Young Black Americans report medical debt impacting financial health
COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Young Black Americans report that medical debt is impacting their financial health and nearly one in five Black millennials (19%) report that paying for health care is their biggest retirement stressor, according to a recent Nationwide Retirement Institute® survey. Black millennials report carrying substantially more medical debt compared to other generations. Of those respondents who could estimate their medical debt, Black millennials self-reported they have on average $11,469 in medical debt. That's four times higher than Black Gen Xers ($2,818) and ten times more than Black baby boomers ($1,111). The outsized medical
Black Woman Makes Sports History With Boston Marathon Win
By Cherranda Smith Black Information Network Talk about HERstory! Peres Jepchirchir won the 50th Annual Women's Boston Marathon on Monday (April 18). Jepchirchir, a Kenyan professional long-distance runner, made history with her latest win, becoming the first athlete ever to win an Olympic gold medal, the NYC Marathon, and the Boston Marathon. In her running career, Jepchirchir, 28, has won gold during the 2020 Tokyo Games, and finished first in the NYC Marathon one year later in 2021. This year marked Jepchirchir's first time running the Boston Marathon, beating out Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh
Hampton University names alumnus and retired three-star general Darrell Williams as new president
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent U.S. Army retired Lt. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, a 1983 graduate of Hampton University, who earned the title of Mister Freshman, will serve as the institution’s next president. Williams was chosen from almost 300 applicants after the Board of Trustees created a presidential search committee in January 2021. After Dr. William Harvey, who served as president of the historically Black school since 1978, announced his retirement, Trustees began their extensive search for a replacement. “We embarked on a search for a proven
Black Americans Make 37% Less Income Than White Americans: Report
By Jovonne Ledet, Black Information Network In 2022, the gap between white and Black Americans is continuing to expand in all areas of life, according to this year’s Equality Index. The National Urban League released its annual report on the State of Black America on Tuesday (April 12) and the findings show widening disparities in wealth, education, health, civic engagement, and social justice. With little progress since its Equality Index launched in 2005, systemic racism continues to be at the root of the Black community's hardships in America. According to the report,
Renters of color pay higher security deposits, more application fees
Results from Zillow's Consumer Housing Trends Report show renters of color typically submit more applications — and pay more in application fees — before they secure a place to live than white renters do. Renters of color also typically pay a higher security deposit when they move in.i The U.S. rental market is as competitive as it's been in decades, with the national vacancy rate lower than at any time since 1984.ii Rent prices have skyrocketed, up a record 17% in just the past year, prompting some priced-out renters to look for a more
Bessie Coleman, First Black Woman Pilot, To Appear On 2023 Quarter
The US Mint announced the next five women to be featured on the nation's quarters on Tuesday (April 5), among them is one Black and Native American woman who took flight and changed history forever. Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman pilot, will be featured on US quarters in 2023 as part of the American Women Quarters Program. Alongside Coleman are journalist–activist Jovita Idár, former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, ballerina Maria Tallchief, and hula teacher Edith Kanaka'ole. Coleman blazed trails in the early 1900s, after she was rejected from American aviation schools on the
Financial Literacy Meets Technology
In the age of technology, users are used to gaining assistance at the click of a button. Apps are ever-evolving and provide the ability to access information in an instant. Merging money management with technology, developers are building apps to provide financial assistance without the hassle of in-person meetings. Access to financial assistance is a major stumbling block for African Americans. With implicit biases in banking and barriers created by systemic racism and discrimination, the ability to receive financial assistance and opportunities dwindles for Black consumers. However, African
Coach Dawn Staley Makes History With Second NCAA Championship Title
Photo Getty Images By Cherranda Smith, Black Information News University of South Carolina Women's Basketball Coach Dawn Staley not only led the Gamecocks to victory over the weekend, she made history in the process.Staley is now the first Black coach –– male or female –– to earn multiple NCAA Championship titles.The historic victory came Sunday (April 3) when the Gamecocks suited up to play No. 2 seed University of Connecticut, and ended up beating them 64-49. The win ended UConn's undefeated streak in the championship title games. "We played every possession like it
Lizzo Finally Reveals Her ‘Biggest’ Business Venture Yet
By Cherranda Smith, Black Information Network Earlier this month, Lizzo teased online that she would be releasing the "biggest thing yet," and that it would be "bigger than anything I've ever done." Well, the wait is over. In an interview with The New York Times, the singer revealed that is releasing a shapewear line and that it is sure to shake up the industry.Her shapewear line, Yitty –– her childhood nickname –– will launch this week under Kate Hudson's Fabletics "active life wear brand." The first drop will include 100 pieces divided into three different
Harvard Law Grad Launches Black Woman-Owned Film and Content Production Company
Raye Mitchell, a Harvard Law School grad turned entertainment lawyer, has partnered with Cindy Brown, an Olympic Gold Medalist, and former WNBA player, to launch Bossology 53 Entertainment, a Black-owned media company that will create film, TV projects, and publishing content. Ultimately, their goal is to advance social justice, racial, and LGBTQ equity and celebrate everyone’s right to the dignity of being the boss of their stories and the right to be heard when telling their truth. The newly formed company comprises Mitchell’s production projects under The Mouthology® podcast