Designer Brands Announces $2 Million Investment into First Black-Owned U.S. Footwear Factory, Partnering with Dr. D’Wayne Edwards, President of Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design
Designer Brands Inc, parent of shoe retailer DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse, announced today an investment of $2 million into advancing action-oriented Diversity, Equity & Inclusion through a partnership with Pensole and legendary footwear designer Dr. D'Wayne Edwards, President of Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design (PLC). Located in Detroit, PLC is the first and only Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Michigan and the first HBCU with a focus on design. PLC, formerly known as the Lewis College of Business, is expected to reopen in May 2022. In this new partnership, Designer Brands will invest in
Top Detroit Businessman and Philanthropist Donates $100,000 Gift to UNCF in Support of HBCUs
Washington, D.C., Feb 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A $100,000 gift will be presented on Feb. 17 to UNCF (United Negro College Fund) in support of three UNCF-member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) by William F. Pickard, Ph.D., founder and executive chairman of Global Automotive Alliance (GAA) Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management. The presentation will take place on the campus of UNCF-member Clark Atlanta University. Pickard’s gift includes donations to UNCF, Clark Atlanta University, Saint Augustine University and Philander Smith College. The donation is being made by Pickard
Black business leaders win big with explosive growth in SPACs
Jarvis Stewart admits he knew only a little about Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACS). While SPACS have been the rage on Wall Street in recent years, Stewart’s exposure to the financial markets was gained mainly through his longtime friends, which include Christopher Williams, Chairman of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., one of America’s largest minority-owned investment banks and Daniel Black, Managing Partner, The Wicks Group, a New York-based private equity firm. So, when he received a call just a year ago from an old client, a Canadian CEO
How One Detroit Attorney Turned Waste Management Solutions Into a Empire
Wendy Turner Miller is changing the landscape for professional Black women in a predominantly male arena. The feisty 5-foot-5-inch lady lawyer turned successful industrial waste management professional, is a pioneer in the field going where few women have ventured before. As a burgeoning player in the waste management industry, the CEO and president of Superior Innovative Solutions says the secret to her success is to “Believe in yourself and know that you are your own driving force. Push past the fear of the unknown and dream big.
Black Farmer Takes Action In Fight Over Stalled $4 Billion Relief Funding
Dr. John Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, at the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.Photo: Getty Images By Zuri Anderson A Black farmer is speaking out amidst the legal battle over $4 billion in federal aid meant to help minority farmers. Dr. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in Virginia and the president of the National Black Farmers Association, told The Hill he's been pressuring lawmakers and the Biden administration to help Black farmers in need. President Joe Biden signed off on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package almost a
Heisman Trophy Trust Expands Board of Trustees With Election of Dan Reed and Marva Smalls
The Heisman Trophy Trust today announced the election of Dan Reed, Vice President of Global Media at Meta, and Marva Smalls, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Inclusion and Executive Vice President, Public Affairs, Kids & Family Entertainment Brand, ViacomCBS to the board of trustees. Reed and Smalls join the Trust as the organization looks to further its charitable mission of utilizing sports and educational opportunities to enhance the lives of underserved youth in diverse communities across the country. The Heisman Trust fulfills its mission by providing funding
The Oldest Black-owned Business in the United States Expands to the Carolinas with New Offices in Charlotte and Raleigh
E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co., the oldest Black-owned business in the country, recently announced that it has expanded its operations to the Carolinas with new offices in Charlotte and Raleigh. In addition, as the country prepares to celebrate Black History Month, E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Company–recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the oldest continuously Black-owned and operated business in the United States–will be the first Black-owned agent to receive the northAmerican® Van Lines Agent of the Year award. The award presentation will be held February 7 at the company's new office in Charlotte,
The Future is Black: Dunamis Clean Energy Partners paves way on EV charging
By Sherri Kolade Dunamis Clean Energy Partners, LLC, a woman-owned MBE certified full-service leader in the commercial and industrial cleaning, lighting, and electric car charging industries hasn’t stopped paving the way for futuristic, clean energy ideals since the multi-million-dollar energy firm opened in 2012. Dunamis prioritizes its customers in the manufacturing, government, and healthcare industries while reducing energy costs and giving back and protecting the very environment its customers and future workers live in. Native Detroiter Natalie King, founder and chief executive officer of Dunamis, spoke to the Michigan Chronicle
Spreading the Wealth: Financial Expert Jacqueline Campbell Invests in Community, Next Generation
Motown native Jacqueline Campbell began her career in financial services when she was a teenager. “My original entry into this industry was through the high school co-op program,” said Campbell. “We had an option during our senior year to do a work-study program. I signed up to work at Comerica Bank. Upon graduation, my internship was supposed to end, but I became so passionate about the financial services industry that they asked me to stay on as a permanent employee.” From there, she never looked back. Soon after, her
Tivity Health Appoints Stephanie Davis Michelman to Board of Directors
Tivity Health, Inc. a leading provider of health improvement solutions, announced today the appointment of Stephanie Davis Michelman as an independent director to its Board of Directors. Michelman, most recently Vice President/General Manager, of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics (Estée Lauder Companies), has over 15 years' experience driving growth and profitability in public and private companies, working to expand several of the most well-known consumer brands. "Stephanie brings a keen insight and a wealth of experience to support Tivity Health's strategy and growth and we welcome her to the board,"