that will be visible to guests throughout their entire stay–in their guest rooms, restaurants, fitness rooms, and in other public spaces.”

This news comes when the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) came forward this week to introduce its new Safe Stay initiative, an industry-wide, enhanced standard of health and safety protocols designed to prepare America’s hotels to safely welcome back guests and employees as the economy reopens amid the coronavirus outbreak.

The new protocol was developed under the guidance of an advisory council (comprised of industry leaders representing all segments of the hotel industry) and with public health experts to advance best practices for protecting against the coronavirus.

“Safe Stay was developed specifically to ensure enhanced safety for hotels guests and employees. While hotels have always employed demanding cleaning standards, this new initiative will ensure greater transparency and confidence throughout the entire hotel experience,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA, in a press statement. “The industry’s enhanced hotel cleaning practices, social interactions, and workplace protocols will continue to evolve to meet the new health and safety challenges and expectations presented by COVID-19.”

• COVID-19

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

May 6, 2020

NYPD Police Officer at Center of Social Distancing Bust that Went Viral Has Already Cost NYC $200,000 in Lawsuits

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One would think that if a person were caught doing the same thing numerous times, and punished for it, they would be deterred from doing it again—or dismissed at the very least. But, that doesn’t appear to be the case in the New York City Police Department. A police officer who was seen brutalizing a black man on video on the streets of New York has had many complaints about his behavior. And he has reportedly cost the city $200,000 in lawsuit payouts, according to The New York Post.

The now-suspended police officer, Francisco Garcia, was captured in a now-viral video slapping and punching a 33-year-old bystander who went to- to-toe with the cop. His past transgressions have cost the city more than $200,000 in payouts over the last six years, according to court records. 

Earlier this week, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office said it was deferring the charges against the bystander, Donni Wright, in the incident which took place near the corner of East Ninth Street and Avenue D in Manhattan.

Related: Not Reaching! A Pouch to Combat Police Brutality

Based on reporting by the Post, here is a list of previous acts committed by Officer Garcia that has led to the lawsuits filed by the victims:

In 2018, the city doled out its largest settlement, for $120,000. The lawsuit was filed against Garcia and his partner, Gabor Kolman. The lawsuit alleges the pair racially profiled Hector Hernandez in January 2016, which led to a wrongful arrest and assault.

In another case in February 2014, Garcia threw Marcus Bussey to the floor inside a Washington Heights public housing complex and “began assaulting him with fists, shod feet and foreign objects, attacking his legs, knees, thighs, back, ribs and head,” the lawsuit alleges.

Bussey was visiting his girlfriend there at the time of the arrest, according to the suit, which was settled for $27,500 the next year.

A year after Garcia joined the force in October of 2013, the police officer allegedly ridiculed a woman for her sexual orientation at a fast-food joint, the suit says. When the woman, Natae Adams, tried to get his badge number, Garcia allegedly said, “Take a f–king picture of it, f–king d–e!” and later arrested her, according to the suit.

• Lifestyle

by Selena Hill

May 6, 2020

Miguel, Terrence J, and Other Stars Team Up to Support Foster Care Youth in New PSA Video

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At a time when nearly 30 million Americans are out of work, entire industries have been upended, and much of the world has come to a standstill, celebrities are coming together to support one of the most vulnerable populations in this time of uncertainty: children in foster care.

On Monday, singer Miguel, media personality Terrence J, comedian Lil Rel, and actor and singer Luke James partnered with the Precious Dreams Foundation to release a PSA raising awareness about the more than 435,000 children in foster care.

“If our world feels lost today,” says Terrence J in the video, “then imagine those children and their feelings are more uncertain, anxious, afraid, depressed. And some are even dealing with this crisis alone,” continued James.

The PSA was released on May 4 to kick off National Foster Care Month. The Precious Dreams Foundation says their goal is to encourage donors to “join in giving comfort” to those in foster care, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The org believes that bedtime comfort items like blankets, storybooks, and journals can help young people develop better coping skills to deal with stress, anxiety, and loneliness.

“The responsibility to make children feel seen, heard and comforted is one we all must share in America,” said Nicole Russell, co-founder and executive director of the Precious Dreams Foundation, in a statement. “During the pandemic and always, we must consider the children in our country’s foster care system and provide the necessary tools to support their growth.”

Donations will help support the foundation’s mission to give foster care children its signature comfort bags, which include pajamas, teddy bears, books, journals, therapy putty, and socks. The org says such bedtime necessities provide youth with positive reinforcement to help them dream peacefully – literally and figuratively.

 

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Today is my birthday and I got to do the thing I love the MOST. I delivered comfort bags to children who need new journals, books, pajamas and comfort for @preciousdreamsfoundation. I’ll sleep better tonight because of it. – Thank you everyone for all of your love, gifts and sweet surprises. I am a representation of everything good in my life. #birthdaysuit #coronawear #volunteer — P.s. order your @iamshonsimon mask today! Her company is donating funds to pay bills for people in need.

A post shared by Nicole Russell (@nicolerussell) on Apr 15, 2020 at 7:01pm PDT

The Precious Dreams Foundation was founded in 2012 by Russell and her mother, Angie Medina, to provide young people under 19 years old living in foster care and homeless shelters with bedtime comfort items and therapeutic programs that promote self-comforting skills. “Whether a bear is held tight after a bad dream or a bedtime story leads to a happy imagination, we hope sleeping can be made easy, we hope to inspire precious dreams,” reads a statement on the org’s website.

In addition to New York City, the foundation has established four local chapters in Chicago, South Florida, Los Angeles, and Baltimore and is working to expand to Houston and Washington D.C.

Watch the PSA below.

Never underestimate the power of social media in the age of e-commerce.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many entrepreneurs have had to shift their businesses from brick-and-mortar to a digital storefront in order to stay afloat amid the public health crisis. Despite the economic hardships that have come as a result of the virus, digital entrepreneurs have still found ways to flourish amid the pandemic.

Mariee Revere is the CEO and founder of MoonXCosmetics, a handmade vegan skincare line catering to all skin types with an assortment of products ranging from natural hydrating oils, cleansers, body conditioners, and face masks. This week the 20-year old entrepreneur celebrated a huge milestone on Twitter announcing she had made $1 million in 8 minutes off of what she said would be a “million-dollar restock.”

 

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1 million is 8 minutes! thank you god and thank you to god and everyone! THANK YOU! IM CLOSING THE SITE SOON, we’ve reached full mass!

A post shared by Moon (@moonxcosmeticsllc) on Apr 30, 2020 at 9:17pm PDT

Since the achievement, Revere has garnered thousands of new fans in the process who also joined in to celebrate her huge success. She now has over 20,000 followers on Twitter and over 250,000 followers on Instagram. Her YouTube channel also experienced a boost in viewership reaching close to 23,000 views. Revere announced she has since replenished her inventory so shoppers can get their hands on her handmade beauty items.

Her rose galore oil is so amazing 😍 https://t.co/bVFR9PYR59

— Heaven 🍜 (@heavenarchived) May 2, 2020

Revere also used her newfound Twitter fame to highlight other black-owned and POC-owned small businesses to her followers.

The fact that @parmooonx is sharing her shine with other small businesses is truly inspiring ❤️❤️❤️🙌🏽🙌🏽

— Meraki Kalon Skin (@King_SD_) May 4, 2020

• COVID-19

by Dana Givens

May 6, 2020

Gabrielle Union Talks About How Black Actors Are Feeling The Economic Repercussions Of COVID-19

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Many individuals have been uniquely impacted by the devastating effects of COVID-19, or the novel coronavirus, pandemic ranging from blue-collar workers to even NBA athletes. Actress Gabrielle Union is speaking out to talk about how her colleagues within black Hollywood are also feeling the economic ramifications of the public health crisis.

Due to COVID-19, all Hollywood productions have been shut down due to mandatory stay-at-home orders in various states to protect the crew and actors working on set. Union spoke on Instagram Live in a conversation with model Sharam Diniz to express how the shut down has negatively impacted working black actors amid the viral outbreak.

“For all of the Oprah [Winfrey]’s and the people who have just a lot a lot a lot a lot of money, most of us are one or two checks away from not having money to pay for all of our things, you know what I mean?” she revealed on the interview, according to Essence. “So this stoppage of work and money is impacting marginalized celebrities the most.”

Union also pointed out that while many celebrities have fame with thousands, or even millions, of followers on social media, it doesn’t mean they are wealthy noting that many project a luxe lifestyle on Instagram despite living in a different reality. According to some data, the average Hollywood actor made about $44,984 in 2016.

“All those influencers you see…who seem to be everywhere, they may not have a lot of liquid income,” Union continued. “You can’t charge your rent. You have to pay your rent.”

Union continued the conversation on Twitter to explain that many actors are feeling the effects despite the glamorous lifestyle they may portray through social media.

The average SAG (actor union) actor makes around 54k a year, while VAST MAJORITY make less than 1k a year from acting work. If we just look at Black actors those #s go down even further. Lets keep talking. Share your stories. Every actor whose name you recognize started somewhere

— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) May 3, 2020