Thursday, March 23, 2023

Trip to Africa Inspires Black Activist to Write About Global Water Crisis

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TRIP TO AFRICA INSPIRES BLACK ACTIVIST TO WRITE A REALITY FICTION BOOK ON THE GLOBAL WATER CRISIS


Nationwide -- It’s so easy to take water for granted until it’s gone. For author and activist Papi Kymone Freeman, the best approach to explain the global water crisis was after his trip to Africa, when he decided to write a fictional book using Marvel-like superheroes to tell the story of climate change, global warming and the privatization of water. NINEVEH (pronounced ni·nuh·vuh) is a fiction novel about a conflict over water set in the future in a post-oil-depleted dystopian society. NINEVEH novel releases on March 22, 2023 – World Water Day.

“I spent the summer in Nairobi, Kenya, with a fellowship from the American Friends Service Committee, a Quaker organization dedicated to service, where we were forced to use bottled water to brush our teeth,” said Kymone Freeman, author of NINEVEH. “I saw people collecting water where goats were drinking. I saw parents feed babies Coca-Cola in their bottles because the soda was safer than the available water. Today, we see the water crisis even in America, from the Flint water crisis to now in Jackson, Mississippi.”

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Learn About The Mom, Dad, and Two Kids Providing Black Families With 6 and 7-Star Luxury Travel Experiences

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THE MOM, DAD, AND TWO KIDS PROVIDING BLACK FAMILIES WITH 6 AND 7-STAR LUXURY TRAVEL EXPERIENCES


Glenn and Amanda Goring and their two daughters, Brooklyn and Lexington, are the owners/operators of a successful luxury travel business called In-Style Travel. Mom and Dad book the accommodations, curate travel itineraries, and serve as travel concierges for the luxury travel packages offered.

Meanwhile, the two daughters serve as travel influencers and video bloggers for their company’s YouTube channel, LittleMissTravelers. Together, this family travels in style and aims to show the world that luxury travel can be a wonderful experience for everyone including Black families with small children.

Both licensed pharmacists, Amanda from New York and Glenn, originally from Canada, met while attending the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy. The couple has been married for 13 years.

They were travel enthusiasts and enjoyed traveling together before becoming parents. To their dismay, the travel agent they first encountered after their first daughter, Brooklyn, was born tried to discourage them from traveling with their two-month-old baby. The travel agent immediately informed them of the services the resort would not provide to accommodate the new parents.  Undeterred, the couple took it upon themselves to plan their itinerary and enjoyed a life-changing travel experience.

When thinking of all the other Black parents who may have been similarly discouraged, Glenn and Amanda became inspired to officially launch In-Style Travel to curate luxurious travel packages intended specifically for Black families, looking to enjoy international and domestic travel with children of all ages.

Friday, March 17, 2023

Kemah Duopu's Vegan Nail Polish Brand "Harmon Polish" Wins Pitch Competition

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FOUNDER OF BLACK-OWNED VEGAN NAIL POLISH BRAND WINS PITCH COMPETITION

Kemah Duopu, is the Founder and CEO at Harmon Polish.  She is celebrating having won $5,000 at the Heaven Center Pitch Competition at Awakening Trade & Conference held in Plano, Texas. The Awakening Africa Hub, a one-stop-shop resource for helping today’s entrepreneurs build tomorrow.

The Expo provides an opportunity to strengthen business and economic relationships among business people operating in Africa, America and the rest of the world, thereby creating shared prosperity, mutual trust and collective incentives for the public and private partnerships leading to the development of prosperous and sustainable economic initiatives between the US and Africa. The event included 25+ speakers, 70+ exhibitors, 10+ workshops, and entertainment representing more than 50 countries. It offered valuable opportunities to learn about the latest in trade, investment, and market trends.

The Heaven Center Pitch Competition featured five finalists with an opportunity to win $5,000 to a minority entrepreneur. The competition was for minority entrepreneurs to pitch their ideas and build strong networks with ambitious and passionate individuals and mentors. Their goal is to encourage and support entrepreneurship in the African American community by offering competitions where entrepreneurs can receive constructive feedback from experienced venture capitalists and established CEOs.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Black Mom Now Wows Fans, Officially as Pop Star Vallyre

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BLACK MOM NOW WOWS FANS, OFFICIALLY AS POP STAR VALLYRE

The global pandemic has led many to consider creative endeavors, reevaluate their passions, and find new and different revenue sources. Valerie is a hardworking single mom of twin nine-year-old boys who has loved singing since she was a child. She is a singer-songwriter and has recently rebranded herself as a performing pop star. As Vallyre, she has released several singles, “COLDCHILL,” “BREAKOUT,” “BLOODSWEAT,” “DYNAMITE,” among others. Her music is now available for purchase on nearly all streaming platforms, including Soundcloud and Spotify. And as of January 2023, she celebrates the acceptance of her trademark application.

Vallyre grew up in the inner-city of Boston, MA and took singing lessons at the acclaimed TrueVoice NYC Academy. Later, after achieving her Associate’s degree, she began songwriting, investing in her talent and taking voice lessons at Iron Work Studios. During this time, Vallyre learned she would soon be a mom and became more intentional about participating in open-mic events. “Folks tend to let go of their dreams once they have children. For me, it was quite the opposite, says Vallyre. “Becoming a parent inspired me to push things into first gear and get started.”

Starting and stopping her pursuits for roughly ten years, Vallyre considered music a hobby, while her brother, Will, was actively performing as a rap artist and well-known throughout their area. “My brother used to do shows in the area all the time. When he passed away, that inspired me to do everything I can to keep striving,” says Vallyre. Upon his untimely death in 2018, she put more concerted effort behind her singing, songwriting, and live performances and branded herself as an independent music artist. From earnings as an Institutional Safety Officer, this mom of two paid for photo shoots, launched her website, fully funded her projects, and produced a music video. And she did it all on her own. To date, her music has over 25,000 streams on Soundcloud. Her music video for “BLOODSWEAT,” though 45 seconds long, now has over 195,000 views.

Vallyre has a fascination for George Michael’s catchy melodies, heartfelt lyrics, and warm vocals. Her musical inspirations are the producer team, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, while her style is an eclectic mix of Pop, Dance Music, R&B, and Techno/Electronica. Collaborating with multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated producer Art Shweky, Vallyre released her first EP, ‘EXPLOSION,’ on the SoundCloud platform. Vallyre’s new song, “BLOODSWEAT,” a Techno Dance track with hypnotic vocals, was co-written with producer Howie Moscovitch, who she’s collaborated with through Skype. Surprisingly, Vallyre met producer Howie Moscovitch after he’d reached out through Facebook. The two connected and forged a songwriting team that works.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Civil Rights Activist Essie Berry Calls Out CVS Pharmacy For Sexual Harassment and Assault

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CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST ESSIE BERRY CALLS OUT CVS PHARMACY FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ASSAULT

Civil Rights Activist Essie Berry, the widow of the late Fred “ReRun” Berry from the 1970’s sitcom What’s Happening is stepping into the ring with CVS Pharmacy. She has filed a complaint on behalf of Ms. Deborah Johnson, an employee of CVS Pharmacy previously known as Savon Drugs Store, who has been employed since 1995. The incident of retaliation and discrimination took place when Ms. Johnson when she spoke out against the predator who committed sexual assault & harassment acts against her at the CVS Pharmacy located in Montclair, California.

These allegations have reportedly been covered up since 2009 until now. Berry says that Johnson has had a severe meltdown and has been under doctor’s continuous care mentally, physically and emotionally for the past two years. Even more, after careful consideration and a full analysis and investigation of Ms. Johnson’s case, it has been determined that she has been victimized as well as traumatized by the CVS Pharmacy Store Manager.

Berry comments, “It is my clear understanding after having a conversation with Ms. Johnson’s therapist that all allegations of abuse did indeed occur. CVS Pharmacy Human Resources did nothing to stop the manager’s actions of becoming a predator to Ms. Johnson, Nor did CVS Pharmacy protect her from the ongoing aftermath. Over a decade later, CVS Pharmacy’s code of conduct and sexual harassment policies were violated.”

Thursday, March 9, 2023

The Melanoid Chronicles Becomes The First Encyclopedia Series For the African Diaspora in the New Millennium

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THE FIRST EVER ENCYCLOPEDIA SERIES FOR THE AFRICAN DIASPORA IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

Au’loni Media Group, LLC has launched The Melanoid Chronicles, the first-ever encyclopedia series for the African Diaspora in the New Millennium and the first to ever be created in the United States of America.

So far, The Melanoid Chronicles have been featured on 43 Comcast networks including The OWN Network, Fox News, NBC, ESPN, The NFL Network, Entertainment Channel (E!), The Discovery Channel, TV Land, The Hallmark Channel, Music Television (MTV), Paramount, and USA. The series has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal (MarketWatch), on Fox News, and on local, national, and international radio stations and podcasts.

Au’loni Media Group, LLC was most recently selected as a Marquis Who’s Who in America, received the 2022 Philadelphia Award in the areas of Business and Coaching, and was inducted into The Philadelphia Media Founder’s Exchange with The Lenfest Institute of Journalism. In addition, our podcast #BlackWealthIsBack was rated #13 of the Top 90 Podcasts for “Black Wealth and Finance” by FeedSpot.

The first edition addresses the first 20 years of the new millennium. There’s no secret that black history as we know it, is a watered-down version of the many contributions that members of the African Diaspora have contributed to creating and developing America. As Michelle Obama said at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, “She lives in a house (white house) that was built by slaves.” Before she said it, how many people actually knew that?

In traditional educational institutions, very few trailblazers from the African Diaspora are featured outside of Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X. This has created two issues in our society. An entire race who has been denied their history which we see the effects of every day and the idea that keeps racism at its highest levels, that only Caucasian/European-based races founded and created every aspect of our society.

See How Young Nurse Samantha Cepeda's Platform Gives 1,000’s of Nursing Students a New Fun Interactive Way to Study

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YOUNG NURSE SAMANTHA CEPEDA'S PLATFORM GIVES THOUSANDS OF NURSING STUDENTS A NEW INTERACTIVE WAY TO STUDY

Samantha Cepeda, is a licensed practical nurse, artist, and educator from Atlanta, who is also the founder and CEO of The Nurse Sam, a leading resource for visual and interactive learning for nursing students. Her platform offers a new approach to studying with the use of innovation and artistry. Following the philosophy that “a person retains when entertained,” she helps students to effectively digest information while making learning a more fun experience.

Samantha founded the company in 2018, after going through an emergency hysterectomy just 5 days after her wedding. Today, her website has a continuously growing following who benefit from her unique learning materials. She has become a leading resource for nursing students at all levels! “I’m giving nursing students a new way to study and retain information that they will enjoy,” says Nurse Sam.

There are several types of educational content available on in the site. In addition to digital study guides, the site also offers other learning media such as online courses and live broadcasts.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

8-Year-Old, Grandma Launch Black-Owned Skincare Brand for Kids

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8-YEAR-OLD PARTNERS WITH HER GRANDMOTHER TO LAUNCH BLACK-OWNED SKINCARE BRAND FOR KIDS

Cheryl Brown and her 8-year-old granddaughter, Skye, are the founders of Skye Monroe Skincare, a Black-owned brand that has been described as “the best natural skincare for kids on the market.” Their company focuses on providing quality beauty products formulated with nature and science to help kids, teens, and tweens to develop good skin care habits at an early age and ensure their skin is healthy.

Despite the steady emergence of beauty brands and skincare solutions, many of the products seem to focus more on meeting the needs of adults. However, Cheryl, Skye, and their team at Skye Monroe Skincare are looking to change this narrative by bringing quality beauty solutions to kids without exposing them to harmful chemicals and ultimately helping young girls feel confident.

Saturday, March 4, 2023

Black Children’s Book Week Takes This Year’s Celebration to the Metaverse

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FOUNDER OF BLACK CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK TAKES THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION TO THE METAVERSE

The second celebration of Black Children’s Book Week starts on February 26th, and people around the world are gearing up to participate. Founded in 2022 by social entrepreneur and author Veronica N. Chapman, Black Children’s Book Week (BCBW) is a global celebration of Black children and the power of Black representation in children’s books. Chapman’s goal is to “raise the vibration in the world” for Black children. And now her reach includes an online world, as Chapman has created a Black Children’s Book Museum in the Metaverse to accompany the celebration.

The Black Children’s Book Museum is a shoppable virtual museum that Chapman first launched in 2022 to feature the sponsors of Black Children’s Book Week. Newly designed in the Metaverse, the exhibits are even more dynamic, using avatars to give visitors the feeling of walking through the museum. While inside, visitors can learn about and support the sponsors of this necessary celebration. Many of the sponsors are Black authors who are intentional about publishing books with Black characters.

Learn How This Mom of 4 Laine Bradley Secured Over $15M in Funding for Clients and Students

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32-YEAR-OLD LAINE BRADLEY, MOM OF 4, ACCOUNTANT, CEO SECURES OVER $15M IN FUNDING FOR CLIENTS AND STUDENTS

Laine Bradley, a 32-year-old Haitian-American woman from Raleigh, NC, has helped small businesses and nonprofit organizations secure over $15 million in grant funding. She is the founder and CEO of Vraiment Financial, a full financial firm focused on providing innovative client solutions.

In addition, she is the creator of the Grant Capital Society, a funding resource community for new and existing small businesses and organizations that provides information, resources, and training to become grant ready.

As a wife and mother of four, Bradley prides herself in educating small businesses and organizations to consistently establish the foundation they need to win grant funding.

In 2019, Bradley won her first business grant of $4,000 for her financial firm. She was able to invest the funds into growing her business with a business coach and paying a few months of operational expenses. From there, Bradley has won over $250,000 in grants for her company by applying consistently every month.

She became a certified federal grant writer in 2020 and began assisting other small businesses and organizations for free during the pandemic. By the end of 2020, Bradley was able to secure over $1.2 million.


Friday, March 3, 2023

Discover The Inspiring Reason 3 African Queens From The US Visit Former President John Agyekum Kufour in Ghana

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While Doing Charity Work In Ghana Last Month Nana Adasa The CEO Of  The Abofrem Area Foundation Inc., Visits The Home Of Former President Kufour

Photo above: in the front center former Ghana President John Agyekum Kufour, Queens on the side from left to right the 2022 AMBUSA Winner Laurie Fonhoue (left), center Founder and CEO of AMBUSA Queen Nana Akosua Nkrumah Adasa III, and 2nd runner-up Angel Kissiedu (right).

Nana Adasa represents the best tradition of African Royalty.  She is a woman on a mission, in the US - to help uplift women and children in Africa.

Our history teaches us African royalty, in stark contrast to royalty in other regions of the world, look to make their people more successful and raise their standard of living.

Nana Adasa, an African Queen from the Kumasi-Ashante region, of Ghana, in Africa, is the CEO and President of the of the Abofrem Area Foundation, Inc.  The Foundation has an impressive track record of creating education and infrastructure upgrades in Abofrem.

Adasa also has created a showcase for brilliant and beautiful young African women known as African Most Beautiful USA (AMBUSA), while also raising money for important causes in Ghana and other parts of Africa.  Recently, she visited the home of 
former Ghana President John Agyekum Kufour.

Nana Adasa, also was joined by the top two winners in the last AMBUSA showcase the 2022 ABUSA queens, Laurie Fonhoue (winner) and Angel Kissiedu ( 2nd runner-up).  The visit on the former Ghana President, who's been rumored may run again, has been characterized as a "courtesy call."  The three queens where in the area for charity operations.

I was able to convince the busy CEO and empowering visionary Nana Adasa to tell me about her vision and mission to help people in Ghana and other parts of Africa.  My exclusive interview follows below...

Exclusive Interview By Kamau Austin With Nana Adasa

Kamau: Can you tell us a little about your background and life growing up as a person of African Descent in the US?

Nana Adasa's Answer:  I am Nana Adasa, the Queen of the village of Abofrem having arrived in the USA, at the age of 28, after working on the family farm in the Kumasi-Ashante region of Ghana.

Kamau:  What inspired you to become the present CEO of African Most Beautiful USA (AMBUSA)?

Nana Adasa's Answer: It was my dream to help young African women living in the USA to become aware of their culture. To be a Queen of African Most Beautiful USA (AMBUSA) you need to know your culture and roots.

To give young women the opportunity to participate in a celebratory event which can provide a steppingstone from beauty pageant contestant into successful women that will give back to society and help raise donations for the Abofrem Area Foundation, Inc.

Kamau: Can you tell us more about the mission and goals of Abofrem Area Foundation, Inc. and the original founder of the organization?

Nana Adasa's Answer:  I am the founder and originator of the Abofrem Area Foundation, Inc. a 501 c (3) non-profit organization based in the USA to provide the means for the people of my home village in the Kumasi-Ashante region of Ghana and other African villages to be able to improve their lives. Since its inception, the Foundation has established a medical clinic, a school, and drilled new wells to obtain clean water. One of our goals for 2023 is to build shops for the market to sell produce, meals and products made in the villages.

Picture Above: The Abofrem Area Foundation's annual Christmas drive giving to the widows of the Village of Abofrem, receiving live chickens, oil, and rice.

Sunday, February 26, 2023

Checkout Our Women's History Month Spotlight On: Jody Watley "The Iconic Trendsetter Continues to Fuel Quality Music!"

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Breaking News! Women's History Month Spotlight: Jody Watley "The Iconic Trendsetter Continues to Fuel Quality Music!"

We're thrilled to celebrate Women's History Month, and we can't think of a better way to recognize this moment by highlighting a true trailblazer, Jody Watley!

We salute the trendsetting iconic singer as a brilliant songwriter, artist, entrepreneur, producer, and visionary.

And.... CONGRATS to Ms. Watley, as host of The Jody Watley Show - “Wattage Vibes Rooted in the Music," a monthly new 2-hour show premiering on Sirius XM's, The Groove.

The Jody Watley Show will kick off with Emmy-winning actress Sheryl Lee Ralph as the first guest, Sunday, March 12th, at 6 PM (EST) / 3 PM (EST) on The Groove, channel 50 and on the SiriusXM app on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as online.

Discover How Celebrated Actress Kasia Trepagnier Was Inducted Into A Prestigious African American Institution

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It's Official!
Celebrated Actress Kasia Trepagnier
Inducted in The Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum & Veterans Archives in
Hammond, Louisiana
Kasia Trepagnier at her unveiling exhibit ceremony (February 25, 2023)

Celebrated actress Kasia Trepagnier is now a staple in The Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum & Veterans Archives!

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, the historic museum, located at 1600 Phoenix Square in Hammond, Louisiana, unveiled a special "Kasia Trepagnier" Exhibit with a beautiful collage of photos, which included a wonderful plague and dress worn of the beloved Louisiana-born young actress, model and entrepreneur at the event.

The standing room only program included the community, and state and local officials.

Following the program, a special autograph signing by the young and talented actress took place at the museum.


Kasia gave a rousing speech thanking GOD, supporters, and her parents, Belinda and Andrew Trepagnier for their sacrifices, love and unwavering support. She also acknowledged the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum for allowing her to be part of the museum's history for visitors to enjoy forever.

"I am truly humbled and honored to be part of the history of the Tangipahoa African American Heritage Museum and Veterans Archives," says Trepagnier.


Saturday, February 25, 2023

See The Enchanting Grammy Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Melanie Charles at the Legendary NYC Blue Note Jazz Club

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Grammy Award Winning Jazz Vocalist PHENOM Melanie Charles Set to Perform at the Legendary NYC Blue Note Jazz Club

Grammy Award-winning jazz artist phenom, Melanie Charles is set to perform live at the legendary NYC Blue Note Jazz Club located at 131 W 3rd Street in New York on Monday, February 27 for 2 shows at 8 pm and 10:30 pm.  Click here to get your tickets today!
 
Melanie Charles is a Brooklyn-born singer, songwriter, bandleader, producer, actress and flautist of Haitian descent, with a creative fluidity spanning jazz, soul, experimental and roots music. Charles was raised by a Haitian mother in Brooklyn where the sound waves in their home were filled with artists like Johnny Hodges, Frank Sinatra, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker, John Coltrane and Nat King Cole.

As a teen, she attended the
famed LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts where she studied flute and vocals. Eventually, she landed at the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at The New School where she met artists like singer, songwriter and record producer Jesse Boykins III and alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin.

Charles’ genre-bending style has been embraced by a wide range of artists including Wynton Marsalis, SZA, Mach-Hommy, Gorillaz and The Roots.

Throughout her career she has remained committed to making music that pushes listeners to consider new possibilities, both socially and politically. “Make Jazz Trill Again,” a project that she launched in 2016, demonstrates her allegiance to everyday people, especially the youth and is focused on taking jazz from the museum to the streets.

Earlier this year, Charles’ Tiny Desk (Home) Concert debuted on NPR Music, who proclaimed, “Melanie Charles takes us on a journey that embodies the soul of jazz: exploration.”

Her improvisational style, inflection, and spontaneity talents displayed in the celebrated Y’all Don’t (Really) Care About Black Women album is nothing short than brilliant and a must add to your playlist - 'a sheer 'masterpiece.'

Grammy Award Winning Jazz Vocalist Melanie Charles Click Here For Tickets 

Friday, February 24, 2023

Listen To Billboard's Urban Inspirational Band SENSERE Dropping The Infectious Soulful New Single, 'L.O.V.E.'

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Spreading A Message of Unity Now Available on All Digital Streaming Platforms “A Must-Have in Your Playlist!”

Now Available on All Digital Streaming Platforms
“A Must-Have in Your Playlist!”
Listen Below...

February 24, 2023 - Billboard chart-topping band, SENSERE returns with the infectious and soulful new single, 'L.O.V.E.,' spreading hope and unity to the world.

The timely track’s message of love and togetherness is already creating a global buzz and bringing together audiences globally.

With its catchy chorus, powerful lyrics and ‘feel-good’ rhythms, SENSERE reaffirms to us that we are in this all together and the answer is L.O.V.E. 

It’s quotable lyrics, What the world needs forever is love.. L.O.V.E - God is Love, Hug someone and tell them it’s all Love…..,” combined with smooth vocals, horn-heavy soul, and its signature funky beat on the track is already on its way to being a ‘classic’ soulful masterpiece.


Wednesday, February 22, 2023

HBCU Student Receives $25K From Pharrell Williams For Gun Safety Technology

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19-YEAR-OLD HBCU STUDENT RECEIVES $25K FROM PHARRELL WILLIAMS FOR GUN SAFETY TECHNOLOGY

Kayla Austin, a 19-year-old sophomore at Howard University, pitched and won $25,000 at Pharrell Williams’ Mighty Dream Forum and Black Ambition in Norfolk, Virginia, last year. Her patent-pending technology called “My Gun’s Been Moved” provides gun owners with a 24/7 monitor and notification if their gun has been moved.

The idea was one of many to win at last year’s Mighty Dream Forum which took place in November.

The idea came about at 12 years old after participating in a youth program, hearing a family member’s story, and watching the news on gun violence in Chicago. She had many sleepless nights thinking about how she could use technology to provide better gun safety for parents to protect their children.

Austin has facilitated and participated in many events supporting gun safety education, laws, and practices. Her intense community activism has granted her recognition from the State of Illinois and Congress.

As a result, she was excited to share her invention with the Mighty Dream Forum three months ago. This network provides access and opportunity to Black and Latinx entrepreneurs, “I’m still trying to process it all,” said Austin, a film and digital media major in her sophomore year at Howard University. “To receive support from my favorite artist is a dream come true.”

Monday, February 20, 2023

Malik Yoba Partners with Black-Owned Digital Platform

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MALIK YOBA PARTNERS WITH BLACK-OWNED DIGITAL PLATFORM DESIGNED TO SECURELY STORE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS FOR WEALTH TRANSFER

Award-winning actor, philanthropist and founder of Yoba Development, Dr. Malik Yoba, has partnered with Martha Underwood, the founder and CEO of a Black-owned technology company called Prismm to promote preparedness and peace of mind when you need it the most.

Based in Birmingham, Alabama, Prismm, is a digital platform that allows individuals to securely store and organize important documents, communicate end-of-life wishes, and plan for the transfer of wealth and assets.

“Being a caregiver for my mother as she was succumbing to the horror that is dementia, it was a serious challenge for my siblings and I to find, manage and organize the important documents in her life on top of all the other stressors that come with being a caregiver. Not having access to all of her information was an important aspect of life planning that is often overlooked or put off until it’s too late.

Black Author Fighting Poverty Donates 1,000’s of Books to Kids in Jamaica and Ghana

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BLACK AUTHOR FIGHTING POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS DONATES 1,000’S OF BOOKS TO JAMAICA AND GHANA TO TEACH LIFE SKILLS TO KIDS

Renaee Smith, an award-winning educator and children’s book author who lives in Union County, New Jersey. Via her own non-profit, Independent Authors Book Experience, she has donated thousands of books to children locally, nationally, and internationally including in countries like Jamaica and Ghana. Her newest book, Freddie Learns the Value of Money, takes young readers on a financial literacy journey with the main character, Freddie, as he learns how to budget and save money to purchase a new bicycle.

Freddie Learns the Value of Money is a short story written for children ages 6 to 12 is part of a five-book series, helping children develop an understanding of hard work, family values, giving back to the community, and helping the environment.

Helping Black Girls in Chicago Fight “Period Poverty”

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NONPROFIT FOUNDER OPENS NEW CENTER TO HELP BLACK GIRLS IN CHICAGO FIGHT “PERIOD POVERTY”

Chez Smith, is the founder of the Gyrls in the H.O.O.D. (Healthy Optimistic Outstanding Determined) Foundation, which addresses “period poverty” which is the lack of feminine hygiene products that affects millions of females worldwide. Recently, she opened a Reproductive Health Services Center in Chicago, Illinois to support “gyrls” on their journey to becoming empowered women capable of making informed choices.

The center will serve Black and brown girls in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood in the city’s South Side with support from Chicago Beyond, which invests in organizations, community leaders, and equitable research opportunities that are positioned to change the lives of young people in Chicago. The center will provide menstrual hygiene management, reproductive and sexual health education, and social services through the organization’s existing programs. It will also be used to deliver job training workshops, college prep events, teen parent support, and more to the community.

According to the University of Pennsylvania, every month, one in five girls on their periods will miss school due to a lack of feminine hygiene products. According to the World Bank, “period poverty” affects more than 500 million females around the world.

For adolescent girls living in poverty, lacking basic feminine hygiene supplies can have a significant impact on their education, health, and dignity.

Attend The Iconic Harlem Fine Arts Show Celebrating Its 15-Year Anniversary

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HARLEM FINE ARTS SHOW CELEBRATES 15-YEAR ANNIVERSARY WITH 3 DAYS OF 100 FEATURED BLACK ARTISTS

The title sponsor of this year’s event is none other than Lexus of Manhattan, which is committed to culture, community, and commerce in New York City

New York, NY — This year’s Harlem Fine Arts Show (HFAS) welcomes Lexus of Manhattan as the Presenting Sponsor for the 15th year anniversary of the largest traveling art show featuring artists from the African diaspora. The show will feature up to 100 artists of African, Caribbean, and Black descent over a monumental three-day cultural experience.

Lexus of Manhattan presents the Harlem Fine Arts Show which will take place in Midtown Manhattan at The Glasshouse, 660 12th Avenue (between 49th & 50th), New York City. The 2023 Show is co-sponsored by Cadillac of Manhattan and Toyota of Manhattan.

The 15th Anniversary Celebration: Celebrating Art and Culture in America is inspired by the Harlem Renaissance. HFAS provides a platform for African diasporic artists and American visual artists to exhibit and sell their works.

“HFAS prides itself on a sole tenet: creating economic empowerment, educational opportunities, and professional recognition for the artists in our shows. These artists have been forced to make hard pivots in how they showcase and sell their work in the new normal of a post-pandemic economy,” says Dion Clarke, Founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show.

He continues, “However, the poignancy of their individual works is more important now than ever. This work, created by the African diaspora, will tell the story of this unprecedented moment in history: the choices we made in this moment of historical change, and most importantly: how we felt.”

Other sponsors include Blavity.org, Eleven86 Real Artesian Water, JetBlue, Revanche, Upscale Magazine, and Walker’s Cube. Watch the Harlem Fine Arts Show Trailer Below...


Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Revised, “Get Rich While Black… Without Being an Athlete, Entertainer or Drug Dealer”

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INC. 500 CEO RELEASES REVISED VERSION OF HIS BOOK...

“GET RICH WHILE BLACK
WITHOUT BEING AN ATHLETE, ENTERTAINER, OR DRUG DEALER”

CHUCK STARKS, INC. 500 CEO AND MUTIPLE IBM TOP GUN AWARD
WINNER, RELEASES A REVISED VERSION OF HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
BOOK – “GET RICH WHILE BLACK… WITHOUT BEING AN ATHLETE,
ENTERTAINER OR DRUG DEALER”

NOW BLACK AMERICANS CAN CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH

Chuck Starks’ revised version of Get Rich While Black… Without Being an Athlete, Entertainer, or Drug Dealer gives Black Americans the real reason they are poor in America (net worth almost 90% less than whites) and how to overcome racism and become financially successful. Starks says that there is no other book that directly confronts institutionalized racism in virtually all areas of Black life in America.

This prosperity provoking publication outlines ways for Black Americans to become financially successful and maybe millionaires without the almost impossible task of being a professional athlete or entertainer.

Starks comments, “Unfortunately, some Black people feel that they can only become rich by selling drugs or committing other crimes, and we know how that story ends; prison, premature death, or both.”

Get Rich While Black… (REVISED) gives Black Americans a proven plan to get and maintain generational wealth, without literally killing themselves working 2 or more jobs or attempting the almost impossible task of becoming a professional athlete or entertainer.