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
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
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
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,
How to handle the holiday season and loss of loved ones
by Aaliyah Bowden, The Charlotte Post The holidays are coming but some people won’t be in the mood to celebrate. After someone near and dear to you dies, it may be hard to enjoy end-of-the-year traditions. Holiday grief is when a person loses a relative or loved one near the holidays or certain festivities had special meaning to the deceased. “It’s a paradox because we’re there to celebrate but at the same time that the person is not there, it kind of dims that celebration,” said David Roundtree, owner and
Black Angels Take Flight
Joshua Matthews, flight attendant, left, Kenny Jordan flies airplane during lesson, center, Kenny Jordan, right. By Megan Kirk The friendly skies have not always been so kind to Black people. Airports were largely segregated and many Blacks could not afford ticket fares. To make the distinction, though airlines were not legally segregated, airports actively practiced it and African Americans who did fly faced discrimination. Serving on the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan, Charles Diggs Jr. helped to revolutionize segregation in national airports. It was not until 1948 when airports were legally desegregated
Here’s why your Thanksgiving meal could be the ‘most expensive’ in history
By Black Information Network There may be a hitch in your Thanksgiving plans this year, and it’s likely hitting your wallet. According to expert predictions, this year’s Thanksgiving meal may be the most expensive yet, with multiple forces to blame.The ripple effect of a backed up global supply chain has already had some Americans waiting months for furniture and leaving grocery store shelves bare, but experts say holiday meal costs go beyond the supply chain issues. The nation’s food supply has been impacted by the supply chain issues at the global level. The
IN MEMORIAM: Colin Powell Remembered as a ‘Good Man,’ and ‘Great American’
By Stacy M. Brown Colin Powell has died from complications from Covid-19, his family members have confirmed. The first Black US secretary of state was 84. “General Colin L. Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, passed away this morning due to complications from Covid 19,” the former General’s family wrote on Facebook. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father, grandfather and a great American,” the family wrote. They reported that Powell had been fully vaccinated. Powell became the first Black national security adviser during the end of