Echoing Green, Black-Led Women Groups, investors, social media, Fund, blog, network, Innovators, Black Founders, Black Businesses,Kathryn Finney' — (Photo: Hiraman/Getty Images)

by Mary Spiller

August 14, 2025

GrantWatch Grants Are Driving Workforce Development Across Key Professions

From scholarships for women in STEM to grants helping veterans launch new careers, funding opportunities are fueling workforce growth across industries nationwide.

Expanding the workforce has become essential for sustaining growth in critical fields such as technology, education, and healthcare. Targeted grants are stepping in to help train new talent, strengthen professional skills, and open career pathways for underrepresented groups.
GrantWatch, a leading directory with more than 9,000 listings, highlights over 1,900 funding opportunities devoted specifically to workforce development. These programs provide resources for individuals, educators, nonprofits, and small businesses to support training and career advancement.

Funding ranges from small scholarships to large-scale grants. For example, up to $20,000 is available to support career and project development in architecture, covering production and research costs for innovative design projects. Schools and colleges can apply for grants up to $5,000 to help teachers and education professionals engage in classroom-focused learning initiatives.

Women re-entering the workforce or seeking new career directions can receive up to $8,000 to pursue advanced degrees in fields such as engineering, science, and technology. Scholarships of $2,000 are also offered to workers pursuing vocational training in industries including transportation, construction, and energy.

Other programs focus on expanding employment opportunities in the food industry, developing technical education programs, and helping youth, veterans with disabilities, and Black young adults access career mentorship, skills training, and job placement. Grants also provide $5,000 to help small businesses grow by creating jobs and improving access to essential services, particularly in underserved communities.

Specialized opportunities include $1,000 awards for first-time scholars from historically underrepresented groups to attend academic conferences, and neuroscience fellowships that support PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from under-resourced backgrounds.

GrantWatch’s listings are constantly updating as new opportunities are offered to the public, becoming a place to easily browse scholarships and grants in your field.

With initiatives like these, GrantWatch is helping to build a robust pipeline of skilled professionals. By supporting training, education, and entrepreneurship, these grants ensure that industries remain competitive while expanding opportunities for individuals across the country.

DeAndre Hopkins — photo credit: All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 14, 2025

Sabrina Greenlee, Mother Of NFL Player DeAndre Hopkins, Discusses Attack That Left Her Blind

She speaks about the acid attack in the upcoming ESPN docuseries, 'The Kingdom.'

Sabrina Greenlee, the mother of NFL wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (a former Kansas City Chiefs player, who will be playing for the Baltimore Ravens this upcoming season) is featured in the ESPN documentary, The Kingdom, where she talked about experiencing a painful acid attack that left her blind in 2002.

According to the Daily Mail, Greenlee, while speaking on the docuseries that is about the current dynasty of the Chiefs, who have won three Super Bowls in the past five years (2020, 2023, and 2024), she recalled the horrible incident that took place almost 25 years ago.

“The skin instantly falls off of my body,” Greenlee stated. “In that moment, I was thinking this is how I’m going to literally die.”

Sabrina Greenlee was attacked by Savannah Carlita Grant, who was with Greenlee’s boyfriend when the pair were arguing. As the pair argued, Grant threw a “concoction” of bleach and lye that hit her face, neck, and back and left her blind and with severe burns. Grant was sentenced to 20 years in prison for assault and battery with intent to kill.

Hopkins, who was only 10 years old at the time, also spoke of the time that he and his siblings saw Greenlee after she had been in a coma for about a month before her recovery from the incident.

“The day I finally got to see my mom with my siblings, once she came from the hospital, her whole face was wrapped up,” he said. “And I just remember seeing her eyes and how different they were.”

After the incident, the 10-year-old Hopkins “became the man of the house,” Greenlee said.

“He’d read to me, describe what’s on the television. And it’s like if he’s not giving up, how dare I? I sat my children down and I said: ‘This doesn’t define us.”

The ESPN docuseries is slated for release on August 14 at 8 p.m.

by Kandiss Edwards

August 14, 2025

Issa Rae Is Going On Tour To Discuss New Book, ‘I Should Be Smarter Now’

Issa Rae will tour major cities, giving fans an opportunity to dive into the details of her new book "I Should Be Smarter Now."

Multihyphenate Hollywood star Issa Rae is going on tour to promote her new book, I Should Be Smarter Now.

Hoorae Media released details of the upcoming tour dates on its Instagram page. The Rap Sh*t creator has listed tour dates in Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Atlanta.

I Should Be Smarter Now is described as a collection of essays that give life lessons from the Insecure actress’s career and personal journey.

In an exclusive interview with People, Rae spoke about her second authorial effort. She says the book is a reflective piece about the insight she’s gained and wishes she’d known sooner.

I Should Be Smarter Now is “part confession, part reflection and part ‘here’s what I wish I’d known,’” she said. “Mostly it’s just me being honest about the weird, wonderful journey from having big dreams to making them a reality.”

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The book releases Aug. 26 and is published through Amazon Original Stories. I Should Be Smarter Now follows up on her 2015 bestseller, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.

Six personal essays explore a wide range of topics. These include “The Business of Being Me” to “The Art of Strategic Procrastination.” Rae guides readers through her creative evolution. She offers candid insight on ambition, collaboration, and staying true to one’s vision in Hollywood’s competitive landscape.

Furthermore, Rae continues to expand her reach beyond the screen. The actress spearheads Hoorae, which houses Hoorae Media, Raedio music label, and the creative agency ColorCreative. Also, her creative footprint extends into community investing. Rae helped establish her company’s South L.A. headquarters and supports local businesses, such as Hilltop Café + Kitchen and the Destination Crenshaw nonprofit.

Her tour promises more than just intimate readings. The gathering promises conversations that connect, challenge, and inspire. Her depth of knowledge in business and creative endeavors will give attendees multiple avenues to explore in conversation with the star.

CHARLIE MITCHELL, michelin star, new york, chef — Photo by Sara Free: https://www.pexels.com/photo/gourmet-tuna-tartare-with-cocktail-in-atlanta-32050432/

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 14, 2025

NYC’s First Black Michelin-Starred Chef Shares Secret To His Success: ‘Stick To The Craft Always’

NYC's first Black Michelin-starred chef offers some simple advice to the next generation of Black culinary leaders.

From his humble roots in Detroit to helming Michelin-starred kitchens in New York City, Charlie Mitchell remains devoted to his passion for food and fun while paving the way for the next generation of Black chefs.

Mitchell made history in 2022 as the first Black chef in New York City to lead a Michelin-starred kitchen and only the second in the nation. His leadership at Clover Hill, a contemporary American restaurant in Brooklyn Heights, earned him the prestigious honor that he proudly carries as a beacon for future Black Michelin-starred chefs.

“I didn’t know I’d be in a position to inspire,” Mitchell told Afro Tech. “But now that I am, I embrace it. I love that kids can look at someone like me and see a path in fine dining.”

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Mitchell launched his culinary career at a Detroit bar many would see as modest, but one he once viewed as “fancy.” In 2016, he made his way to New York City, where he endured long hours, low pay, and missed holidays in pursuit of Michelin star status, a childhood dream he realized through a simple mantra he now shares with aspiring chefs.

“Stick to the craft always,” Mitchell said.

Driven by an unwavering focus and an early passion for cooking, Mitchell drew inspiration from his family’s culinary roots, spending hours watching Food Network and obsessing over the cooking competition show Iron Chef. By 21, he had landed his first chef role and soon set his sights on making Michelin-starred Black history.

“I learned there had never been a Black chef with three Michelin stars,” Mitchell said. “So I said, ‘Cool — let’s make that the goal.’”

Now serving as executive chef at Saga, a two-time Michelin-starred restaurant in Manhattan’s Financial District, Mitchell urges the next generation of Michelin-star hopefuls to persevere on their climb to the top, reminding them that hard work and fantastic food always pay off.

“The environment can be aggressive. It’s hierarchical,” he said. “A lot of us want to be our own boss, and we don’t respond well to being talked to a certain way. If you can push through and focus on the food — on learning the techniques — your story will come through. And people will feel it.”

Fior Scotch, scotch, veteran, Dominijanni, marine major, retired, alcohol, cancer — Photo by Pexels

by Mary Spiller

August 14, 2025

More Americans See Daily Drinking As Dangerous, Gallup Poll Finds

The survey found that over half of U.S. adults now believe that having 'one or two drinks a day' could have health risks.

Fewer Americans are drinking alcohol as growing health concerns reshape attitudes toward even moderate consumption, a new Gallup poll shows.

According to the survey, released on August 13, 53% of U.S. adults believe having “one or two drinks a day” poses health risks; 28% felt that way in 2015. This shift is especially pronounced among young adults.

“Older folks may be a little more hardened in terms of the whiplash they get with recommendations,” said Lydia Saad, Gallup’s director of U.S. social research. “It may take them a little longer to absorb or accept the information. Whereas, for young folks, this is the environment that they’ve grown up in…it would be the first thing young adults would have heard as they were coming into adulthood.”

Overall, just 54% of Americans now report drinking alcohol—the lowest level in three decades and one of the lowest since Gallup began tracking the question in 1939. For much of that history, at least 60% of U.S. adults said they drank liquor, beer, or wine.

Government data had shown alcohol consumption rising before the COVID-19 pandemic, but recent trends—particularly among younger adults and teens—point to a decline. Even among people who still drink, the poll suggests they do so less frequently. Only about a quarter of adults surveyed said they’d had a drink in the previous 24 hours, a record low, and roughly four in 10 reported it had been more than a week since their last drink.

Public health experts have increasingly warned that alcohol, once thought to have benefits for heart health, is linked to cancer and other serious risks. Countries worldwide have updated guidelines to reflect the growing scientific consensus that no level of alcohol consumption is risk-free.

According to the Associated Press, the U.S. is expected to release new dietary guidelines later this year under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. It is unclear whether recommendations for drinking will change to align with the Gallup studies’ results.

The poll highlights a generational divide: about two-thirds of adults aged 18 to 34 see moderate drinking as harmful, compared to about half of Americans over 55. In 2015, just two in 10 older adults shared that belief.

The Gallup findings suggest Americans may be reevaluating not only how much they drink, but whether drinking should remain a routine part of everyday life.

Candace Parker — Photo by Tyler Golden/ABC via Getty Images

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 14, 2025

Candace Parker, TNT Sports Agree to Contract Extension

'I’m grateful to keep doing what I love with my TNT Sports family,' Parker said in a statement.

WNBA legend Candace Parker has signed a multi-year contract extension to stay with TNT Sports as a sports analyst, the sports media giant announced.

Parker will also remain as a commentator for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on CBS Sports, a position she has held since 2019. She will also contribute to Bleacher Report and its B/R W platform and serve as a lead studio analyst for the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league, Unrivaled.

Candace Parker reached a multi-year extension with TNT Sports.

Under the new deal she will focus on a broader set of properties including: the Men's NCAA championship, Big East and Big 12 basketball and Unrivaled basketball. pic.twitter.com/z9QjVZWVQI
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 13, 2025

“I’m grateful to keep doing what I love with my TNT Sports family,” said Parker in a written statement. “Getting to cover the Big EAST, Big 12, March Madness, and now Unrivaled—it all means a lot. These moments are special, and I don’t take any of it for granted.”

After leading the University of Tennessee’s women’s basketball team to NCAA championships in 2007 and 2008, Parker was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008 and became the first player to win WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same season.

Parker played in L.A. for 13 years, winning her first WNBA championship in 2016 and the WNBA Finals MVP award. She then played in her hometown of Chicago, helping the Sky win a championship in 2021. For good measure, she headed to Las Vegas and won a title with the Aces in 2023, her final season.

Parker also won two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 with Team USA Women’s Basketball.

In June, the Sparks retired Parker’s No. 3 jersey during halftime of the team’s contest against the Chicago Sky. She was the third Sparks player to receive the honor, following Lisa Leslie (No. 9) and Penny Toler (No. 11).

On Aug. 25, Parker is scheduled to have her number retired by the Sky at the Wintrust Arena.

Milwaukee Men Rally To Help Community With Free Flood Cleanup

by Mary Spiller

August 14, 2025

Milwaukee Men Rally To Help Community With Free Flood Cleanup

'We're not FEMA, we're just brothers from Milwaukee.'

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has declared a state of emergency after torrential weekend rains caused what experts are calling a “1,000-year flood” across southeastern Wisconsin, overwhelming Milwaukee’s water systems and leaving homes submerged.

The tragedy has brought together a group of community men to volunteer with cleaning up.

As reported by WUWM, for residents like Crystal Trigg and Valerie Raspberry in Milwaukee’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, the flooding was worse than anything they’d seen before. “It’s a lake or a river,” Trigg said. “It’s a lake with no fish.”

When they called the city’s 211 hotline, the women got nowhere. “I had to Google the right website,” Raspberry said. “So I put my information on the website and nobody has contacted me yet.”

While many Milwaukee residents struggled to find help, Montreal Cain, whose own basement was swamped, took initiative. “I got a call from my pastor around 7 in the morning saying, ‘Hey, church is canceled,’” Cain recalled. “For me, church is a full workday, so my body was ready to work.”

Cain chronicled his work on Facebook Live. That inspired others like Aziz Abdullah to join in. The 20-plus volunteers formed an informal crew to pump out basements, remove ruined property, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

“I walk [into people’s homes] and people are like, ‘Oh, FEMA is here!’ And it’s like, we’re not FEMA, we’re just brothers from Milwaukee,” Cain said.

Abdullah described one home where floodwaters reached chest-high. A mother there, wary of opening her doors to strangers, eventually welcomed them in. “I mean one of my guys drove down from Eau Claire and had three kids. She made them a pizza,” Abdullah said. “After a while it’s like we know new people in Milwaukee.”

By later in the week, the volunteers were helping Trigg, Raspberry and their neighbors. “And now I can breathe…I can see I’m gonna get to the end of the tunnel,” Raspberry said. “I can see it now. But, at first, I had no hope.”

Abdullah and Cain are now part of a coalition of grassroots leaders—including Vaun Mays of the Community Task Force —who organized a GoFundMe campaign to rally community support for these FEMA-like groups helping Wisconsin recover.

New York fashion week, Verniese Brown — Courtesy of Verniese Brown

by Black Enterprise

August 14, 2025

Verniese Brown To Make NY Fashion Week Debut 6 Months After Starting Luxury Handbag Brand

Verniese Brown is commited to building not just a label but a legacy.

In a rarely seen feat in the world of luxury fashion, Black entrepreneur and designer Verniese Brown will make her New York Fashion Week debut this September, six months after founding her luxury handbag brand, VIE LORIE.

The milestone not only marks the arrival of a new name in high fashion but highlights the extraordinary determination, talent, and vision of a Black woman breaking into one of the industry’s most exclusive spaces.

Founded in February 2025, VIE LORIE has achieved in half a year what many fashion houses spend years striving toward. Without the backing of a large corporate machine, Brown has built a brand that is already turning heads among influential women, celebrities, and style insiders.

From private trunk shows in Atlanta and Chicago to being embraced by award-winning actress Cynthia Erivo, VIE LORIE’s designs have quickly become synonymous with elegance, strength, and intentionality.

The brand’s signature handbags—such as The Valencia, The Vittoria, and The Vanna—are celebrated for their sculptural silhouettes, meticulous craftsmanship, and timeless design. Each piece tells a story of power and grace, reflecting Verniese Brown’s commitment to building not just a label, but a legacy.

The highly anticipated NYFW debut will take place at the Hall des Lumières, an immersive, art-filled venue as grand and inspiring as the brand itself. The presentation will unveil VIE LORIE’s newest collection, featuring fresh color stories, evolved structures, and the same quiet sophistication that has defined its meteoric rise.

“This is more than a show; it’s a statement,” said Brown. “As a Black woman designing in the luxury space, I want to show that we can create at the highest level without compromise—and that our stories belong on the biggest stages.”

With no traditional advertising, VIE LORIE’s growth has been fueled by word-of-mouth, personal connections, and a loyal client base that values both artistry and authenticity. Brown’s rapid ascent serves as an inspiring reminder that with clarity, discipline, and an unwavering vision, breaking barriers is possible—even in the most elite corners of fashion.

Six months in, VIE LORIE has already proven it belongs in the conversation. This September at New York Fashion Week, the world will see exactly why.

About
Founded in 2025 by Verniese Brown, VIE LORIE is a Black woman-owned luxury handbag brand dedicated to timeless design, meticulous craftsmanship, and the empowerment of women who lead with intention. Each handbag is crafted as a statement piece, embodying elegance, strength, and legacy.

Cecred, Beyonce, hair care, products — (Photo: Mason Poole/Parkwood Media/Getty Images for Atlantis The Royal)

by Mary Spiller

August 14, 2025

Beyoncé Wins First Emmy For ‘Beyoncé Bowl’ Costume Design, Edging Closer To EGOT Status

Beyoncé received the Emmy for the costume design work on her “Beyoncé Bowl” performance.

Beyoncé has won her first Primetime Emmy Award for costume design for her “Beyoncé Bowl” halftime show, a Western-inspired performance that streamed on Netflix during the NFL’s Christmas Day game.

The honor, announced Aug. 12 by the Television Academy in its juried categories, recognizes Beyoncé and her creative team — Shiona Turini, Erica Rice, Molly Peters, Chelsea Staebell, and Timothy White — in the category of Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction or Reality Program.

“This is historic,” one observer said. “It feels like Beyoncé has unlocked a new door.”

Panels of industry experts decide juried Emmy categories and have no formal nominees. Winners will receive their awards during the Creative Arts Emmys in Los Angeles next month.

After 10 previous nominations without a win, Beyoncé’s Emmy marks a milestone in her career and moves her closer to EGOT status, needing only an Oscar and a Tony to complete the rare quartet of awards.

The 13-minute halftime show, held in Beyoncé’s hometown of Houston, featured live performances of “16 Carriages,” “Blackbird,” and “Ya Ya” from her Cowboy Carter album. With over 500 performers — including Post Malone and Blue Ivy Carter — the performance celebrated Black Southern and Western heritage, setting streaming records.

Netflix reported the event peaked at 27 million viewers during the game and an additional 50 million streams within 10 days, with #BeyonceBowl even trending higher than #Christmas on X.

In addition to her costume design win, Beyoncé remains in contention for two more Emmys at the upcoming Creative Arts ceremony: Outstanding Variety Special (Live) and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special. Adding intrigue, her husband Jay-Z is also nominated as executive producer for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, which is up for the same variety special award.

With 35 Grammy Awards already to her name, Beyoncé’s latest recognition underscores her influence both on stage and behind the scenes.