Chicago Sky’s James Wade named 2022 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year, First Black Executive to be Awarded
Chicago Sky General Manager and Head Coach James Wade has been named the 2022 WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year, the WNBA announced today. For his work in the general manager role, Wade has earned the honor as the league’s top basketball executive for the first time. The voting panel to determine the WNBA Basketball Executive of the Year was composed of one basketball executive from each WNBA team. Each executive submitted a ballot with a first-place vote, second-place vote and third-place vote. Wade won the award by
Toyota Adds Robert C. Davidson Jr. to Diversity Advisory Board
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced the appointment of three new members to its North American Diversity Advisory Board (DAB), one being Robert C. Davidson Jr., CEO, Surface Protection Industries effective August 1, 2022. "Toyota's core philosophy of Respect for People is part of our DNA and is reflected in our long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion," said Sandra Phillips Rogers, senior vice president, corporate resources and chief diversity officer, TMNA. "The addition of Robert, Domenika and Tammy bring powerful voices to the DAB which will help us
Beyond Juneteenth: Breaking the Chains to Access Capital and Achieve Real Freedom
Vercie Lark, left, Region 7 Great Plains Administrator and Ted James, right, Region 6 South Central Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration By Vercie Lark and Ted James Being black and walking away from a person who legally owned you became reality on June 17, 1865, when Texas became the last state to implement the Emancipation Proclamation. The day, now known as Juneteenth, has become one of celebration for black Americans. It was a start. As black Americans, however, we continually must ask the question: “Are we truly emancipated?” While important to celebrate a
Despite Apathy, Activists and Strategists Urge Black Voters Not to Sit out 2022 Midterms
The failure of Congress to pass legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act have frustrated African Americans. With new voter suppression laws, the leaked Roe V. Wade opinion, and the assault on many other rights, some question whether the voting bloc that allowed Democrats to take the White House and control both houses of Congress will abandon the polls during the midterm elections. “Black voters are understandably frustrated with the lack of reform around voter rights, but the lack
Aramie Payton Takes on Broadway as Michael Jackson Understudy in MJ the Musical
By Portia King Chicago is the breeding ground for some of the world’s greatest talent. From musicians to athletes and actors to dancers, the city continues to be the pulse of creativity and charisma. Singer, actor, and dancer, Aramie Payton, is currently playing the iconic King of Pop, Michael Jackson, in the New York City hit Broadway stage play, MJ the Musical. As the understudy, Aramie regularly performs, bringing the King of Pop back to life.” As a Chicago native, Aramie continues to be a shining example of the elevated
Story of Black Rail Workers Inspired by Historical Events told in New Drama “The Porter”
Danielle Sanders, Chicago Defender Managing Editor Set in the early 1920s, “The Porter” follows the journeys of train porters who hustle, dream, cross borders, and pursue their ambitions in the fight for liberation as they traveled the railways across North America. It is a gripping story of empowerment and idealism that highlights the moment when railway workers from both Canada and the United States joined together to give birth to the world’s first Black union. Set primarily in Montreal, Chicago, and Detroit as the world rebuilds after the
AMERICA’S TRUE LIFE – WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
by Ennis Leon Jacobs, Jr I recently wrote an opinion editorial titled “America’s True Critical Race Theory” in response to the political debate in Florida on this civic controversy. I had ulterior motives because my son is deeply immersed in the topic, and a friend, who is a state leader, was deeply moved by the Florida legislative proposals. The article recalled an experience in high school when, during a band trip, I and a classmate were ushered out of the home of a host student because of our
Black-Owned Businesses Thriving Despite Early Pandemic Lows: Here’s Why
Black Information Network Despite being hit the hardest at the beginning of the pandemic, Black-owned businesses are making a significant comeback. Reports say the number of Black small-business owners is up 28 percent compared to before the pandemic. Black people are making greater gains in business than any other demographic — the number of Latino business owners increased by 19 percent and white and Asian-owned businesses saw a 5 percent increase. U.S. News reports that 1.2 million African Americans are self-employed in 2022 compared to 1.1 million in February 2020. Erica Groshen, a university
Changing the Narrative in PR with CLOUT, LLC
By Danielle Sanders, Chicago Defender CLOUT, LLC is a marketing and public relations agency supplying strategic marketing communications counsel and turn-key public relations tools as well as tactics that empower companies and brands to grow their bottom line, influence the markets they serve and protect their corporate reputations. Former McDonald’s Corporation senior marketing communications executive, Michon Ellis founded CLOUT, LLC. Ellis is a Growth-oriented Entrepreneur, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer with nearly 25 years of global and domestic business development, marketing, and communications experience. As an influential leader, he
Bobby Rush Announces He Will Not Be Seeking Re-Election
U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) announced that he will not be seeking re-election for a 16th term. Rush will finish out his current term in the U.S. Congress where he has served continuously since 1993 and continue his lifelong work for justice and equality outside the halls of Congress as a preacher, an activist, and a community organizer. “After nearly three decades in Congress, I have been reassigned,” Bobby Rush said. “Let me make it clear that I am not retiring, I am returning. I’m returning home, returning