From From Buzzfeed -
Dan Rather on Trump.
Monday, April 7, 2025
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Black Women Inventors
An excerpt From Black Enterprises -
Black Women Inventors Hold These Historic Patents
Black women remain resilient and continue to offer creative, impactful inventions.
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| (Photo: New American/Wikimedia Commons) |
Marian Croak, born May 14, 1955, is an engineer noted for her contribution to the development of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that digital signals for internet transmission convert voice data into. In 2009, she was granted U.S. Patent No. 7,599,359 for her contributions in this area regarding audio and video conferencing. Croak started at Bell Labs in 1982, where she worked on network engineering and digital telecommunications. She also created a text-to-donate system that raised millions of dollars during disasters. In 2014, Croak joined Google to lead the company’s Research Center for Responsible AI and Human-Centered Technology. Croak, who has more than 200 patents, works to advance racial justice and encourages young women and girls to engage in engineering.
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| WikimediaCommons/CCA Born in Queens, New York, in 1922, Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system and was the first to use closed circuit television surveillance systems outside of a business. A resident of a neighborhood with high crime rates and a slow police response, she created a system in 1966 with peep holes, a sliding camera, monitors, a two-way microphone, and an alarm button to call the police. She received her grant of U.S. Patent No. 3,482,037 for her creation on December 2, 1969. Her invention marked the beginning of modern security technology and remains a vital part of home and business security systems today.
Dr. Patricia Bath, born in Harlem, New York, on November 4, 1942, invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that enhanced the speed and accuracy of cataract removal. She became the first Black woman physician to receive a medical patent in 1988 (U.S. Patent No. 4,744,360). A trailblazer in ophthalmology, she was the first Black woman to complete an ophthalmology residency at New York University and the first woman to lead an ophthalmology residency program in the United States at Drew UCLA. She had a commitment to increase access to eye care, co-founding the American Institute for the Prevention of Blindness in 1976. A laser surgery and vision care expert, she was recognized for her contributions and was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2022. She died on May 30, 2019. |
Larry Fitzgerald - Even More Impression After NFL Career
An excerpt from AfroTech -
Former NFL Player Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Has Invested In Over 160 Startups And Is Empowering The Youth In STEM
By Samantha Dorisca
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| Photo Credit: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR |
One year after being drafted into the league, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation was formed, inspired by his mother, Carol, who passed away from breast cancer in 2003, according to its website. She was committed to helping others who were battling breast cancer, and her work is being continued through the foundation, with resources, education, and support being provided to organizations upholding this mission.
Additionally, the Larry Fitzgerald Foundation’s second pillar focuses on youth empowerment by working to improve literacy rates and expand children’s access to technology in K-12 education. In October 2024, Fitzgerald hosted a field trip to the Phoenix Raceway for Luke Elementary students, where they designed their own cars, explored how friction affects speed, and experienced a high-tech NASCAR simulator, according to AZFamily.
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Larry Fitzgerald Enterprises
He has gone on to become a board member at DICK’S Sporting Goods, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and Qualtrics. He is also a serial investor with a portfolio that includes more than 160 startups under Larry Fitzgerald Enterprises, which consists of the following sectors:
Real Estate
Hospitality
Travel
Sports
Technology
Specific companies include Greyson Clothiers, WHOOP, Arizona Drive, Infinite Athlete, Steak 44, and Chess.com.
“As a youth, I struggled academically and had occasional behavioral issues. I was eventually diagnosed with ADHD, and one of my academic counselors had me try something unconventional to help me deal with my condition: chess. From there, I became obsessed,” he expressed, according to Morgan Stanly.
Championing Health & Saving Lives
An excerpt from Renowned
Surgeon Dr. Maseray S. Kamara Is Championing Health Equity in The U.S.
by Gee NY
Despite Black Americans making up 13% of the U.S. population, only 5.4% of physicians are Black, and of those, only 2.8% are Black women, according to a 2021 report in The Lancet.
Dr. Maseray S. Kamara, MD, is one of the few Black women in the field of colon and rectal surgery, specializing in robotic surgery and anorectal disease.
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Dr. Kamara’s path to medicine was driven by more than just a desire to treat disease—it was about empowering patients through knowledge and advocacy.
“I realized that healthcare wasn’t just about treating disease—it was about empowering patients with knowledge, advocating for better health outcomes, and making a tangible difference in people’s lives,” Dr. Kamara told Girl Talk HQ.
Her work is particularly significant as Black Americans face disproportionately higher rates of colorectal cancer, with Black men and women 20% more likely to be diagnosed and 40% more likely to die from the disease than other racial groups, according to the American Cancer Society. Dr. Kamara’s presence in the field is not just about representation—it’s about saving lives.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
New Business
I want to express my sincere apologies for being a bit quiet lately. I’m thrilled to share that I've just launched a new business that’s been keeping me wonderfully busy! For Christmas, my sons surprised me with an Etsy Shop, and I've officially opened it for business. It showcases a variety of handmade crafts, and I can’t wait for you to check it out!
You can find it at SharpeStitch.etsy.com
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Friday, March 7, 2025
He Surprised Them!
@violin_phonix 13 year old pianist @Lucas Chiche shocks everyone..😱 Violins by @Florian Leonhard Fine Violins #vivaldi #vivaldifourseasons #prodigy #violin #piano #classicalmusic #livemusic #publicpiano ♬ son original - Violin phonix
https://www.tiktok.com/@violin_phonix/video/7476796281839570198
Dilara Casey's Seriously Great Resume Advice!
From Buzzfeed -
"Don't Put It On Your Résumé": This Résumé Writing Pro Is Going Viral For Sharing The Mistakes Too Many People Are Still Making In 2025
Excuse me while I make immediate edits to my résumé...
by Megan Liscomb, Senior Editor
This is too good to cherry-pick. Read the whole article.
Or, go to TikTok below and watch the video.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Sidewalk Fun
@louannkristy Stay tuned! Carnival is coming and that can only mean one thing !! Carnival hopscotch is back 2025 edition! #hopscotch #pavementhopscotch #trinidadandtobago #trini_tiktoks #fyp ♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys - Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey
https://www.tiktok.com/@louannkristy/video/7473264139167599927
@louannkristy The last clip is pure energy, so stick around to catch that! And if you’re in Trini, jump in and show us your moves! Hopscotch will be up on Friday until Carnival Tuesday if it survives! 😂 #HopscotchChallenge #TriniVibes #wholesome ##pavementhopscotch #trinidadandtobago #trini_tiktoks #hopscotch ♬ Rock and Roll Session - Canal Records JP
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Friday, February 21, 2025
Michael Jordan Steps Up Big For Health Care For Uninsured
An excerpt from Good.is -
NBA legend Michael Jordan opens up fourth North Carolina health clinic for the uninsured
Michael Jordan is quietly becoming the GOAT of healthcare access.
By Erik Barnes
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| Jordan speaking at a ribbon cutting ceremony for one of the earlier Novant Health clinics in 2019.Photo credit: Novant Health |
After successfully building three other clinics, as mentioned on Upworthy and Scoop Upworthy, NBA all-star Michael Jordan teamed up once again with Novant Health to build a fourth clinic for the uninsured in North Carolina. The health clinic is the second one built in Wilmington and opened on February 19, 2025.
Jordan is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player to compete in the National Basketball Association. With a career at the top spanning from 1984 through 2003, Jordan became a six-time NBA champion and four-time gold medalist in the Olympics. Jordan would be inducted in the NBA Hall of Fame in 2009.
This creation of this health clinic was based on the benefits shown from the previous clinics in the state. After the success of the first clinic, Jordan gifted $10 million to Novant Health to expand and create others. Each location was chosen based on the barriers the community was facing in obtaining health care, including transportation. Many patients had their first primary care visit with a physician thanks to Jordan’s clinics providing these services for people who cannot afford health insurance.
This new clinic will have a standard primary care team of physicians, but also a community health worker to assist the patients and grant access to community resources. The 7,3000-square-foot clinic and its 12 patient rooms will be open on weekdays.
Racial Draft = Solid Gold
An excerpt from WhiskeyRiff -
Tiger Woods’ Visit To The White House Instantly Reminded People Of Dave Chappelle’s Famous “Racial Draft” Skit
By Quinn Eaton
Tiger Woods is currently trending across all social media platforms.
Why? Well, the pro golfer was at the White House for a meeting with President Donald Trump that had the future of the game of golf in mind. The POTUS has voiced his desire to bring the PGA Tour and the LIV Tour together, or at the very least allow for some crossover between the two. So Trump met with Tiger, Adam Scott and PGA commissioner Jay Monohan. Saudi Arabia’s PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan was also rumored to be in attendance at the White House.
However, the moment that really stole the show was when President Donald Trump addressed a Black History Month Reception that was happening at the White House, and since Tiger Woods was already there, he apparently invited him to tag along. It made for quite the moment, as you can see in this photo shared by the White House:
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There were also a lot of jokes that referenced Dave Chappelle’s clever and somewhat controversial “Racial Draft” sketch, which featured the comedian playing Tiger Woods and being “drafted” with the first overall pick.
An R&B Wedding Playlist
From Yardbarker -
Soul mates: 25 R&B songs that should be on every wedding playlist
By Mya Singleton
Thursday, February 20, 2025
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
Sunday, February 16, 2025
Mayor Wu: Serving Double Duties
An excerpt from Steady -
More Than a Mayor
A Reason To Smile
By Dan Rather and Team Steady
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| Credit: Getty Images |
In an attempt to remind us all that there are still elected officials out there who believe in serving their constituents and their communities, we have found a reason to smile: Michelle Wu, the mayor of Boston. And lest you think we are moving away from a musical focus, just wait.
Wu is the first woman and first person of color to hold the job. A daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she is a self-described “pragmatic progressive.”
Her campaign website lays out her vision: “This moment is a call to action. To me, that means thinking big about how to build a more resilient, healthy, and fair Boston, and then having the courage and political will to fight for all of our families.” By most accounts, she is making good on those promises.
While doing all she can for the residents of Boston, Wu is also an accomplished musician. She started taking piano lessons at the age of four and has been playing ever since. On her first day at City Hall, she had a piano placed in her office. Wu must have found time to use it, if her performance with the Boston Pops is any measure.
Last September, Wu performed with the famed orchestra as part of Concert for the City, an free annual concert for the people of Boston.
Saturday, February 15, 2025
Friday, February 14, 2025
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Saturday, February 8, 2025
2025 African-American Movers & Shakers
From Time.com -
The Closers 2025
25 Black leaders working to end the racial equity gap
By W. K. Kellogg Foundation
Friday, February 7, 2025
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Monday, February 3, 2025
How to Save Yourself When Choking and Alone
@drnosebest Tragic story that just came out about Venezuelan cyclist Daniela Larreal Chirinos. She choked on food and was found 💀 in her apartment after her co-workers became worried when she didn’t show up to work. Between 4,000-5,000 people 💀 from choking per year. If you’re alone and start choking, it can be very scary. Knowing what to do will help you act fast. In the video, I show you the steps to take to save your life. These are the steps: 1. Call 912 2. Cough very hard 3. Do the Heimlich Maneuver 4. Seek medical attention immediately Let me know in the comments if this info was helpful👍🏾 #drnosebest #heimlich #earnosethroat ♬ original sound - Dr. Nose Best
Thursday, January 30, 2025
Monday, January 27, 2025
The Benefits of Daily Gratitude
From Guidepost -
How to Be More Grateful: 5 Simple Ways
Check out these proven ways to invite more gratitude into your heart, health, life, and spirit.
By Valerie Reiss
“Count your blessings.” You’ve heard it so many times it may not even register anymore. But when you actually take a moment to think about what you’re glad for in your life, it feels good, right? That’s sometimes easier said than done. With so many tasks, chores, and responsibilities, it can be hard to focus on the things in your life you feel gratitude for. Luckily, there are tips about how to be more grateful so you can remember and feel more optimistic in your daily life. Start the positive habit of feeling more grateful today!
Benefits of Being More Grateful
Turns out it’s not just a fleeting feeling; studies show that regularly naming the things you’re grateful for has huge benefits to your life and health. Among other positive effects, having more gratitude may:
- Help boost your mood
- Enhance your immune system
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve sleep
In addition, having more gratitude in our lives can make us feel more positive and hopeful about the world. What could you accomplish with a positive attitude today? How would you interact with your loved ones if it always came from a place of gratitude?
5 Simple Ways to Be More Grateful
But how do you do this, exactly? By using proven ways to invite more gratitude into your heart, health, life, and spirit. Here are 5 ways to be more grateful in your daily life.
1. Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal
Like anything else worthwhile, gratitude takes practice. And most experts recommend practicing by writing it down. A daily gratitude journal list in which you jot down five things each morning can be a great help. Start by opening up to a blank page and thinking about all the reasons to give thanks in your life. Or you can find a gratitude buddy you email or text every day. Some people keep a gratitude jar. If you’re a devout non-writer-downer, try numerating your gratefulness each night before dinner, or counting blessings instead of sheep at night, naming the best stuff as you drift off.
2. Train Your Brain to Seek Good
Gratitude studies have revealed that details make it stronger. Instead of listing “my health” and “my wonderful family,” try something like: “being able to hike on Saturday without getting out of breath” and “eating my sister-in-law’s delicious veggie lasagna.” This will help train your brain to seek good—a helpful, neurology-altering talent, especially if you’re prone to seeing what needs fixing. Consider also paying attention to the characteristics of grateful people in your life. What do they focus on? How do they view the world around them?
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Monday, January 20, 2025
HBCU Named Best Nursing School
From Blavity -
This HBCU Has Been Voted The Best Nursing School In The Country
Blavity-U Culture
by Danteé Ramos
For the first time in its nearly four-decade history, the Southern University School of Nursing was voted the best nursing school in the nation.
Earlier this year, Nurse.org, a website for nursing professionals and students, hosted its annual Best of Nursing Awards, with SUSON taking the top spot.
Dr. Sandra Brown, the dean of nursing and allied health, stressed the importance of this award with WAFB.
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| Photo by Naville J. Oubre III/Southern University and A&M College via Getty Images |
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEk80qLR4Cz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
https://blavity.com/southern-university-hbcu-best-nursing-school
“Who's going to be there?”
An excerpt from Salon -
On Michelle Obama's inauguration absence: No need to be phony or fake, there's real work to do
At times, pretending is necessary, but at some point, we must stop
By D. Watkins, Editor at Large
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| Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks on stage during the second day of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center on August 20, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) |
Michelle Obama is not going to the Trump inauguration because she is not a phony — great for her. I hope we take this as a lesson on the proper way to resist.
“Former President Barack Obama is confirmed to attend the 60th Inaugural Ceremonies,” the Office of Barack and Michelle Obama said in a recent statement. “Former first lady Michelle Obama will not attend the upcoming inauguration.”
I can't lie, I have never been more joyous after reading a statement from an elected official, because why go to that?
The trend of being a once-elected president and skipping the inauguration began with former President Donald and First Lady Melania Trump back when Biden beat them in 2020. As spectators and people who love this country, we called Trump out for his childish actions, using language like trader and sore loser; however, I guarantee we will not be doing that to Mrs. Obama because: “Who's going to be there?”
“Who's going to be there?” Is a simple but extremely valuable lesson I learned from my late grandmother Thelma back in the ’80s. She had just got back in the house from a long day of fishing. Scrawny me, about nine years old, was charged with the task of grabbing the bucket of catfish she snatched up out of the car and bringing it into the kitchen where they would be scaled, gutted and eventually eaten. My grandma’s great friend, Miss Betty, walked in as I completed my task.
“Glad I caught you, we taken some crabs over sister Paula house,” Mrs. Betty said, “You should come by around six or seven.”
“Who's going to be there?” My grandma replied.
And I don't remember Miss Betty’s answer, or even if my grandma gave a follow-up to that answer — I actually don't even remember if my grandma traveled to Paula’s house or not — but what I do remember is the look on grandma's face when she uttered those 5 words, "Who's going to be there?" The two women shared a laugh and even though I didn't fully get it, I kind of got it. As I grew older “Who's going to be there?” had officially become a part of my language, especially after I surpassed the teenage and young adult need to be phony. I imagine former First Lady Michelle Obama has fully ended her phony stage after the first Trump inauguration, which she attended.
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The phoniness that Michelle Obama had to subscribe to obviously isn't connected to a need for success in any way. Next to Oprah and Beyoncé, she's probably the most famous Black woman on the globe. The phoniness displayed by Mrs. Obama is directly attached to her husband being the first Black president, the coolest president, the most likable president — perhaps the only Black person in American history who was savvy enough to get white racists to vote for him. I’m sure Mrs. Obama — a woman who took her love for this country very seriously — knew that the 2016 presidential inauguration was the beginning of a four-year disgusting joke made up of inexperience, racism and goofy theatrics. She was too good to attend that inauguration, but she is also a great woman who decided to stand with her husband. Thankfully Mrs. Obama has evolved past that and I believe we should take this as a lesson.
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