by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 15, 2025

Study Finds Hairstylists For Black And Latina Clients Face High Exposure To Airborne Toxins

A new study reveals salons serving predominantly Black and Latina clients may expose workers to elevated levels of harmful airborne chemicals.

Johns Hopkins researchers highlighted findings from their study in the Journal of Environmental Exposure Assessment on Jan. 14. The study marks the first report on indoor air concentrations of various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in U.S. hair salons catering to Black and Latina women.

The study expands on earlier Johns Hopkins research, which revealed that Black and Hispanic hairdressers had higher levels of chemicals from hair relaxers, dyes, and other salon products in their bodies compared to office workers. However, the previous research did not measure the air concentrations of these chemicals.

“At the root of the problem are the products used on clients’ hair,” said Lesliam Quirós-Alcalá, Ph.D., a senior study author and associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering.

“Manufacturers of haircare products need to focus on developing safer options that don’t put hairstylists or consumers in harm’s way.”

In animal studies, several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in products such as chemical relaxers, straighteners, and smoothing treatments have been associated with neurodevelopmental and reproductive effects. These VOCs potentially endanger both women and their unborn children. Female hairstylists are more vulnerable to these harmful chemicals as many are of reproductive age and work during crucial periods before and during pregnancy.

In addition to the neurodevelopmental and reproductive effects the VOCs have, these compounds have been linked to respiratory and cardiovascular issues, skin irritation, and cancer. Black and Latina women comprise approximately 30% of the predominantly female, low-wage workforce of hairstylists, according to Quirós-Alcalá.

Many women in this field face increased challenges, including exposure to chemical and non-chemical stressors, along with limited access to healthcare and insurance. These factors significantly heighten their health risks and contribute to environmental health disparities within this demographic.

Researchers recommend improving ventilation in salons as a practical solution, given the limited availability of safer hair product alternatives.

“While limiting product use could help, it may not always be practical due to client demands and a lack of safer alternatives,” Quirós-Alcalá said. “To reduce VOC exposures in hair salons, it is also critical to prioritize adequate ventilation.”

Manufacturers advise salons to use fans, air purifiers, masks, and gloves during chemical-intensive services to minimize exposure. Additionally, opening doors and windows when possible can help enhance indoor air quality.

“These simple measures have the potential to significantly decrease exposures to VOCs and other chemicals in salon environments,” she said.

Starbucks, closures, restructuring, tariffs

by Kandiss Edwards

January 15, 2025

Starbucks Is No Longer Allows Non-Paying Customers Access To Its Facilities

Starbucks is no longer allowing nonpaying customers in its buildings.

Starbucks is ending its open-door policy for non-paying patrons. The company’s new Code of Conduct outlines areas within its establishments that are now off-limits to those who do not make a purchase.

“We want to ensure our spaces are prioritized for use by our customers,” the code states. “Our spaces -– including our cafes, patios, and restrooms -– are for use by customers and partners.”

Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson released a statement to Fox News Digital, emphasizing the company’s commitment to creating the best environment for patrons. She said the best way to achieve this is by setting “clear expectations” and excluding individuals who do not purchase products.

“We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our stores,” Anderson said. “By setting clear expectations for behavior and use of our spaces, we can create a better environment for everyone.”

The code of conduct also encourages employees to ask any persons vaping, smoking, and panhandling to leave the premises.

This marks a full departure from Starbucks’s open-door policy, which it instituted in 2018. Then-Chairman Howard Schultz specified that all individuals were welcome to use the restroom, even without the intention to make a purchase.

“We don’t want to become a public bathroom,” Schultz said, “but we’re going to make the right decision a hundred percent of the time and give people the key.”

The 2018 policy change followed an incident in which Rashon Nelson and Donte Robinson were arrested for not purchasing anything while waiting for a third companion. The incident, which involved a contentious exchange between the men and Starbucks employees, made headlines.

Nelson and Robinson settled with the company, received an undisclosed amount of money, and guaranteed four years of college tuition. The men also settled their claim with the city of Philadelphia over the arrest for $1. As part of the agreement, the city is required to create a program for young entrepreneurs.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 15, 2025

Coco Jones To Perform National Anthem At College Football Playoff National Championship

The rest of the game's entertainment will have an Atlanta feel.

The entertainment for Jan. 20’s College Football Playoff National Championship between Ohio State and Notre Dame is all set, highlighted by Coco Jones singing the national anthem prior to kickoff.

Jones will be joined by award-winning musician, composer, arranger, and music director Adam Blackstone.

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A post shared by College Football Playoff (@cfbplayoff)

Before she displays her vocal skills, a Joint Armed Forces Color Guard from the United States Central Command will carry flags that represent the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard. A giant American flag will be unfurled by volunteers within the Atlanta community.

The Spelman College Glee Club, celebrating its 100th year, will perform “America the Beautiful” prior to the national anthem.

Johrgia Peaches, a 14-year-old eighth-grader from Newnan, will perform “America the Beautiful” in American Sign Language (ASL), while 20-year-old Alexander Charlot, a 12th-grade student from Monroe, will do the same for “Star-Spangled Banner” in ASL.

Peaches and Charlot are students at the Atlanta Area School for the Deaf (AASD), a state school serving over 110 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing students from over 27 school districts all over the metro Atlanta area.

The marching bands from both schools will perform on the field before the game and during halftime.

Since the contest takes place on Martin Luther King Day, the Civil Rights icon daughter’s, Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, will flip the coin at the start of the game.

The pregame activities start at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the game starting at 7:45 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The pregame, halftime, and postgame entertainment will be produced by Michael T. Fiur Productions.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 15, 2025

Gov. Greg Abbott Threatens Job Of Texas A&M President Over Concerns University Broke DEI Ban

Abbott expressed that the president would be gone unless he reversed a decision to invite students to a DEI-focused conference.

Gov. Greg Abbott seemingly threatened the job of Texas A&M University President Mark Welsh III over concerns that the school broke a statewide DEI ban.

Abbott had choice words for the university’s president after news broke of the school participating in a conference that restricted attendance to only people of color. According to the Texas Tribune, a conservative activist reportedly shared the university’s email, including details of the DEI-focused event. It prioritized inviting staffers and Ph.D. students who identified as Black, Hispanic, or Native American.

An X user then asked Abbott and the state attorney general for their action on the issue. Abbott responded that he would not tolerate such activity and would hold Welsh accountable for allowing it to occur. He stated that it “violates” not only state law but also the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, he alleged that the president could face termination.

Hell, no.

It’s against Texas law and violates the US Constitution.

It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone. https://t.co/g3VTUXWvLb
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) January 14, 2025

“Hell, no,” expressed Abbott. “It’s against Texas law and violates the U.S. Constitution. It will be fixed immediately or the president will soon be gone.”

The ban, known as Senate Bill 17, prohibits public universities from having DEI offices. It also prohibits DEI training or “preferential treatment” based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.

However, the email already stated that the university system’s general counsel ensured the conference’s compliance with the DEI ban. In light of the growing controversy, Welsh also released a statement affirming that the school abides by these regulations.

A statement from Texas A&M University President Mark A. Welsh III: Texas A&M does not support any organization, conference, process or activity that excludes people based on race, creed, gender, age or any other discriminating factor. The intent of SB-17 is very clear in that…
— Texas A&M University (@TAMU) January 14, 2025

“Texas A&M does not support any organization, conference, process or activity that excludes people based on race, creed, gender, age or any other discriminating factor,” detailed the academic leader. “The intent of SB-17 is very clear in that regard. We will continue to honor both the letter and the intent of the law.”

However, Welsh expressed in another email that he and the administrators had not “fully considered the spirit of our state law” when sending out the invitation. He then seemingly agreed with the governor’s remarks on the attendance requirement. In light of this, Welsh decided to forego sending anyone to the conference on behalf of Texas A&M.

“This particular conference’s limitations on the acceptable race of attendees is not in line with the intent of SB 17, and, as a result, we will not be sending anyone to participate in this conference,” he wrote to the Mays Business School. “We need to be sure that attendance at those events is aligned with the very clear guidance we’ve been given by our governing bodies.”

The DEI ban remains controversial nationwide, with a mix of supporters and opposers within the state. However, Texas lawmakers expect to revisit its regulations and potentially expand them this year.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

January 15, 2025

Donald Trump Claims His ‘Historic Victory’ In the Election Led To Peace Agreement Between Israel And Hamas

Donald Trump announces that a peace agreement has been reached in the Middle East and cites his election win.

Incoming President Donald Trump has announced a deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas that will release the hostages being held since Oct. 7, 2023.

Trump took to his Truth Social platform on Wednesday morning amid growing reports of a peace agreement being reached in the Middle East for a ceasefire.

“We have a deal for the hostages in the Middle East,” Trump wrote.

While President Joe Biden and his administration have been working around the clock to reach a deal before Biden’s term ends on Monday, Trump beat the White House to the punch on social media by announcing the agreement and seemingly taking credit.

“This EPIC ceasefire agreement could have only happened as a result of our Historic Victory in November, as it signaled to the entire World that my Administration would seek Peace and negotiate deals to ensure the safety of all Americans and our Allies,” he wrote in a Truth Social post.

“We have achieved so much without even being in the White House,” Trump continued. “Just imagine all of the wonderful things that will happen when I return to the White Hous, and my administration is fully confirmed, so they can secure more Victories for the United States!”

President Biden has since acknowledged the ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of continued negotiations for a permanent truce. Prior to his inauguration, Trump warned that “all Hell will break loose” if the hundreds of Israeli hostages were not freed by noon on Jan. 20th.

As the news unfolded, Marco Rubio, the likely incoming Secretary of State, pointed out during his confirmation hearing that Trump’s advisors had collaborated closely with current Secretary of State Tony Blinken’s team to finalize the deal, with the Qatari government playing a crucial role as intermediaries.

The Qataris are scheduled to hold a press briefing soon to announce the deal officially. President Biden will also address the media, according to the White House. Under the agreement, 33 hostages are expected to be released as early as this weekend, forming the first group to be freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has stated that a ceasefire deal has not yet been finalized, with some unresolved details. But, many hope that “details will be finalized tonight.” The announcement follows 466 days of conflict after Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Gaza’s Health Ministry says the death toll from the Israel-Hamas war has climbed above 46,000.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

January 15, 2025

The Grave Of Octavia Butler, Writer Who Once Prophesied LA Fires, Still Stands In Altadena Cemetery

Butler's work has resurfaced for its depictions of the future seemingly coming to life.

The grave of Octavia Butler, whose novel Parable Of The Sower imagined fires engulfing Los Angeles, still stands at a local cemetery in Altadena.

Butler’s work has gained new traction after seemingly prophesying the tragedy that still threatens metro Los Angeles. In a coincidence, despite her grave site’s location in one of the main communities impacted by the fires, the cemetery’s website confirmed minimal damage to the grounds.

While a spokesperson for Mountain View cemetery confirmed to The Associated Press that the property still stands, so do the harrowing words of Butler. Written in 1993, Parable of the Sower depicts a future Los Angeles. Eerily set in 2025, the city is ravaged by fires prompted by climate change and other environmental concerns. Moreover, these issues become worsened by racism and economic disparities.

The first fire in the novel only foreshadowed the flames to come, with some calling Butler’s reading a warning. The book’s 1998 sequel, Parable of the Talents, also depicts an authoritative politician who sought to “Make America Great Again.” While currently associated with President-elect Donald Trump, Butler originally heard the phrase used by Ronald Reagan. However, the similarities between her decades-old literature and real life remain uncanny.

Butler also grew up in Altadena’s neighboring community of Pasadena, hence her nearby burial. Prior to her 2005 death, a student asked her about her own belief about whether the world was heading toward destruction.

“I didn’t make up the problems,” remarked Butler. “All I did was look around at the problems we’re neglecting now and give them about 30 years to grow into full-fledged disasters.”

The Kindred novelist remains heralded as an esteemed writer for science fiction and Afrofuturism. Her legacy continues to live on in her hometown as well. A bookstore named in her honor currently serves as a donation center for fire victims.

Butler did share a glimpse into a future that has seemingly come to life. However, she encouraged hope to change the narrative through her 2000 essay “A Few Rules for Predicting the Future.” With lessons such as learning from the past and to anticipate the surprises, she didn’t want her work to scare readers. Instead, she aimed to make them aware and continue the fight for a better fate.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

January 15, 2025

Is New York City Congestion Pricing Working?

After implementing “congestion pricing” for vehicle travel into the busiest sections of Manhattan, New York’s MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is claiming that charging folks to enter certain areas is “working,” according to figures for the first week.

According to The New York Post, although the agency is trying to make people feel they’ve made the right move to add more financial burdens to those affected by it, critics don’t believe them. Officials from the MTA have stated in their first report that travel times on the bridges that connect the outer boroughs to Manhattan, south of 61st Street, was down by as much as 40% during the first week. They also claim that car traffic south of 61st Street fell by 16% from October and 7.5% from the same time in January 2024. That amounts to 273,000 fewer cars for the first week of congestion pricing in comparison to last year’s numbers.

The transit agency stated that “anecdotal reports” show traffic is moving better in the congestion zone due to the $9 price point for cars (trucks and larger vehicles pay more based on several different factors). They said more people are taking public transportation, as ridership has increased.

“I think it’s obvious to everybody here that it has been a very good week here in New York,” MTA Deputy Chief of Policy and External Relations Juliette Michaelson told reporters on Monday. “Just look out the window. There is less traffic and quicker streets. I think everybody can see it.”

Critics do not believe what the MTA is touting.

“The MTA math is more than fuzzy — it’s fugazi,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens) said. “I believe in their mathematical skills as much as I believed in their timeline for the Second Avenue subway.”

Susan Lee, who runs New Yorkers Against Congestion Taxes, also had a differing opinion.

“January is usually the slowest month of the year,” said Lee, who lives in the Tribeca section of Manhattan. “While some areas experience less traffic, others have seen higher than average congestion due to drivers avoiding paying the congestion pricing tax. The MTA should be careful what they’re celebrating.”

And there is another factor that the MTA may not have included when reporting these numbers.

The city just weathered some snow and below-freezing temperatures during the same time, which may have had an effect on people not leaving their homes. So far, this has been the coldest January in recent years.

by Kandiss Edwards

January 15, 2025

Officer Convicted In George Floyd Murder Released From Prison

Minneapolis police officer convicted of aiding and abetting murder of George Floyd to be released from federal prison.

Minneapolis police officer J. Alexander Kueng, convicted in the killing of George Floyd, is set to be released on Jan. 15.

Kueng, 31, was charged with aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter for his role in Floyd’s death. Video and eyewitness testimony showed Kueng kneeling on Floyd’s back while his accomplice Derek Chauvin kneeled on Floyd’s neck, cutting off his ability to breathe. Kueng was also charged with violating Floyd’s civil rights in his role as a law enforcement officer.

After pleading guilty, Kueng was sentenced to a 3½-year state sentence, which ran concurrently with his three-year federal sentence. The former officer began serving his time in 2022 at FCI Elkton in Lisbon, Ohio, Star Tribune reported.

Kueng did not serve the full 3½-year sentence. According to a spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, this is not unusual. The representative explained that the “First Step Act and other factors” determine parole eligibility.

Tou Thao, another officer convicted of aiding in Floyd’s death, is still serving his five-year sentence for the May 25, 2020, murder. Thao prevented bystanders from intervening as Chauvin and Thomas Lane held Floyd down for nearly 9½ minutes. He reportedly will be released in 2025.

The main perpetrator of the crime, Chauvin, was convicted of murder and manslaughter, and sentenced to 22 years for the state charge and 21 years for federal civil rights violations. He is serving both sentences concurrently.

In November 2024, Derek Chauvin filed a motion to have his charges vacated. The convicted murderer argues that his guilty plea was made without knowledge of theories presented by pathologist Dr. William Schaetzel.

Schaetzel claims that Floyd’s death was caused by a high level of catecholamines, a neurohormone linked to stress, in combination with a fight-or-flight response or Takotsubo myocarditis, a heart condition, as previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE.

Chauvin’s attorneys were granted permission in December 2024 to examine Floyd’s heart tissue in support of Schaetzel’s claims.

“The discovery that Mr. Chauvin seeks could support Dr. Schaetzel’s opinion of how Mr. Floyd died, the Court finds that there is good cause to allow Mr. Chauvin to take the discovery that he seeks,” U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson ruled.

For now, Chauvin remains incarcerated in a Texas prison.

NAUPA, unclaimed, property, money, cash, welfare, wealth, millionaire, Game developer, hardship grants, united way

by Mitti Hicks

January 15, 2025

REPORT: ‘Cash Poor’ Americans Spent $38B In Fees Beyond Loan APR Rates

“Cash poor” means having wealth in assets but insufficient liquid money available for spending and saving.

A troubling report has revealed that borrowing costs for cash-poor Americans living paycheck to paycheck are significantly higher than they expect to pay back. SoLo’s 2025 Cash Poor Report shows Americans paid more than $39 billion in fees beyond the advertised Annual Percentage Rate when borrowing money from some financial institutions to cover unplanned expenses.

According to Experian, being “cash poor” means having wealth in assets but insufficient liquid money available for spending and saving. SoLo, the only Black-owned fintech certified B Corp in the U.S. and Canada, says the figures in its report revealed a 32% increase from 2023.

What’s even more alarming in the report is that cash-poor consumers aren’t just the working class. They also represent middle-class Americans with college degrees, people who own homes, and those who consider themselves investors. Cash-poor consumers include Americans who have six-figure incomes.

“One in seven cash-poor Americans makes over $75,000 a year,” the report from SoLo reads. “Troubling trends show that nearly half of Americans living paycheck to paycheck have less than $200 In their checking and savings accounts.”

SoLo analysts, in partnership with Opinium Research, Pace University, the Global Black Economic Forum, Aspen Institute, Financial Security Program, and the Independent Women’s Forum, surveyed 2,000 American adults spanning Gen Z, millennials, Gen X, boomers, and the Silent Generation. Their data compared fees as a percentage of a $1,000 loan.

The Best and Worst Options For Cash Poor Americans, According to Report

According to the report, the APR rate does not include late fees, origination fees, subscription fees, transaction fees, or other expenses that create what analysts call “debt traps” for consumers in a financial crisis.

The data shows that subprime credit cards are the most expensive option for unplanned expenses. The average cost increased to 48%, up from 41% in 2023. Because of high total fees, penalties, and monthly maintenance fees, the maximum fees can reach 90% of the principal borrowed.

“These cards account for $19.6 billion in aggregate borrowing costs in 2024, marking an $8 billion increase from last year,” according to the report.

Payday loans have the highest minimum borrowing cost among all options. Maximum costs reach 67% due to origination fees, late fees, and penalties. According to the report, aggregate costs for payday loans increased to $6.7 billion in 2024 from $6.2 billion in 2023.

Bank small-dollar loans are a relatively new offering that emerged last year. It had the third-highest costs, just behind subprime credit cards and payday loans. However, there are significant barriers to entry.

“They averaged a 25% borrowing cost this year, with a minimum fee of 12%, largely due to mandatory account balance and deposit requirements,” the report says.

Aggregate costs for bank small-dollar loans are estimated at $5.8 billion in 2024.

Earned wage access solutions offered one of the lowest average borrowing costs this past year at 13%. However, fees can rise to 26% due to optional tipping and transaction charges.

Aggregate borrowing costs for payroll advances increased to $3.8 billion in 2024, up from $3.2 billion in 2023.

Peer-to-peer loans, or P2P loans, like those offered by SoLo, remained the most affordable option regarding aggregate borrowing costs. They totaled just $1 billion in 2024, down from $1.3 billion in 2023.

Borrowing can be free for disciplined users who pay on time, but average costs due to tips and late fees can reach up to 17%.

“Being cash-poor is a way of life for most Americans,” said Rodney Williams, president and co-founder of SoLo, who says this way of life creates vulnerability in managing variable and unplanned expenses.

“The vulnerability is not the time for a lack of options but rather an opportunity for innovation and competition. We want Congress and regulators to embrace innovation and allow more convenient and accessible frameworks given the same playing field as traditional financial institutions,” he adds.

Read the full report at www.theCashPoor.com

RELATED CONTENT: SNAP Increases Income Eligibility Requirements

by Mitti Hicks

January 15, 2025

Millions of TikTok ‘Refugees’ Are Moving Over To The Chinese App ‘RedNote’

The actual name of the Chinese-owned app is Xiaohongshu, which translates to Little Red Book in English. Americans have shortened it to RedNote.

As the ban on TikTok looms, creators have been scrambling to find an alternative. Many are finding a new home in RedNote. The actual name of the Chinese-owned app is Xiaohongshu, which translates to Little Red Book in English. Americans have shortened it to RedNote.

According to CNN, the app has been under the radar of Americans since it was created in 2012. However, it now ranks number one in the App Store. Lemon8, another Chinese social media app owned by TikTok’s owner ByteDance, ranks number two.

The app is one of China’s largest social media platforms with over 300 million users, CNN reported. It has been used as an Instagram alternative in China, where users share lifestyle tips, including travel, makeup, and fashion.

Americans are gravitating to the app as TikTok faces a shutdown if it fails to find a buyer. One reason why content creators are using it is an act of defiance over the U.S. leader’s controversial decision to control what many perceive as an assault on their First Amendment rights when they decided to ban TikTok.

“It was a bit of a spite thing. I also wanted to be one of the first people over there,” Christina Shuler, owner of Glam Farmhouse, told Time. “Hopefully I can be part of the crowd that maybe can change how our government views this whole situation.”

Chinese Users Welcoming ‘TikTok Refugees’ To RedNote

As more people migrate to RedNote, Chinese users are welcoming Americans who are finding a new home for the social media platform. Some users have reportedly gone the extra mile to help what they call “TikTok refugees” navigate the app.

Interestingly enough, while Xiaohongshu was not created for English speakers, TikTok is banned in China and inaccessible. Like other U.S. social media platforms banned, such as Facebook and YouTube, China has made a TikTok sister app, Douyin, that people use.

As more people migrate to RedNote, Chinese users are welcoming Americans who are finding a new home for the social media platform. Some users have reportedly gone the extra mile to help what they call “TikTok refugees” navigate the app.

Last year, Congress passed a bill that forces ByteDance to either sell TikTok by Jan. 19 or face a ban in the U.S. TikTok has since taken the argument that this bill violates freedom of speech to the Supreme Court. Still, the high court expressed skepticism about the company’s legal arguments.

ByteDance has doubled down on its position of not selling, which means the ban will likely go into effect Sunday.