October 2021

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By Roz Edwards Atlanta news anchor Jovita Moore succumbed to an aggressive from of brain cancer on Thursday, Oct. 28 that took the life of the popular new personality. Moore, 53, a highly respected journalist and longtime mainstay of Atlanta’s WSB-TV, seven months after being diagnosed with an incurable and aggressive form of brain cancer. Moore, “passed peacefully” as “as she wanted,” in her home surrounded by loved ones, with her family by her side, her co-anchor at WSB-TV, Justin Farmer shared on Friday morning. She is survived by

NORFOLK, VA - After a comprehensive and competitive national search by Parker Executive Search Firm, the MEAC Council of Presidents and Chancellors announced Sonja Stills as the next MEAC Commissioner effective January 1, 2022. With Stills’ selection, she becomes the first female commissioner in MEAC and HBCU Division I history. “On behalf of MEAC institutions’ presidents and chancellors, I am thrilled to welcome Ms. Stills as our next commissioner,” said Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D., chancellor of North Carolina Central University and chair of the MEAC Presidents and Chancellors Council.

In a post George Floyd America, many companies were quick to publish press releases, make sizable donations, and announce a renewed commitment to racial equity. Some executives like Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian even went as far as resigning to make room for Black people on Reddit’s board. Research published by Spencer Stuart Board Index shows corporate America is starting to make good on their diversity promise by hiring a record number of Black directors. The U.S. Board Index Report showed last year, one-third (33 percent) of all new

By Ryan Shepard, Black Information Network The National Basketball Association has just kicked off its 2021-2022 regular season campaign. However, the league is already looking ahead to February. In an effort to strengthen its relationship with historically Black colleges and universities across the country, the NBA has announced its first-ever "HBCU Classic." Set to take place on February 19 at Cleveland State University during 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend, the inaugural "HBCU Classic" will feature Howard University and Morgan State University. The game will serve as a bridge between the 2022

By Megan Kirk Diversity, equity, and inclusion have recently become the center of several corporate conversations in light of an uptick in racial justice issues. George Floyd being one of the pivotal cases causing change, many businesses have pledged to increase their diversity initiatives to be more inclusive and representative of the communities they serve. Stellantis is making strides to positively impact minority communities and create a diverse talent pipeline in the process. Named Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Engagement for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of North America in May

CVS Health announced that Joneigh Khaldun, M.D., MPH, FACEP has joined the company as Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer. She will report to Kyu Rhee, M.D., MPP, Senior Vice President and Aetna Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Khaldun will lead the strategy to advance health equity for patients, members, providers, customers, and communities served across all lines of the CVS Health business. She and her team will focus on culturally competent care delivery, ensuring it is fully integrated into the design and development of clinical and population

SEATTLE - Alaska Air Group, Inc. announced the appointment of Adrienne Lofton to the company's board of directors. Lofton, a marketing and retail omnichannel veteran who has extensive experience transforming some of the nation's best-known consumer brands, will also serve on the boards of the company's airline subsidiaries Alaska Airlines, Inc. and Horizon Air Industries, Inc. Lofton is the vice president of global brand marketing at Google, where she oversees the integrated consumer experience for Google's platforms & ecosystems portfolio (inclusive of Android, Chrome, Google Play and Education).

President Joe Biden has appointed Dr. Tony Allen as the Chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Board will advance the goal of the HBCU Initiative, established by the Carter Administration, to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest-quality education to students and continue serving as engines of opportunity. The Biden-Harris Administration said it remains committed to supporting the vital mission of HBCUs. Through the American Rescue Plan and by forgiving capital improvement debt of many these institutions, the Biden-Harris Administration has

By Sherri Kolade Dr. D’Wayne Edwards is broadening his academic footprint locally with the first-ever reopening of an HBCU located in Detroit. Edwards, founder of PENSOLE Design Academy in Portland, Oregon (also the controlling stockholder of the previously shuttered HBCU, Lewis College of Business in Detroit) spoke on Tuesday, October 12 at a press conference on the college grounds announcing plans to reopen the college as PENSOLE Lewis College of Business and Design (PLC). During the press conference, people gathered to hear the plans of Edward’s vision that he is

Jay-Z is expanding his involvement with the cannabis industry. The hip hop mogul, who launched his very own cannabis line last year, has invested in the cannabis retail software company, Flowhub. Hov joined venture firms Headline and Poseidon in donating $19 million to the Denver based tech company, which helps dispensaries by providing compliance, point of sale, inventory tracking and business intelligence solutions. The company, which is valued at $200 million, plans to use the extra money to accelerate expansion into emerging markets, while further developing its products and