Dreena Whitfield-Brown, founder and CEO of WhitPR

by Alisa Gumbs

June 15, 2026

The Founder Of WhitPR Parlayed Her Successful PR Agency Into A Podcast And A Women’s Summit

Dreena Whitfield-Brown shares why she launched How I Got Here and why it’s essential for us to tell our stories

Dreena Whitfield-Brown, the founder and CEO of PR agency WhitPR, which provides public relations, experiential marketing, social media management, and talent management, always aimed to amplify stories that support the advancement of marginalized communities.

But she never anticipated she would be telling those stories as the host of her own podcast, How I Got Here, which “goes beyond the highlight reel with Black women founders, executives, and leaders” to get to the “real conversations about the pivots, the setbacks, and the purpose behind the work.” Or that the podcast would spawn a live event connecting Black businesswomen in her home state of New Jersey.

“I really love telling people’s stories who often get overlooked, especially us,” Whitfield-Brown says. “So that’s how the How I Got Here podcast started, and that’s why the How I Got Here Summit is here.”

At the recent How I Got Here Summit, Whitfield-Brown walked BLACK ENTERPRISE through the evolution of her PR agency and shared her insight on how we all benefit when Black women entrepreneurs open up about their journey:

When you launched your PR agency, did you wish you had access to the kind of stories you’re helping to tell now?

When I started WhitPR—this September, it’ll be 16 years— I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I didn’t have any business mentors. I didn’t know how to write a business plan. I didn’t even know how to really launch an agency. So Google was really my lawyer, my accountant, my assistant, everything.

I’ve found, as I’ve grown in business, that we don’t tell our stories—tell like the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. We like to show the end result, where it’s like, ‘Oh, I got all these awards, I got these accolades, I got all these amazing clients.’ But no, tell me about when your account is negative $3,000. Or when somebody just ends your contract without telling you. Or you lose a really good assistant or team member that you’ve poured it into. Tell me about that. How did you bounce back from that? Because I’m still trying to figure it out.

There’s a lot of women that I know that are looking to start businesses, that are starting businesses, that have been successful, and they’re going through the same thing. So I want to tell those stories, because it’s relatable.

When did you know that you wanted to do a podcast centered on founder stories and the stories behind the brands?

I was kind of pushed into it by my producer. She’s worked with me for, I want to say, five years, first as a client, then we became friends. She was working in a digital marketing space, so she helped us with social media for some of our clients. WhitPR is really all about amplifying Black stories. But typically, a lot of our clients are Black female founders, CEOs, and executives. And so she was like, ‘You need to turn this to a podcast.’ And I was like, you know, I don’t like being forward-facing. I like to wear all black. I like to be behind the scenes. But once I did it, I just loved it, because I am also quite nosy, so I like to know the journey of people that I admire.

What did you need to add, business-wise, to expand from a PR agency to a podcast, and now to orchestrate a summit?

You have to have a really good team around you. I’ve had some really amazing women that have come into my life and have poured into me, prayed for me, prayed for my business, prayed for this time, and have prayed for today. I wouldn’t be here without them.

Like my client who became my podcast producer—anything that I want to do, she’s like, ‘let’s do it.’ And she’ll come up with the branding; she’ll come up with all these ideas. There’s another former client who became one of my really great friends, who I know knows how to do things like this. Then there’s an event designer here in New Jersey who gets it done. You have to bring in people that know how to do things that you don’t know how to do. I have these dreams, I have these visions, but I need people to help me execute them. I think it’s just having a really solid team.

JAŸ-Z Jay Z, paternity — (Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)

by Selena Hill

June 15, 2026

JAY-Z’s MarcyPen Capital Partners Looking To Buy LVMH’s Stake In Fenty Beauty

The investment firm co-founded by JAY-Z is reportedly in the race to purchase LVMH’s stake in Rihanna's billion-dollar beauty brand

MarcyPen Capital Partners, the investment firm co-founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, is in talks to acquire luxury conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy’s (LVMH) stake in Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty.

According to AFROTECH, MarcyPen Capital Partners is among the firms exploring a purchase of LVMH’s 50% ownership stake in the beauty brand launched in 2017 through a partnership between Rihanna and Kendo Brands, LVMH’s beauty incubator. Fenty Beauty quickly disrupted the cosmetics industry with its inclusive approach to beauty, particularly its expansive foundation shade range that catered to dark-skinned Black women often overlooked by traditional beauty brands. Today, the company is reportedly valued between $1 billion and $2 billion, according to Reuters.

The potential acquisition comes months after reports surfaced that LVMH had retained investment bank Evercore to explore strategic options for its ownership stake in the company, which generated approximately $450 million in net sales in 2024. AFROTECH reports that MarcyPen is evaluating several financing structures and has held discussions with outside investors regarding a potential transaction.

The firm was created through the merger of JAY-Z’s Marcy Venture Partners and Black-owned investment platform Pendulum Opportunities, forming a venture capital firm focused on growth-stage consumer businesses. Before the merger, Marcy Venture Partners participated in funding rounds for Savage X Fenty, Rihanna’s lingerie company, in both 2019 and 2022. If completed, the deal would place ownership of Fenty Beauty in the hands of Rihanna and a firm backed by the hip-hop billionaire, creating a powerful alliance between two of the most successful figures in entertainment and business.

Kai Cenat, Streamer, live, twitch, mental health — (Photo: Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)

by Selena Hill

June 15, 2026

Kai Cenat Opens Applications for Streamer University’s 2026 Class

The Bronx native announced that applications for the Class of 2026 are now open

Internet personality and Twitch superstar Kai Cenat is once again opening the doors to Streamer University.

The Bronx native announced that applications for the Class of 2026 are now open for aspiring content creators looking to learn, collaborate, and build their careers in the creator economy. Cenat unveiled the announcement on Instagram on June 8 with a Harry Potter-inspired promotional trailer that generated nearly 3 million likes and 160,000 comments.

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According to the program’s website, interested applicants are encouraged to submit their materials through the online enrollment portal.

Streamer University first launched in 2025 as a unique educational experience designed to help aspiring content creators sharpen their skills while learning directly from some of the internet’s biggest personalities. The inaugural program drew widespread attention after more than 120 emerging creators gathered on a college campus for a weekend of mentorship, networking, and content creation.

This year, Cenat is expanding opportunities for participation for students, professors, and club directors. Students will focus on developing content creation and personal branding skills, while professors and club directors will help lead educational sessions and extracurricular activities, reports NDTV Sports.

The announcement arrives as the creator economy continues to gain legitimacy as a career path for young entrepreneurs. According to a recent Axios report, many Gen Z creators increasingly view influencer and content-creation careers as viable alternatives to traditional professional tracks, a trend that Cenat has helped accelerate through his success. Today, the 24-year-old streamer is reportedly worth $45 million due to his massive subscription numbers, lucrative brand deals, and viral marathon streams.

Details regarding the 2026 campus location, enrollment size, and official start date have not yet been announced.

Telie Woods, Ghana, jerk soul — Courtesy of Jerk Soul

by Ann Brown

June 15, 2026

Chicago Restaurateur Moved Jerk Soul To Ghana, Thinking He’d Retire — Now He’s Rebuilding After Starting Over

Building a business overseas proved far more difficult than Woods expected.

When Telie Woods left St. Louis and moved to Ghana in 2022, he thought he was finally slowing down.

After years of building his popular Caribbean fusion restaurant, Jerk Soul, into a Midwest favorite, Woods says he believed the move to West Africa would mark the beginning of his retirement.

“Honestly, I intended to retire,” Woods told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Those four years in St. Louis wore me out.”

But retirement didn’t last long.

“After not paying any attention to my personal well-being for so long, I decided to follow where the Divine was leading me,” he explained. “My friends said, ‘You are a workaholic and too young to retire.’ I guess they were right. Jerk Soul Ghana was open after six months of my arrival. I did rest for six months, though!”

Woods originally launched Jerk Soul in St. Louis in 2018, and the restaurant quickly developed a loyal following thanks to its Caribbean-soul-food fusion.

Still, even after the restaurant’s success, Woods felt called toward something bigger.

At first, Ghana seemed like the perfect next chapter. After researching business opportunities and hearing stories from members of the African diaspora relocating to the continent, Woods sold most of his belongings and moved to Accra with just a few bags and his dog.

The Ghana expansion initially looked promising. Jerk Soul Ghana became one of the largest African American-owned restaurants in the country and developed into a gathering place for Black expats, tourists, celebrities, university groups, and organizations visiting the continent.

“We’ve hosted universities, religious groups, celebrities, the NAACP, etc.,” Woods said. “We’ve provided a landing spot for the Diaspora when they want to get familiar food or just be around other Diaspora and meet new faces.”

But building a business overseas proved far more difficult than Woods expected.

“Without having any mentorship on how to navigate the permits needed to open shop was a challenge,” he explained. “I had to learn the hard way. It cost me unnecessary time and money.”

Beyond logistics, Woods says cultural differences created an entirely new learning curve.

“Slightly adjusting my menu to accommodate a local palate, sourcing ingredients needed but not readily available, and understanding the mentality of my Ghanaian staff members were all learning curves that grew me more gray hair,” he admitted.

Over time, the restaurant evolved from Caribbean-soul food fusion into something uniquely Ghanaian as Woods adapted the menu to local tastes.

“Here, in Ghana, it has evolved into a trifecta of Caribbean, Soul, and Ghanaian fusion,” he said. “For instance, I fused Jerk with Jollof, and it became one of my popular dishes.”

Still, after making history with its first Ghana location, Woods is now searching for a new home for Jerk Soul, as the original setup did not work out in the long term.

“We are getting ready for our new home. There is more history to make. This is ministry for me,” he shares.

When opening a business abroad, Woods says people would realize that there may be much more red tape than they are accustomed to in the States. He advises to “take a trip and spend a couple of weeks there to allow your mind and spirit to guide you to the right opportunities.” Connecting with other expats can be a major plus to help “learn the unwritten rules and navigate the culture.”

Growing up in Chicago prepared him for adversity, Woods says, helping him develop the mindset necessary to survive both business and personal struggles.

“I’ve been through so much, I’ve noticed that I’ve become numb to issues when they arise,” he explained. “After I’m done bleeding, sweating, and shedding a tear behind closed doors, I revert to a Tupac quote, ‘Lift your chin up, stick ya chest out, and handle it.’”

He doesn’t have plans to leave Ghana.

“Knowing that this is the place where my ancestors were taken from, you begin to tingle inside,” says Woods, who writes about his life experiences and entrepreneurial journey in a book titled “Personal, Professional and Positive.” “400 years later, we’re back, lending our talents and gifts back to the Motherland.”

That emotional connection inspired Woods to create the Diaspora Enrichment Awards, an annual event honoring members of the African diaspora contributing to development across Africa.

And despite everything he has faced, Woods has no regrets about taking the leap.

“I’ve seen people talk themselves out of life-changing blessings,” he said.

lawsuit, high school student — Photo by Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images

by Selena Hill

June 14, 2026

DOJ Deems EEOC Protection Against Worker Discrimination Is Unconstitutional

Civil righs advocates warn the move could make it harder for Black and marginalized workers to challenge discriminatory hiring, promotion, and workplace policies.

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a sweeping legal opinion declaring the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s longstanding interpretation of disparate-impact discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act unconstitutional, drawing sharp criticism from civil rights advocates who warn that the move could harm Black workers and other marginalized groups.

The opinion argues that disparate-impact — a legal theory of discrimination that holds employers accountable for practices that disproportionately harm protected groups based on race, ethnicity, or gender — improperly pressures employers to consider race when hiring.

“The fundamental problem is that disparate-impact liability tends to incent — and even coerce — employers to make race-based decisions to avoid liability or the threat of liability,” reads the opinion, which was signed by Office of Legal Counsel Assistant Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Joshua Craddock, according to CBS News.

For decades, disparate-impact claims have allowed workers to challenge seemingly neutral workplace policies, including hiring tests, criminal background checks, promotion standards, and other employment practices, that disproportionately exclude protected groups, even when discriminatory intent cannot be proven. The Justice Department, however, said employers should be able to use such tools “without fear” of discrimination claims based solely on their effect on different demographic groups.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously worked as President Trump’s personal defense lawyer, applauded the opinion, arguing that the EEOC’s interpretation of Title VII has produced unintended consequences.

“Despite trying to promote equality, EEOC’s disparate impact liability interpretation under Title VII actually fosters the very discrimination its guidelines seek to address,” Blanche said. “This opinion will now allow businesses to hire based on performance, restoring equal opportunities in the American workplace.”

EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas also welcomed the finding. In a statement provided by the DOJ, Lucas said, “We believe this opinion will provide clarity regarding the Constitutional limits of disparate impact in employment discrimination matters,” reports Reuters.

Civil rights advocates, however, say the opinion threatens an important legal mechanism for combating systemic discrimination.

“For over 50 years, the EEOC has relied on disparate impact to address some of the most troubling and egregious civil rights violations,” said Johnathan Smith, former deputy assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Division and current managing director at the National Center for Youth Law, to CBS News. “Disparate impact is a vital tool in rooting out patterns of discrimination and unlawful conduct.”

Smith added that “courts, including the Supreme Court, have long recognized the lawfulness of disparate impact and the important role it plays in ensuring equal opportunity.”

Stacey Young, a former Civil Rights Division attorney and founder of Justice Connection, argued that discrimination often exists without overt expressions of bias.

“Discriminatory outcomes don’t always result from explicit animus, which is why disparate impact liability has been a cornerstone of civil rights enforcement for decades,” Young said. “Requiring plaintiffs in all civil rights cases to demonstrate discriminatory intent is contrary to Supreme Court law, and will lead to a sharp increase in unchecked discrimination.”

Regan Rush, the director of Red Line for Civil Rights at Democracy Forward, said the DOJ’s position ignores the realities of modern discrimination.

“The OLC opinion treats discrimination as if it only exists when someone openly admits to it,” Rush said. “But discrimination is not always overt, and Congress knew that when it explicitly wrote disparate impact into Title VII in 1991.”

Rush went on to describe the opinion as “the latest attempt by the Trump administration to narrow civil rights protections, particularly for people of color, across the board—from voting to housing and now to employment.”

While the opinion does not overturn federal law, advocates fear it signals a major shift in how workplace discrimination claims will be investigated and enforced, potentially making it more difficult for Black workers to challenge policies that produce unequal outcomes, even when those disparities are clear.

Black Business Month, Entrepreneurs, She Did That., Shopify — (Photo: RDNE Stock project/via Pexels)

by Sidnee Michelle

June 14, 2026

Facebook Group Grows Into Multimillion-Dollar Black Business Hub In Evanston, Illinois

The growth of the project shows how the development transformed from a grassroots initiative into a large-scale investment in local entrepreneurship.

A Facebook group entitled ‘The Aux’ launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote Black-owned businesses has grown into a multimillion-dollar commercial hub that now houses entrepreneurs, wellness providers, and community organizations in Evanston, Illinois, Patch reports.

The Aux, located at 2223 Washington St. in Illinois, emerged from the “Boosting Black Business” Facebook group created in 2020 by Evanston Police Sgt. Tosha Wilson. According to Wilson, the online network evolved into a physical marketplace designed to create opportunities for Black business owners and expand access to services within the community.

The project’s growth shows how the development evolved from a grassroots initiative into a large-scale investment in local entrepreneurship.

Wilson said the project required years of fundraising and community support.

“This was a $10 million project, and we raised 8 million on our own,” Wilson told the outlet. “We were everywhere saying this is good for the community, and so far it has been great for the community.”

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Today, The Aux serves as home to several Black- and women-owned businesses operating under one roof. The facility includes retail, wellness, and collaborative work spaces intended to help small business owners expand their operations while sharing resources and visibility.

Among the tenants is The Aux Wellness Collective, founded by wellness coach Tiffini Holmes. The organization offers health and wellness programming and services from practitioners based at the facility.

“A wellness center was a dream I had when I started my own wellness journey that I thought would never be actualized,” Holmes said to the outlet. “Then … I got the opportunity to open The Wellness Collective as well.”

Wilson said the concept for The Aux was inspired in part by Sherman Phoenix, a Milwaukee-based marketplace created to support entrepreneurs and neighborhood revitalization.

The organization is scheduled to host its first fundraising gala on June 20, 2026. Organizers say the event will feature food, entertainment, and presentations highlighting the businesses and programs operating within the facility.

“This is a proud moment, just historically in the community,” Wilson concluded.

black supervisors, hiring bias, — (Photo: iStock)

by Selena Hill

June 13, 2026

Study Finds Black Supervisors May Help Reduce Bias In Hiring Evaluations

New research suggests the presence of Black leaders in hiring processes may help challenge negative assumptions about Black workers and improve workplace equity.

Despite decades of diversity initiatives, Black professionals continue to face significant barriers in the workplace, from hiring discrimination and slower promotion rates to racial microaggressions and unequal scrutiny. Now, new research suggests that increasing Black representation in leadership positions could play a meaningful role in reducing some forms of workplace bias.

According to the study, “Belief Updating, Observability, and Race in the Labor Market,” economists Anna Gifty Opoku-Agyeman and Emma Rackstraw examined whether the presence of a Black supervisor influences how people evaluate Black job candidates.

“Back in 2021, Emma was working on a paper exploring whether people evaluate workers differently when given signals about the average productivity of different groups,” Opoku-Agyeman told Forbes. “Building off that work, we wanted to better understand if screeners evaluate worker productivity differently if they know that a Black supervisor is watching how they evaluate.”

To test their theory, the researchers conducted an online experiment involving nearly 3,000 U.S. participants, many of whom had prior hiring experience. Participants reviewed resumes and estimated candidate performance while being assigned to one of four conditions: supervision by a Black supervisor, a white supervisor, a supervisor whose race was not disclosed, or no supervisor at all. The results revealed a notable shift in perceptions.

“What we find is that when you share with [participants] that they are being supervised by a Black supervisor, their stated beliefs about Black workers change,” Opoku-Agyeman said. Participants who believed a Black supervisor was overseeing the process rated Black candidates as more productive on average.

Rackstraw noted that participants “guessed Black candidates answered 0.5 more questions correctly when they saw a Black supervisor, which closed around 20% of the racial gap that was present under white supervisors.”

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While the findings did not entirely eliminate racial disparities, the researchers say they highlight a potential pathway to disrupt bias in talent evaluation. Opoku-Agyeman argued that promoting Black employees into leadership roles could help organizations identify top talent while reducing discriminatory decision-making.

The findings arrive as many companies reassess diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. For Black job seekers, Opoku-Agyeman offered a practical takeaway: pay attention to who holds leadership positions within an organization.

“The research is clear,” she told Forbes. “Without clear intervention, the job market is harder for us than it is for anyone else.”

Atlanta Municipal Market — photo credit : Warren LeMay from Cincinnati, OH, United States, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

by Sidnee Michelle

June 13, 2026

Black Women-Owned Businesses Fuel Growth At Atlanta Municipal Market

This comes as city leaders and entrepreneurs look to expand opportunities for small business owners.

Several new businesses, including multiple Black woman-owned ventures, are opening at the Atlanta Municipal Market, a historic public marketplace in the Sweet Auburn district. This comes as city leaders and entrepreneurs look to expand opportunities for small business owners, The Atlanta Voice reported.

Officials, business owners, and residents gathered on June 5 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and market tour celebrating four businesses that have recently opened or are preparing to open inside the market.

Among them is A Taste of Secrets, a Jamaican-Puerto Rican fusion restaurant founded by chefs Niddy Rodriguez and Miish Hudson. The restaurant is scheduled to open on June 13 and will offer menu items influenced by both cultures, including empanadas filled with seafood, oxtail, curry chicken, and beef.

Rodriguez said the market’s history and central location were key factors in choosing the site for the business.

“The Atlanta Municipal Market is a hub for Atlantans,” Rodriguez said to the outlet.

Hudson said the building’s historical significance also contributed to the decision.

Another new addition is Dolce Tropical, a juice-and-shake bar owned by Latasha Smith. The business opened following a soft launch on June 3 and serves fruit-based drinks, milkshakes, ice cream sundaes, and tropical lemonade.

Smith said the concept was inspired by her daughter, Jordan, and beverage vendors she encountered at the Santa Monica Pier in California. Before opening at the market, the pair operated at fairs and other public events.

Smith said the market’s diverse customer base and supportive environment helped solidify the decision to establish a permanent location there.

“This is an awesome opportunity for us,” said Smith. “I wanted to bring these flavors to Atlanta.”

Additional businesses expected to open soon include Edgewood Pizza and The Retro Grill, which is owned and operated by entrepreneur Kheli Archer.

The Atlanta Municipal Market has operated for decades and remains one of the city’s best-known public marketplaces, serving as a destination for food vendors, retailers, and small businesses.

Greg Clay, deputy chief of staff in the office of Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, called the market an Atlanta institution and said the new businesses represent continued investment in the facility.

“I think this is great,” said Miss D, owner of Miss D’s Gourmet Candy, which also operates inside the market. “It’s great for the community and for the entrepreneurs who are getting their start.”

mental health, Atlanta Hawks, Kaiser Permanente, Men's Mental Health Summit — (Photo: SDI Productions/Getty Images)

by Edwian Stokes

June 13, 2026

Atlanta Hawks, Kaiser Permanente Tackle Black Men’s Mental Health At State Farm Arena

The "Real Talk, Real Strength" summit address Black men's mental wellness and systemic health challenges.

For sports fans, the ultimate skill isn’t avoiding a tough loss—it is mastering the art of the rebuild.

This was the central message at State Farm Arena on June 6, where the Atlanta Hawks and Kaiser Permanente shifted focus from basketball to supporting Black men’s mental and physical health. By uniting the community to confront stigma, build connections, and offer accessible wellness resources, the second annual “Real Talk, Real Strength: Men of Color Health Summit” brought more than 90 men of color to the Hawks’ home court during Black Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Atlanta Hawks, Kaiser Permanente Host Second Annual Men of Color Health Summit: Black Men's Mental Health Awareness Month is being highlighted by the Atlanta Hawks and Kaiser Permanente at a health summit for men of color. Read more: https://t.co/2eINI7bXkc pic.twitter.com/Ko2yIbNLMC
— The Atlanta Voice (@theatlantavoice) June 7, 2026

This event concluded a three-part community wellness series launched by the NBA franchise and Kaiser Permanente. Each installment was designed to address persistent health disparities.

Why the Court Matters: Contextualizing a Community Crisis

For a community historically underserved by healthcare and affected by systemwide challenges, a summit of this scale commands significant cultural value. Issues such as racial profiling, economic barriers, and societal expectations that equate vulnerability with weakness demonstrate the need for these occasions. By providing a dedicated, culturally relevant space at a prominent venue, organizers aimed to reduce the stigma around mental healthcare.

Keynote speaker Onaje Henderson, co-owner of Zucot Gallery, stressed that real change needs action.

“It is doing things like this, showing up for one another, in community,” Henderson said. “But it’s also providing and looking out and taking care of people.”

The summit addressed what Henderson described as “the invisible weight that men carry,” prompting attendees to consider separating their personal identity from career achievements, per a report in the Atlanta Voice.

Overcoming the “L’s” of Life

Psychologist Dr. Curtis D. Jasper described losing his mother, divorcing, and facing financial collapse in four years. Traditional coping failed him.

“I couldn’t achieve my way out,” Jasper said. “I couldn’t thug my way out.”

Jasper credited physical training and dietary changes with saving his life and encouraged the audience to reconsider how they approach adversity.

“Don’t avoid falling and taking L’s,” Jasper told the crowd. “Just get good at recovery.”

The summit stressed the link between mental stress and physical health with compelling data. For example, a 2026 American Heart Association study shows that over 62% of non-Hispanic Black men have high blood pressure, among the highest rates globally. Speakers recommended regular blood pressure screenings, heart-healthy diets, daily physical activity, and obtaining support through therapy or men’s wellness groups. Attendees received information on local mental wellness resources and were encouraged to schedule annual checkups with trusted healthcare providers.

The summit also addressed the physical toll of high-risk environments. Former NBA champion Josh Powell discussed the long-term effects of his 20-year basketball career, and panelist Dr. Aaron Cooper shared his recent diagnosis of high blood pressure.

“There are things that I’ve put my body through that are now starting to catch up to me,” Powell said. “So it’s just really keeping mindful and making sure that I’m doing the proper things.”

A Playbook for Holistic Health

The Hawks and Kaiser Permanente partnered in 2024. To align the summit with community needs, they surveyed over 50 men of color before the event. The survey identified monetary pressures, mental health challenges, and stereotypes around masculinity as top concerns. Accordingly, the summit’s panels and workshops focused on financial wellness, resilience, and the redefinition of strength and vulnerability.

Alexis Roe, vice president of Community Impact for the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena, said the team’s mission goes beyond basketball.

“By teaming up with Kaiser Permanente, we can provide truly integrated support to our neighbors across the city,” Roe said.

Black owned Pharmacy — photo credit: pexels

by Sidnee Michelle

June 12, 2026

Chicago Alderman Unveils Plan Targeting Pharmacy Deserts

The proposal follows the closure of a Walgreens store in the Chatham neighborhood after more than two decades in operation

A Chicago alderman plans to launch a pilot program in July 2026 aimed at expanding access to prescription medications in underserved neighborhoods after the closure of a longtime pharmacy renewed concerns about pharmacy deserts on the city’s South Side, Afrotech reports.

Chicago Alderman William Hall announced the initiative as part of a broader proposal to create a city-run Office of Pharmacy Access, which would work to increase pharmacy services across all 77 of the city’s community areas.

The proposal follows the closure of a Walgreens store in the Chatham neighborhood after more than two decades in operation. Walgreens cited safety concerns and retail theft as factors in its decision to close the location, leaving many residents with fewer options for filling prescriptions.

Hall said the city should take a more active role in addressing gaps in healthcare access created by pharmacy closures.

“Walgreens has, in my opinion, started the 21st century medicine apartheid,” Hall told FOX 32 Chicago. “When we asked for help on this side of town years ago, they did not give us any new designs. They didn’t give us any support.”

The loss of neighborhood pharmacies can create significant challenges for residents who depend on prescription medications. Among those affected is Chatham resident George Smith, who told the outlet that transportation has become a barrier since the Walgreens closure.

“I have to find a ride, and sometimes the insurance supplies you a ride, but you gotta let them know the day before,” Smith said. “So, if something’s happening to you today, they can’t give you any rides.”

According to research from the University of Southern California’s Program on Medicines and Public Health, pharmacy deserts are more common in low-income communities and neighborhoods with large Black and Latino populations, contributing to disparities in access to medications and other health services.

Under Hall’s proposal, the city could provide affordable commercial space to independent pharmacists, helping reduce operating costs while increasing access to prescription drugs in underserved areas.

Hall said he plans to discuss funding options with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, including the possibility of directing revenue from late-night liquor sales toward the initiative. The pilot program is expected to begin in July 2026, while city officials continue to evaluate longer-term solutions to expand pharmacy access.