https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFbrDD2NfQx/?igsh=aHltdXpnNnQ1Ym44
Friday, April 25, 2025
Monday, April 21, 2025
Dr. Kelly LeBlanc Leads the Nation's Most Technologically Advanced Hospital
An excerpt from the Defender -
Black woman leads at Houston’s most advanced hospital
by ReShonda Tate
When Dr. Kelly LeBlanc walks the halls of the newly opened Houston Methodist Cypress Hospital, she sees more than a groundbreaking medical facility—she sees the future of health care.
And as one of the few Black senior leaders in the building, she knows she’s a key part of shaping it.
The Cypress campus, which opened its doors on March 17, merges cutting-edge technology and compassionate care in a way that’s never been done before in Houston. The hospital is among the first in the country to be fully integrated with AI, ambient listening, and 5G-ready infrastructure. But for LeBlanc, the chief of Anesthesia at the new facility and a senior leader at U.S. Anesthesia Partners—this moment is about more than machines and smart tech. It’s about representation, resilience and creating space for others to rise.
“My very first day at Methodist, a woman came up to me and said, ‘I don’t know why you’re here. Black women don’t last—and they surely don’t make partner,’” LeBlanc recalls. “I looked at her and thought, ‘Watch me.’”
And she did more than just last—she led.
Building from the ground up
Methodist Cypress is the newest hospital in the Houston Methodist system and possibly the most ambitious. Its patient rooms are voice-controlled with Alexa-like functionality. Cameras can detect when a patient is at risk of falling. With a single button, a specialist—like a neurologist—can appear instantly on-screen during a stroke. Every hallway, every room, every medical office is designed with technology in mind.
“There are no phones in the rooms,” said Dr. Nicholas Desai, Chief Medical Officer. “We’ve doubled down on voice to drive everything.”
From fall detection to AI-assisted medical documentation, the facility is built for efficiency. For clinicians, that means less time behind a computer and more time with patients. For LeBlanc, it’s an opportunity to shape what high-quality care looks like for today and the future.
“This is the most technologically advanced hospital in the country,” LeBlanc said. “But the technology doesn’t replace the human touch—it supports it. That’s what makes it so special.”
Everything on Sale!
Surprise your mom or that special lady in your life with a unique handbag and beautiful accessories that will truly highlight her sparkle and let her shine!
Friday, April 11, 2025
LeBron Makes History on the Toy Aisle
From BBC -
LeBron James becomes first male athlete with a Ken doll
By Samantha Granville
 |
| Mattel |
LeBron James, one of the most iconic figures in modern sports, has made history once again - this time in the toy aisle.
Mattel has announced the release of a new Barbie in Mr James' likeness, making him the first professional male athlete to be honoured as a Ken doll.
"We are excited to bring fans a new presentation of Ken," said Krista Berger, Mattel's senior vice president of Barbie. She said the doll celebrates "LeBron as a role model," his ability as an icon to transcend culture and set a "positive example for the next generation."
The doll features the Los Angeles Lakers basketball player in his pre-game fashion and reflects his height - it's an inch taller than the standard Ken doll.
Making America Strong Again
Omg. The Chinese made another re-industrialization video to troll MAGA. pic.twitter.com/nww84PdBYw
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) April 10, 2025
https://x.com/calltoactivism/status/1910387811515064632?s=51&t=oAqSVbyKyZJD4ZXw2lq-WQ
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.
 |
| (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.
 | |||||
| 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.
~~~~~
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.
~~~~~
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
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
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:
~~~~~
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
 |
| 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
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