MassMutual Great Lakes and First Independence Bank Announce Strategic Alliance Expanding Insurance And Investment Access
MassMutual Great Lakes (MMGL), a Southfield-based firm offering a wide range of financial products and services, is pleased to announce a strategic alliance with Detroit-based First Independence Bank (FIB), the only African American-owned bank headquartered in Michigan and the 7th largest in the country. The alliance will enhance FIB’s ability to provide comprehensive financial services to its retail and commercial clients in Detroit and nationwide, many of whom have been historically underrepresented when it comes to accessing these services. “At MassMutual Great Lakes, we believe every individual, small business
Dr. Tonya M. Matthews Named International African American Museum New CEO
The International African American Museum has found the final piece for the massive global project that will change the landscape of African American history and its curation. Seventeen months after breaking ground on the museum, its board of directors has selected as their CEO, Dr. Tonya M. Matthews. Dr. Matthews, an experienced executive, thought leader, and educator, has proven track records in organizational leadership, strategic planning, diversity and inclusion, program development, project management, and vast visitor, and community engagement initiatives. She is founder of The STEMinista Project, a ground-breaking, national initiative that inspires
Renee Montgomery Makes History in Purchasing WNBA’s Atlanta Dream
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Renee Montgomery, a two-time WNBA champion and vice president of the Atlanta Dream, has purchased a stake in the franchise and is now co-owner. Montgomery is the first retired player to own and serve as an executive of a WNBA team. The superstar and her two partners, Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair of Northland Investment Corp. take over the team that was once co-owned by former U.S. Sen. Kelley Loeffler (D-Ga.). “With the unanimous WNBA and NBA [board] votes, marks a new beginning
Target to spend over $2B with Black-owned companies by 2025
by Sherri KoladeMichigan Chronicle Target announced recently to spend over $2 billion with Black-owned businesses by the end of 2025, Black Enterprise reported. Target made the pledge to add more products to its shelves from over 500 Black-owned businesses and work with more Black retail companies to enhance retail operations and shopping experiences, according to the article. Target will also introduce new opportunities to assist its Black-owned resources in growth for their businesses. Those resources entail a new team geared to giving vendors support to help propel Black-owned companies optimize their brands
Kimberly Godwin named president of ABC News, first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news network
Courtesy of ABC News CBS executive Kimberly Godwin has been named the next president of ABC News, becoming the first Black woman to lead a major broadcast news network. She replaces James Goldston, who left the network last month after seven years in that role, and will start in early May. Godwin will oversee editorial and business operations for broadcast, digital, streaming and audio news across the organization, including the No. 1 programs "Good Morning America," "World News Tonight with David Muir" and "20/20," and the growing streaming channel ABC
Boston Elects First Black Female Mayor
On Monday, March 22, Kim Janey was installed as Mayor of Boston in one of that very provincial and conservative city’s most historic political events in its history. Janey succeeds former mayor Marty Walsh, who resigned to serve as President Joe Biden’s labor secretary. Janey served as the Boston City Council president before taking the momentous step as acting mayor. She is expected to have a ceremonial swearing-in Wednesday, March 24.“History will be made tonight,” Walsh said earlier in the evening. “We’re an extremely diverse city from different backgrounds
NFL Hires First Black Woman Referee
By Stacy M. Brown Maia Chaka knows well that Women’s History Month is all about commemorating, observing, and celebrating the vital role of the fairer sex in American folklore. She just didn’t know she would become a part of that history. After years of officiating games in the Pac-12, Conference USA, and the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, Chaka will head to the NFL in the Fall. When she takes the field in September, the Norfolk State University graduate and health and physical education teacher will do so as the first Black
Wells Fargo Makes Major Investment in Six Black-Owned Banks
By Stacy M. Brown The banking giant has selected six African American minority depository institutions (MDIs) for equity investments. Broadway Federal Bank in Los Angeles, Carver Federal Savings Bank in New York, Citizens Savings Bank & Trust in Nashville, Commonwealth National Bank in Mobile, Ala., M&F Bank in Durham, N.C., and Optus Bank in Columbia, S.C., are receiving critical equity capital, because of Well Fargo’s generous contribution. The financial commitment structure means that the investments are in the form of critical equity capital, which is foundational to the MDIs’ ability
Entertainment Icon Snoop Dogg Announces National Distribution of His Very Own INDOGGO® Gin
Bringing a laidback California style to the spirits industry, Entertainment Icon Snoop Dogg’s INDOGGO® Gin is easy to mix, easy to drink and hard to forget. On the heels of a successful limited launch last Fall, Entertainment Icon and Hip-Hop legend Snoop Dogg has announced his INDOGGO® Gin is now available nationwide. INDOGGO®, crafted with a laid-back California style, is the ultimate remix of seven premium botanicals infused with all-natural strawberry flavor. INDOGGO® was developed by the King of “Gin & Juice,” in partnership with Keenan Towns and Marc
Morehouse, Spelman and Bank of America launch Center for Black Entrepreneurship
Today, Bank of America, the Black Economic Alliance Foundation, Morehouse College, and Spelman College announced the development of the Center for Black Entrepreneurship (CBE), the first-ever academic center of its kind to assemble, educate, and empower a new class of Black entrepreneurial talent. The CBE will be located on the campuses of Spelman College and Morehouse College in southwest Atlanta. Spelman plans to house the CBE in its new academic facility, the Center for Innovation & the Arts, and Morehouse will house its CBE within a new