Get The Scoop On The War on African American Entrepreneurs By Gary L. Smith

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The War On
African American Entrepreneurs

By Gary Smith

We've witnessed the War on Poverty and endured the War on Drugs, but the ongoing War on Black Entrepreneurship is a different battle altogether. The assault on black entrepreneurs, traces back to the late 1800s when black landowners, primarily farmers, were either cheated out of their land or forcibly expelled.

The Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, a thriving hub of Black-owned businesses known as Black Wall Street, exemplified the prosperity of black entrepreneurs with over 35 city blocks of shops, hotels, and theaters in the early 20th century.

Similar vibrant black economies existed in various cities across the nation, like Black Bottom in Detroit, only to face destruction, such as the demolition, for a freeway. Despite the passage of time, the struggle persists into 2024, with systemic barriers disproportionately affecting Black entrepreneurs.

The aftermath of the Great Recession saw the top 20% wealthiest Americans gaining wealth, while 80% of black families fell behind, illustrating the deep-seated inequities.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, people of color, women, and rural Americans encountered barriers hindering entrepreneurship. Disparities in wealth, limited access to funding, and systemic biases in loan approval processes persist, intensifying the challenges faced by Black and Latino entrepreneurs.

The pandemic further exacerbated these inequities, revealing the racial, gender, and geographic disparities in access to government relief and the subsequent closure of businesses owned by entrepreneurs of color.

Get The Scoop On Royal Descendant Venita Benitez And The Liberating Unity Of National Freedom Day

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Activist Venita Benitez
Emerges From Her Royal Heritage To
Unify By Fighting For Freedom

Venita Benitez is a force to be reckoned with. Case in point. When geological research seemed to indicate she was a direct descendant of not only Kings Henry the II, John, and Henry III but Alexander the Great and William the Conqueror, Venita made it her personal mission to dig deeper into the research of her cousin, Dr. James Hamilton, and her proven lineage.

But she didn’t stop there. With her trademark tenacity, she wrote to the powers that be in England and didn’t yield until she’d received a family crest in acknowledgement of her family’s royal lineage.

“In 2006, the Wingfield family invited me to witness the signing of the King James charter to America in recognition of my family raising a majority of the financial backing for the ships that eventually discovered America, ships named The God Speed, Susan Constant, and Discovery,” she said. Venita was invited to return to England in 2006 for a resigning of the charter on its 400th anniversary. (Only 150 invitations were issued and only to descendants of those who’d signed the original charter from all over the world.)

Venita Benitez

MULTICULTURAL HERITAGE

Venita credits her unique and varied bloodline with giving her the courage to fight the good fight — wherever she finds it. “I grew up knowing these formidable men were my ancestors. But I was also raised by a Puerto Rican father and a mother who is black, white, and Native American. And I’m a descendant of Morton Deane, who was born into slavery and later served as one of the first out of five black nationally elected city councilmen, during the reconstruction era in Richmond, Virginia, and Edward Maria Wingfield, the first elected president of the Council of Virginia - Jamestown, on April 25th, 1607. This multicultural heritage helps me look at people with clear eyes and see the love in everyone.”

In homage to her family ’s tradition of military service, Venita joined the US Army in 1981. “I was r a i s e d to understand the importance of liberty and duty,” she said. Although she describes basic training as grueling, she learned a lot from serving in one of the first-ever co-ed battalions, Bravo 1-3, marching side-by-side with men. 

“We were labeled ‘guinea pigs’ according to official congressional documents. The idea of co-ed troops was something new, and they just sort of threw us to the wolves.” That challenging time further developed her fortitude.

AFFECTING CHANGE

Venita went on to affect change not only in her 23-year career in diversity and inclusion (DEI) — including seats on Arlington Mayor ’s Black Advisory Council and more recently the Frisco Inclusion Committee by Frisco Mayor Jeff Cheney. But she also worked to draw attention to National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month each January—proclamations she feels are issued by each succeeding United States presidents and then pretty much forgotten — and refocusing the nation’s attention on the very real problem of modern-day slavery/human trafficking through her website NationalFreedomDay.com.

She was even mentored weekly by Dr. Reverend Ronald Myers, the founder of the National Juneteenth movement, long before his passing. The desk in her home office is piled high with resolutions and proclamations she has affected and with correspondence from some of the most powerful men and women in Texas, the country, and the world. These documents acknowledge Venita’s unrelenting pursuit not only for recognition of those who suffered in the past but those who still suffer today.

Get The Scoop On Billboard Chart-Topper Tanya Nolan's UPcoming Music and Authentic Lifestyle Insights

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Billboard Chart-Topper Artist Tanya Nolan Talks Beauty Skin Regimen, New Music, and Being Authentically YOU

In the ever-evolving world of music and beauty, R&B sensation Tanya Nolan is making waves not just with her soulful melodies but also with her commitment to authenticity and self-expression.

In an exclusive interview, Tanya opens up about her beauty skin regimen, the excitement surrounding her new music, and the empowering journey of embracing one's true self.

Beauty from Within: Tanya's Skincare Secrets

Known for her radiant presence both on and off the stage, Tanya Nolan shares insights into her beauty routine that goes beyond the surface.

"Beauty, for me, starts from within," she states. "It's about self-care, hydration, and a healthy lifestyle."

Tanya emphasizes the importance of staying hydrated and incorporating natural ingredients into her skincare routine. "I'm a big believer in the power of natural products.

Cleanse, moisturize, and protect – that's the key," she adds. Tanya's commitment to inner and outer well-being reflects not only in her music but also in the glow that she exudes.

New Music on the Horizon

As anticipation builds for Tanya's upcoming release, "Honey," fans are eager to delve into the soulful journey that she promises to unveil.

Tanya gives us a glimpse into the creative process behind the music, stating, "Every song I release is a piece of my soul. 'Honey' is no exception – it's a fusion of passion and soul that I believe will leave a lasting impression."

Tanya's authenticity shines through in her music, creating a connection with listeners that goes beyond the beats and lyrics. With a release date set for February 16th, "Honey" is poised to be a powerful addition to Tanya's chart-topping discography.

Checkout Tanya Nolan's Popular
Music Video: Pace Yourself