IN MEMORIAM: Legendary Actor, Sidney Poitier, 94, Has Died
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent@StacyBrownMedia Legendary actor Sidney Poitier, who broke barriers and stood for justice and Black lives during the most tumultuous times of the civil rights movement, has died. Poitier, whose iconic 71-year career, included starring roles in “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner” and “Uptown Saturday Night,” was 94. His cause of death has yet to be confirmed. In an exclusive phone call with the Black Press of America, Bill Cosby said he will miss his long-time friend and
Black Influencers Earn 35 Percent Less than White Influencers, Nearly Half Report that their Race Contributed to an Offer Below Market Value
Since social media has existed, people have reached online fame based on what they post to their profile. Through apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok, some accounts have gained hundreds of thousands of followers and reached what is commonly known as influencer status. Within the past few years, influencers have started to monetize their following with companies who pay them to post ad-related content. Influencers have also been picked up for commercials and other professional ad placements. It has been suspected that white influencers benefit more than
What Rising Prices & Inflation Means For Black Americans
From gas to groceries, American households are seeing rising prices as the US economy attempts to recover from last year’s pandemic lockdown. In the last months, American consumers have seen a 13-year high in prices with little indication when things might get better. Before the start of the pandemic, studies showed that Black Americans were financially vulnerable and still recovering from the 2008 financial crisis. Pair that with higher unemployment rates and increased risk of experiencing homelessness, and the economic toll on our communities is dire. So what does higher inflation
300, AN INDEPENDENT ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY, CO-FOUNDED BY LYOR COHEN, KEVIN LILES, AND ROGER GOLD SELLS TO WARNER MUSIC GROUP
Warner Music Group (WMG) announced the acquisition of 300 Entertainment, one of the world's most successful and influential independent music companies. 300's artists include top-charting, multi-platinum stars such as Megan Thee Stallion – who won Best New Artist at this year's Grammy Awards, Young Thug and his label Young Stoner Life, Gunna, Fetty Wap, Highly Suspect, the newly signed "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" Mary J. Blige, and many others. Since its launch nearly a decade ago, 300 has been distributed by Atlantic Records, and the acquisition represents the expansion of an
African American Entrepreneurs Head SPAC in $126.5 Million IPO to Acquire Black-owned Firms
Shawn Rochester, who authored the spellbinding book “The Black Tax: The Cost of Being Black in America,” and Robin Watkins, a highly regarded financial and operations accountant, have made Wall Street history. And the two are poised to break through more barriers in the financial world. Their latest venture, Minority Equality Opportunities Acquisitions Inc. (MEOA), has raised $126.5 million they’ve earmarked to help minority businesses and enterprises grow and prosper through mergers and acquisitions. “It’s amazing to be a part of this,” Watkins, a Drexel University graduate, stated. While Rochester serves
Sharon Bowen Makes History As First Black Woman To Lead The NYSE Board
Sharon Y. Bowen made history this month, becoming the first Black woman to chair the New York Stock Exchange Board. Bowen has a nearly 40-year career in corporate transactional law and is no stranger to making history. In 2014, Bowen became the first African American appointed Commissioner of the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Appointed by former President Barack Obama, Commissioner Bowen served until 2017. Bowen’s expansive career began as a corporate and transactional law associate at Davis, Polk & Wardwell before she became a partner at Latham & Watkins. Throughout
Statue Of Mary McLeod Bethune To Replace Confederate General At US Capitol
By Cherranda Smith, Black Information Network Mary McLeod Bethune was the daughter of formerly enslaved African people, a dedicated educator and advisor to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and her legacy will now live on at the nation's capitol. According to NBC News, a statue of Bethune will be replacing a Confederate general to represent the state of Florida at the nation's capitol. This replacement is historic, marking the first time an African American represents a state at the National Statuary Hall located within the US Capitol building. Bethune's trailblazing legacy will be eternalized in an 11-foot, 6,000 pound
LeVar Burton Will Host The 94th Scripps National Spelling Bee
Accomplished actor, director, educator and lifelong children’s literacy advocate LeVar Burton will serve as host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee for the televised semifinals on June 1 and finals on June 2, 2022, near Washington, D.C. Burton has won Emmy and Grammy awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He will serve as grand marshal of the Jan. 1, 2022, Rose Bowl Parade, themed “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” He has entertained generations as former host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow” (1983-2006); starring as Kunta Kinte in the acclaimed television miniseries “Roots”
Make it a Green Christmas: Spend less, achieve more over the holidays
By Sherri Kolade The adage, “less is more” applies perfectly to this holiday shopping season for those ready to risk it all and overspend during this time that shouldn’t be taxing on your finances. Granted, during the holiday season, it’s easy to overspend on family, friends and other loved ones who made our nice list this Christmastime — especially when you see their eyes light up as they open their gifts from you. But this Christmas might be even trickier to navigate financially as prices increase and product shortages
Taco Bell Appoints Sean Tresvant As Global Chief Brand Officer
Taco Bell announced that it has appointed Sean Tresvant as its Global Chief Brand Officer, effective January 10, 2022. Tresvant will lead Taco Bell into a new age of transformative global marketing, spearheading boundary-pushing, multi-dimensional efforts that drive culture, initiate change and create impact. From strategic omni channel initiatives to digital customer touchpoints, he will further elevate and differentiate the Taco Bell fan experience as the brand continues redefining innovation in its industry. Tresvant brings more than a decade of marketing success from his time with Nike as the