California
Last week, Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee, welcomed Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller at a reception on Capitol Hill hosted in conjunction with Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Chair Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.). Clarke, who is of Jamaican descent, delivered remarks at the reception, which was attended by David Lipton of the International Monetary Fund (IMF); Francisco Palmieri, U.S. deputy assistant secretary for the Caribbean and Central America in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. During the reception, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller thanked Rep. Waters and members of the CBC Task Force, including Reps. Charles Rangel, Sheila Jackson Lee, Yvette Clarke and Gregory Meeks for their vocal advocacy in support of Jamaica, during the country’s negotiations with the International Monetary Fund. These negotiations culminated in the IMF’s approval of a $923.3 million loan arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Jamaica. “Had it not been for you, we would not be where we are today. We will never forget the Black Caucus and your contribution to the Jamaican economy,” said Prime Minister Simpson Miller.
A jury has awarded $5 million to R & B icon Sly Stone in a breach of contract lawsuit that claimed that Stone’s business associates cheated him out of royalties. The action was brought against ex-manager Gerald Goldstein, Glenn Stone and Even St. Productions. “It’s a good day for Sly, it’s a good day for entertainers in general,” said Nicholas Hornberger, one of Stone’s attorneys. “This was an important verdict for people (who) are artists, entertainers, music composers, etc.” It was a complicated case, with attorneys for Stone claiming that he was cheated out of royalties through “shady accounting.” The lawyers for Goldstein and Glenn Stone said that they could challenge the ruling.
Usher surprised visitors to Venice Beach last week. He initially appeared as a man in gold covering even his face and dancing and impressing a gathering crowd with his moves. When he removed the disguise, the crowd responded with an approving roar. Usher was practicing for a shoot for a MasterCard commercial. He’s also in L.A. for the Grammy’s this week; and is nominated for two awards.
Colorado
With an official launch in January 2015, the STOP-ATTACK (www.stop-attack.com) app is leveraging smartphone technology to make the world a safer place for everyone. Whether it’s bullying, street harassment or something even more sinister, the app will record audio and video evidence and alert contacts of trouble in a matter of seconds. The developers of STOP-ATTACK have created a pair of explainer videos to showcase exactly how the app works in typical usage scenarios: “Always Be Prepared” and “Bullying.”
”We need to stop the senseless violence and assaults in this world,” said African American Anthony “Tony” Bright, creator of STOP-ATTACK from his Colorado Springs-based company Braxington Technologies. “Our hope is that STOP-ATTACK.com will be a powerful tool in this struggle. The app has been developed so that even younger children can be protected.” The app can be downloaded in the Google Play or iTunes store, and is available for free until Feb. 8. STOP-ATTACK users will be able to customize many aspects of the app, such as creating a “panic list” of people for the app to contact in an emergency, from friends and family to local first responders. When a user activates STOP-ATTACK, the app instantly begins recording live audio and video and uploading the stream to the cloud. Panic list contacts and designated first responders are notified immediately or after a brief, user-determined delay. The app will send the contacts a link with the GPS location and the recording of the incident. A hot key allows for quick and discrete activation of the STOP-ATTACK app. On the other hand, users can choose for the app to play an alarm and turn on the camera light when activated, a strong deterrent to a would-be attacker. STOP-ATTACK is available for both Android and Apple devices. To learn more about this safety technology, contact info@stop-attack.com.
Florida
Marissa Alexander, the Black woman jailed for firing a warning shot in the direction of her abusive ex-husband, was released from jail last week on house arrest, after undergoing another trial and taking a plea deal. The Jacksonville woman was initially sentenced to 20 years in 2012. Alexander, 34, took a plea deal, although her conviction was overturned because it was determined that the judge in her first trial gave faulty jury instructions. She was facing new charges that could have resulted in as much as a 60-year sentence, so she accepted the deal that gave her time served for the almost three years she spent behind bars. “My hope is for the people who were involved in this case to be able to move on with their lives,” she said. Alexander agreed to plead guilty to three counts of aggravated assault for firing a shot in the direction of her husband, Rico Gray, during a 2010 argument while two of his children were in the house. She also agreed to serve two years of house arrest, wearing an ankle monitor. She will be allowed to work, attend classes and take her children to school and medical appointments.
Illinois
McDonald’s CEO, African American Don Thompson, will step down in March, as the fast food giant’s sales continue a downslide. The move comes after McDonald’s reported the fifth quarter in a row of declining sales. According to Fortune magazine, Thompson acknowledged that “turning the company around would take time,” adding that he expected shaky results into this year. Thompson became CEO in 2012. It didn’t help that Consumer Reports released a study in July 2014 that said McDonald’s hamburgers were the worst in the U.S.
The 2015 Joyce Awards have been announced, with artists and organizations in Detroit, Minneapolis and Chicago receiving $50,000 apiece. Four collaborations between artists of color and leading arts and cultural organizations in the Great Lakes region have received these awards to present new works designed to engage, communicate and build communities. The Joyce Awards, the only program supporting artists of color in major Great Lakes cities, aims to strengthen cross-cultural understanding by bringing diverse audiences together. The Chicago-based foundation has awarded more than $2.4 million to commission 46 new works since the program started in 2003. “Every year, we have the honor of identifying and rewarding artists and organizations that are redefining and celebrating our diverse communities through these amazing collaborations,” said Joyce Foundation President Ellen S. Alberding. The 2015 winners comprise the following partnerships:
Sanford Biggers and the Museum of Contemporary Art of Detroit, which will partner to create a multi-disciplinary work titled, “Subjective Cosmology.”
Nari Ward and Detroit’s Power House Productions will create a dramatic sculpture for a vacant lot recently converted into Ride It Sculpture Park. Ward’s work examines issues of race, poverty and consumer culture.
Helado Negro and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series will stage an immersive electronica music experience, “Island Universe Story,” at the new Ordway Concert Hall in St. Paul/Minneapolis on March 21.
Sandra Delgado and Chicago’s Teatro Vista will feature Colombian American actress and playwright Sandra Delgado using her Joyce Award to stage a new interactive theater experience based on the 1960s Chicago nightclub, “La Habana Madrid.” The production will bring La Habana back to life to tell the stories of the how this venue served as a gathering place for Puerto Rican, Cuban, Colombian and Dominican immigrants settled on the city’s north side. Learn more at joycefdn.org.
Iowa
Luther College is hosting its 12th annual Black History Symposium Feb. 11-12 in Decorah. The symposium, titled “Africans and African-Americans: It’s Complicated,” will feature a number of events focused on exploring the fascinating and often contentious relationship between various groups of African-descended people in the United States. The symposium begins with a special screening of the documentary “Bound,” directed by Kenyan-born Peres Owino. It explores the cultural tension between Africans and African Americans through testimonials on how the cultures view each other and an examination of their shared histories. Other activities include a session with Michel Martin of National Public Radio, titled “Taking the Studio to the Story;” a Black History Symposium Chapel to honor Walter Rodney, a Pan-Africanist historian dedicated to engaging Africans across the globe in the struggle for freedom, justice and respect; and a gallery talk with award-winning African artist and photographer Dayo Laoye. Those interested in attending the symposium can register at: https://www.luther.edu/diversity/symposium/registration.
Maryland
Beginning Feb. 7, small business owners/entrepreneurs throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia areas will have the opportunity to pitch their business services, products, concepts and ideas for the chance to win $10,000. “Final Pitch, The Competition,” created by Inez Kelley of Kelley Media Marketing Inc., is described as a combination of the reality shows “Shark Tank” and Donald Trump’s production “The Apprentice.” The Final Pitch judging panel is made up of four highly-respected members of the business community: Ethel Mitchell, attorney and talk show host; Charlie Scott, CEO of the Financial Crisis Prevention Center; Cynthia Harrison, Operation Hope’s small business development director; and Winslow Sargent, Ph.D., former chief counsel of advocacy for the Small Business Administration. Each contestant will be judged on an individual scoring scale. The competition consists of two rounds: a qualifier round, where each contestant has three minutes to pitch to the board; and the final pitch, which allows each contestant five minutes of pitch time. The selected winner will not only win $10,000 in prize money, but will also receive more than $1,000 in business support services. Visit www.finalpitchdmv.com for more info.
The National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the AARP Foundation to promote the Tax-Aide program to multicultural low- and moderate-income citizens and seniors. The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program has provided free income tax assistance since 1968. In 2014, the program provided 2.6 million people with free tax help, and those who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide cumulatively received $1.3 billion in income tax refunds and more than $257 million in Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs). “I believe this partnership with the AARP Foundation affirms the importance of strategic alliances to broaden the impact of programs and services and demonstrates a mutual commitment to provide financial education and tax preparation assistance in underserved communities,” said Kenneth Cooke, chairman of the NABA. There are 19 million low- to moderate-income taxpayers who qualify for free tax preparation services. NABA will use its chapter network and relationships with community-based organizations to reach more taxpayers who are eligible for free tax preparation assistance. NABA will also recruit volunteers to be trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to deliver tax preparation services. For more than 20 years NABA has successfully mobilized volunteers for various community service programs, including the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
Missouri
A Missouri woman is putting her life in jeopardy by drinking air freshener. Evelyn, who is African American, appeared on the show “My Strange Addiction” to reveal her dangerous habit of spraying air freshener into her mouth on a regular basis. “I love it,” she says. “I love it absolutely.” The 27-year-old says she has been spraying air freshener into her mouth for the last three years, sometimes as much as 50 times a day. She uses about 29 cans a week, although she told the TV show’s producers that she is trying to kick the unhealthy habit.
New Jersey
For the fifth straight year, the At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy will be held on the campus of Princeton University July 26-Aug. 7. The academy is one of the only summer institutes for minority teen girls to be held on an Ivy League campus. The At the Well Academy is geared toward building leadership skills for minority girls entering the 11th or 12th grades. In 2014, more than 70 scholars attended the competitive program, which offers dynamic speakers, standardized test-taking strategies, critical reading courses, college essay writing classes, tutoring, group activities and field trips. It also provides on-campus housing at Princeton University that allows the students to experience college life in an Ivy League setting. The curriculum has been developed to encourage critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with increasing leadership capabilities. Facilitators include business leaders, entrepreneurs and Princeton University staff that teach select classes. Admission is competitive and teens must possess a 3.0 G.P.A and submit an essay as well as academic recommendations. Scholarships are available, and need-based financial aid is available on a first-come basis. The deadline to submit an application is March 31. For more information, go to www.atthewellconferences.org.
New York
The annual Rush HeARTS Education Valentine’s Luncheon will be held Feb. 13, at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The annual event is a fundraiser for Russell Simmons’ educational programs, including Rush Galleries in the Schools, Rush Little Kids, Rush Teens and Rush Movers, all designed to help kids realize their potential. This year’s event will honor Daymond John, CEO of FUBU and co-star of “Shark Tank;” fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, journalist/art aficionado Bill Powers; pitcher CC Sabathia and his wife Amber Sabathia and illustrator/Artist Shantell Martin for their philanthropic achievements. The event is in its 20th year. For more info, go to www.rushphilanthropic.org.
An African American New York City man who made his political name over the claim that “the rent is too damn high” may soon not have a place to live. Jimmy McMillan, who ran for governor in 2010, said last week that he’s facing an eviction notice that says he has to leave his rent-stabilized Manhattan apartment on St. Mark’s Place by Feb. 5. McMillan filed papers in federal court in Brooklyn last week seeking a stay of the eviction notice. His attorney has filed with a state appeals court as well, seeking a stay of the eviction order, which stems from a dispute in housing court. McMillan’s attorney, John DeMaio, said Lisco Holdings had brought a case against McMillan a couple of years ago. In the course of dealing with that issue, DeMaio said McMillan’s rent became overdue. He said a judge recently refused to allow McMillan to pay a sum that would have covered most of the amount due and then make up the rest and instead issued the eviction order. He is appealing that refusal.
South Carolina
The “Friendship Nine,” who were jailed in the 1960s at a Civil Rights sit-in in Rock Hill, had their records cleared by a judge last week. More than 50 years after the nine Black men served a month of hard labor for sitting at a Whites-only lunch counter, Judge John C. Hayes vacated the sentences and declared that they had been wrongfully convicted. Seven of the men were in attendance at court; one had passed and one was unable to make the hearing. Clarence Graham, one of the men, said he never felt guilty. But, “In my heart, I was leaping. We cannot rewrite history, but we can right history.” The eight college students and one civil rights organizer were convicted in 1961 of trespassing and breach of peace for protesting at a McCrory variety store.. They had a choice of spending 30 days in jail or paying a $100 fine. All opted for jail.
Virginia
When NASA sent Leland Melvin to have his official photo taken, the organization didn’t expect the seasoned astronaut to bring his dogs along … and include them in the photo. But that’s just what he did, and the photos have gone viral. Although the photos are cropping up in the news media, NASA chose to crop the dogs, Scout and Jake, out of the photo. Melvin’s heart shows through, as the two pups were strays that he took in. He’s been with NASA since 1989 and was actually drafted to play in the NFL but pulled out due to injury. He’s been to the International Space Station twice in his 25-year career. Maybe Jack and Scout will go with him next time.
National
The U.S. Black Chambers Inc. Community Economic Development Corp. (USBC-CEDC) has been chosen by the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) as a Capital Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center. USBC, along with the Native American Development Center, was chosen in an effort to further the mission of USDOT’s Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) to increase its impact on the small business community. Focusing on advocacy, access to capital, contracting and entrepreneur training, USBC-CEDC was chosen based on an its background of assisting minority business owners and developing strong stakeholder relationships. As a Small Business Transportation Resource Center, USBC-CEDC will develop and manage two annual Bonding Education Programs, support eligible businesses through USDOT’s Short-Term Lending Program, and facilitate a Women in Transportation Initiative, dedicated to placing college students in transportation internships during the summer. These programs will provide small minority women-owned businesses bond readiness training, access to capital lending options up to $750,000 for transportation specific projects, and hands-on experience within the transportation industry. “The USBC-CEDC will now have the ability to help more minority- and women-owned businesses including current members, gain more access to capital and secure contracts with USDOT,” said Ron Busby Sr., president and CEO, of the U.S. Black Chambers Inc. For more information on the program, visit www.dot.gov/osdbu.
Jack and Jill of America Inc., a national organization of mothers focused on helping African American youth reach their full potential, is taking its “Bedtime Stories” program to the next level with a call to action prompted by the children’s book “No Cell Phone Day,” written by Jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis and illustrated by Reginald William Butler. To kick off 2015, the organization will present two webinars featuring the author reading the book to children across the nation. According to a Highlights magazine survey of 1,500 children, the use of cell phones is the No. 1 source of parental distraction. Sixty-two percent of those surveyed believe parents are too distracted to listen to their kids. “We are excited to introduce children to this award-winning book through our national Bedtime Stories webinar series,” said Jack and Jill of America National President Tammy King. “Not only is this a great story to support early childhood literacy, but it’s a wonderful call to action for parents to spend time with their children reading and experiencing life.” For info, visit http://jackandjillinc.org.
Compiled by Carol Ozemhoya.
