Minority Communities Need Medicare Advantage. Don’t cut it.
By: Martin Hamlette, JD, MHA It will be years before we learn all the lessons of the COVID crisis, but some are coming into view even now. This pandemic has not hit all communities equally. As we recover, policymakers have a responsibility to avoid the mistakes of the past. Congress is considering historic investments in the social safety net. As they do so, those investments should not be paid for by cuts to programs that help minority communities. One program that Black and Brown Americans increasingly rely upon is
OP-ED: To Labor Day and Labor Days Ahead
By UAW President Ray Curry In 1882, a union man, Peter J. McGuire, founder of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and an early supporter of the creation of the American Federation of Labor, suggested setting aside a day for a “general holiday for the laboring classes.” Almost 130 years later, Labor Day continues to celebrate those who did the work and the magnificent job they have done in building what I will always believe to be, the greatest nation on Earth. One hundred and thirty years later, America
TruSo, a Black-owned Social Networking App Set to Launch
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent A new app could end the so-called “Black Twitter” experience and allow African Americans their own social media platform. Backed by celebrities Sway Calloway, Kareem Grimes, Terrell Owens, and Miki Barber, the Black-owned social networking app, TruSo, is poised to debut. “I believe in the power of community – especially cultural communities,” Matthew Newman, the founder and CEO of TruSo noted in a news release. “As it relates to the Black community, the entire world has witnessed what we can accomplish when we join
Billionaires Row: The Only Black-Owned Champagne Brand in the World
(News Source: www.miamitimesonline.com) – By Selena Stanley Miami Times Staff Writer – When Jay-Z sold 50% of the luxury Champagne brand Ace of Spades, Billionaires Row officially became the only majority Black-owned Champagne brand in the world. With a valuation of approximately $600 million across all of its brands, which include Champagne, a signature cognac, clothing and other goods – the luxury lifestyle company is on track to becoming one of the most recognizable Black-owned conglomerates, according to co-founders William Benson and Patrick Ductant. Breaking into the multimillion-dollar spirits industry, garnering a celebrity
Ready, Set, Go: Black Americans Have Sights On Moving to Different Countries
Coming off the heels of 2020, one thing is for certain: racism is alive and Black Americans are tired. Last year’s pandemic allowed for a surplus of independent time that gave many people a chance to evaluate how life in America had treated them thus far. The deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahamud Arbury sparked nationwide outrage and relevant conversations surrounding the Black experience in neighboring regions. The collective exhaustion is by no means a new feeling for a majority of the African-American community. Instances of racial
How to protect your mental health at work
The number of people getting vaccinated is rising, and more employers will begin to bring their staff back into the office. Even though most people are working from home, employers believe there are benefits to being in the office. There is a stronger sense of togetherness and energy that aligns when team members are together. For some employees, the thought of returning to the office could bring about an increased level of anxiety. Felicia Houston, MA, LCPC, CWA works as a Director of Behavioral Health, Licensed Clinical Professional
Beware of these financial myths about retirement
by Krista WignallFor New Pittsburgh Courier Many people look forward to retirement and all the enjoyment it can bring after having worked so hard for decades. But from a distance, whether a few years or many years away from retirement, it’s not easy to clearly see what retirement will look like. It’s a bit misty, because, after all, there is a lot of uncertainty about the future, and how much money someone will need during retirement and have on hand is subject to numerous variables. But in the process
Workplace reopening? Put employee safety first
Of all the milestones in our nation’s COVID-19 recovery, workplaces reopening is one of the biggest. As millions of people start returning to offices, classrooms and more, the hope of progress is tempered by concerns for safety. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. How can employers help make that happen? The key is planning ahead, says Christopher Gill, vice president of EnviroPro Solutions. “Having enough supplies, the right equipment and clear information—all of these are important. They do more than just keep the workplace safe and sanitized.
The Business of Black Beauty: Why More Black Women Aren’t Represented
By Megan Kirk Actor and comedian Chris Rock released a film in 2009 centered around Black women and the beauty industry. Taking a closer look at the relationship between Black women and their hair, the film “Good Hair” uncovered truths about the significant role Black women play in the multibillion-dollar industry. It also helped to highlight the versatility of Black hair and why Black women dominate the hair and beauty business. In 2019, Essence magazine reported that African Americans spend $1.2 trillion each year on hair and that number
A CEO at Work and at Home, Shauntae Lewis Excels as Certified Grant Writer
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Shauntae E. Lewis heard the naysayers – loud and clear. “I heard ‘you won’t amount to this’ and ‘you’re not good enough,’” Lewis, a certified grant writer who owns and operates Grant Life Consulting in Florida. “My inspiration came from a sense of fear and those things that I had heard in my life – in the professional world,” Lewis recalled. With her four children and her faith as inspiration, Lewis has done more than achieve. She has succeeded. A U.S. Air Force veteran,