Black Women Leaders In Maternal Morbidity Discuss Reversing the Crisis
As we celebrate Mother's Day, a day dedicated to honoring the love, sacrifice, and resilience of mothers everywhere, it's imperative that we acknowledge the crisis of increasing preventable deaths among Black mothers. Despite advances in modern medicine, Black women continue to experience alarming rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, highlighting deep-seated disparities in healthcare access and outcomes. The statistics are staggering. The tragic reality is that Black women in Michigan are dying at more than 2.2 times the rate of White women due to pregnancy-related causes and Black
Garnesha Ezediaro Shares How Bloomberg Philanthropies Is Bridging The Racial Wealth Gap With Greenwood Initiative
Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Greenwood Initiative is a pioneering philanthropic endeavor aimed at accelerating wealth accumulation for Black individuals and families while addressing systemic underinvestment in Black communities. This groundbreaking initiative represents Bloomberg Philanthropies’ first portfolio dedicated solely to advancing racial wealth equity, marking a significant step in combating the generational impacts of systemic racism. For decades, systemic racism has served as a barrier preventing Black Americans from realizing their full economic potential. Historical injustices, including housing, educational, and employment discrimination, have hindered Black individuals’ ability to build wealth over time, resulting in
Pinky Cole Hayes gives 2024 Savannah State commencement speech, gifts graduates $8.75M entrepreneurial starter pack
Pinky Cole Hayes, renowned entrepreneur, 2023 TIME100 Next honoree, and founder of Slutty Vegan and Bar Vegan, gave an inspiring commencement speech for the Savannah State University 2024 graduating class, and surprised the graduates with a very special gift. In collaboration with Operation HOPE and One Million Black Businesses (1MBB), Pinky Cole will give every graduate of Savannah State University a membership to 1MBB and the class will receive $8.75 million dollars worth of in-kind services with Operation HOPE, which will include: Entrepreneurial Educational Resources Mentoring From
Alicia Carlisle of Chicago’s Turner Drew Academy Wins Prestigious Golden Apple Award
Turner Drew Language Academy students celebrate teacher Alicia Carlisle’s Golden Apple Award (Credit: Tacuma Roeback). Grade school children at the Turner Drew Language Academy on the South Side held pom poms or signs that read “#TeachGolden” but barely held onto their excitement over what would transpire at the school gym. As soon as the door flipped open and first-grade teacher Alicia Carlisle stepped into the room, it all came to a glorious head. They and staff members erupted. They cheered, shrieked, clapped and/or jumped because Carlisle, one of their
Record Exec Mali Wilson Hits a High Note in Music and Business
Music industry powerhouse Mali Wilson who some call the "most well known unknown" in music is famous among A-list artists and recording executives for her remarkable dexterity in transitioning from singer to songwriter-producer to talent developer and back again. The Grammy-nominated entertainment veteran made her mark on the music scene first in her hometown of Chicago and later as an executive in Atlanta's bourgeoning musical landscape as a corporate executive. She is renowned for her work with such musical giants, including such greats as Whitney Houston, Chris
AAMA Names Montgomery, AL Mayor Steven L. Reed as President
The African American Mayors Association (AAMA) is excited to announce Montgomery, Alabama Mayor Steven L. Reed has been appointed as President to lead the national nonprofit organization. Mayor Reed was officially sworn in on Friday, April 26 at the conclusion of AAMA’s 10th anniversary conference in Atlanta, Georgia. “As we usher in a new decade of the African American Mayors Association, I am thrilled to welcome Mayor Steven L. Reed as President of our organization. Mayor Reed brings a wealth of experience and creative solutions to the table and we’re
Detroit Celebrates Jessica Care Moore as New Poet Laureate in the Spirit of Art and Soul
Detroit has named Jessica Care Moore its new Poet Laureate, recognizing her as a voice that embodies the city’s spirit and its resilient arts scene. This announcement, made by the Mayor alongside Detroit’s Office of Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE), highlights a significant step in recognizing local talent on a national scale. Moore, a lifelong Detroiter, steps into this role backed by her substantial contributions to poetry and community engagement. Known for her dynamic presence and poignant words, Moore has consistently used her platform to explore and
Freshman CBC Member Congresswoman Summer Lee Wins Big After Being Targeted by AIPAC
By Lauren Victoria Burke, NNPA Newswire Contributor Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA), who was formally targeted for defeat by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) won her primary challenge on April 23. Rep. Lee won easily over a primary candidate recruited by AIPAC, 61 percent to 31 percent. On the last weekend of the primary campaign, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez campaigned alongside Lee. Along with the NRA and Planned Parenthood, AIPAC is one of the most powerful and influential lobbying groups in U.S. politics. Back in September 2023, it was revealed
DeKalb County CEO Michael L. Thurmond to Deliver His Final State of the County Address
The Council for Quality Growth, in partnership with DeKalb County Government and the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, will host the 2024 State of DeKalb County Address on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 11:30 AM at the brand new Assembly Studios in Atlanta. This year’s lunch and program is presented by Amazon, Decide DeKalb Development Authority, and the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority and will feature remarks from CEO of DeKalb County, Michael L. Thurmond. More than 650 Council and Chamber members, elected officials, businesses, residents, county staff, and partners
Brenda Lawrence Strikes Out Against Hate with Spill the Honey
Former U.S. Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence didn’t stop to rest on her laurels and bask in her accomplishments after leaving office to continue championing human rights causes. The only Black elected official representing Michigan in the U.S. Congress at the time spent more than three decades in public service and continues to serve Americans around the nation. Since leaving public office Lawrence has partnered with the Spill the Honey organization, a national Black and Jewish Alliance dedicated to strengthening relationships through the arts and education to unite, rebuild and