The Lasting Impact Of HBCUs On American History
In honor of HBCU Week, we're celebrating the gifts that are Historically Black colleges and universities! HBCUs serve many functions in American society. Not only did they provide educational opportunities to Black Americans when most predominantly white institutions shut them out centuries ago, but they continue to serve an important role in Black culture. These institutions have also left their mark on American history as a whole due to their various contributions. To understand these contributions, let's roll the clock back to the 1800s. The earliest HBCUs are dated back to the
Black business leaders win big with explosive growth in SPACs
Jarvis Stewart admits he knew only a little about Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACS). While SPACS have been the rage on Wall Street in recent years, Stewart’s exposure to the financial markets was gained mainly through his longtime friends, which include Christopher Williams, Chairman of Siebert Williams Shank & Co., one of America’s largest minority-owned investment banks and Daniel Black, Managing Partner, The Wicks Group, a New York-based private equity firm. So, when he received a call just a year ago from an old client, a Canadian CEO
Motivating People Around the World to Reach Greater Heights…the Les Way
By Donald James For more than four decades, the name Les Brown has been synonymous with empowering people to aim high, achieve, and make positive transformations in their respective lives, communities, professions, companies, families, and other sectors of commitments. Simply put, when Les Brown speaks, people listen and their lives change for the better. As a renowned corporate trainer, mentor, speaking coach and best-selling author, Brown is one of the world’s most sought-after motivational speakers. Blessed with a signature smile, engaging personality, and unique sense of humor, all provide
Black Farmer Takes Action In Fight Over Stalled $4 Billion Relief Funding
Dr. John Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, at the Rayburn House Office Building on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.Photo: Getty Images By Zuri Anderson A Black farmer is speaking out amidst the legal battle over $4 billion in federal aid meant to help minority farmers. Dr. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in Virginia and the president of the National Black Farmers Association, told The Hill he's been pressuring lawmakers and the Biden administration to help Black farmers in need. President Joe Biden signed off on a $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package almost a
It Started With Us: The True Origins Of Black History Month
Black Information Network Black History Month is here! A time to celebrate and acknowledge the many contributions that African Americans have had, and continue to do so, in America. While many people honor the annual observance by highlighting memorable figures in history, the origins of BHM are still unclear to many. One Twitter user tweeted: “The only black history history books taught us was systemic racism. the only black historical figures history books taught us was rosa parks & MLK.” Another tweeter shared: “Raise your hand if your history books didn’t teach
It Pays to Give: How Philanthropy Can Fuel Generational Wealth
On the road to wealth, giving away money does not immediately come to mind as a part of that journey. President & CEO of Alexander Legacy Private Wealth Management, Jacqueline Campbell, says that should not be the case.“Most of your major philanthropists talk about giving. If billionaires are talking about it, why aren’t we? You don’t amass your wealth that way, but you attract it when you are a giver.” Campbell has more than 25 years of experience in the wealth management industry. She managed an investment team
What New Workforce Dynamics Mean for Black Professionals
The last two years have resulted in a paradigm shift in the global workforce. The pandemic drastically changed behavioral norms– and businesses and employees alike had to adjust to the new rules of corporate America. Businesses had to identify ways to retain productive employees, particularly during the “Great Resignation of 2021 which saw thousands of employees exit the workforce to seek better working conditions, compensation, and opportunities. As corporations set up for remote working, they also engaged in culture work – having outside consultants perform a culture audit,
Lusia Harris, The Only Woman Drafted To An NBA Team, Dies At 66
Photo: Getty Images Lusia Harris, the only woman officially drafted by an NBA team passed away in her native Mississippi at the age of 66, her family announced Tuesday (January 18). "We are deeply saddened to share the news that our angel, matriarch, sister, mother, grandmother, Olympic medalist, the Queen of Basketball, Lusia Harris has passed away unexpectedly today in Mississippi," Harris' family said in a statement."The recent months brought Ms. Harris great joy, including the news of an upcoming wedding of her youngest son and the outpouring of recognition received by a recent documentary
Boston Bruins Retire Jersey Of Willie O’Ree, NHL’s First Black Player
Photo: Getty Images The Boston Bruins retired Willie O'Ree's No. 22 jersey before Tuesday's (January 18) Bruins-Hurricanes game. According to a Bruins press release, players took the ice for warm-ups in special-edition jerseys with commemorative Willie O'Ree patches prior to the barrier-breaking hockey player's ceremony. "The ice will feature newly-installed No. 22 decals behind each team's net, which will remain on display for three home games," the Bruins announced. O'Ree broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958, becoming the first Black player to compete in an NHL game exactly 64 years ago when
Black mortgage applicants are denied 84% more often than whites
The Black homeownership rate that ticked up before the pandemic has again begun to fall, spurred by a widening mortgage approval gap between Black and white applicants. A Zillow analysis of data from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA)1 shows that while overall denial rates have decreased, Black applicants are increasingly more likely than white borrowers to be denied a mortgage. Black applicants are denied a mortgage at a rate 84% higher than that of white applicants — a big jump from 2019, when the disparity sat at 74%. In the