Tennis Boost @ HBCUs

An excerpt from the NY Times - 

Tennis Programs at Historically Black Colleges Receive a Boost

The U.S.T.A. has initiated a grant program with the ultimate goal of enhancing opportunities for players of color, especially women, to become coaches and grow the game.

By David Waldstein 

David Dinkins, shown in 1989, enjoyed playing with tennis greats
and still hit the court into his late 80s. Credit...Neal Boenzi/The New York Times

Rochelle Houston had an advantage. Her father, Joe Goldthreate, is a legendary tennis coach in Nashville, who taught her not only how to play the game, but how to coach it, too.

Houston is now the head of tennis at Florida A&M, which until recently meant she coached both teams. But the men’s team was cut in 2020 due to a lack of funding, and the women’s team makes do. It certainly does not enjoy the lavish facilities and recruiting budgets of many large Division I programs.

That is typical of many, if not all, of the 38 historically Black colleges and universities that have tennis programs. To help address that, the United States Tennis Association has initiated a grant program to contribute funding to those college programs, with the ultimate goal of enhancing opportunities for players of color, especially women, to become coaches and grow the game.

“There is a desperate need,” Houston said Wednesday from her office in Tallahassee, Fla. “We don’t have a lot of funding. We barely get by. This program will help significantly.”

The grant is named after David Dinkins, the former mayor of New York who was a board member of the U.S.T.A. and longtime tennis player, fan and active supporter. Had it not been for Dinkins’ advocacy and intervention, the U.S. Open might not even be in New York anymore, and might not have its showpiece venue, Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest in tennis.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/01/sports/tennis/us-open-hbcu-dinkins.html

We Should Follow Her Lead

An excerpt from Black Enterprise - 

MULTIMILLIONAIRE RACHEL RODGERS SHARES 5 STRATEGIES SHE USED TO BUILD HER EMPIRE

by Ashantai Hathaway

Dale May Photography

Rachel Rodgers is a multimillionaire. She lives on a 53-acre ranch with her husband and family in Greensboro, NC. But she says she got it all from hard work and strategic planning.

“Both of my parents were laid off from their jobs at the same time. I remember our lights getting turned off because my parents couldn’t afford to pay the electricity bill,” Rodgers told Business Insider.

Rodgers graduated from law school, but could not find a good-paying job because of the recession.

“I became an entrepreneur by necessity because there were not many good job offers. So, I clerked for a judge for a year making $41,000,” she said. After that, she focused on building her business.

Rodgers started her business working as a business coach and attorney. Her initial goal was to earn $50,000 a year while working from home. A little over a decade after starting her company, Rodgers is a multi-millionaire. Here are the strategies she used to build her wealth. . .

https://www.blackenterprise.com/multimillionaire-rachel-rodgers-shares-5-strategies-she-used-to-build-her-empire/?test=prebid

He Nailed It!

 

We are all in this video pic.twitter.com/ZebenP2Aid

— Washington Post TikTok Guy 🥉 (@davejorgenson) September 2, 2021

FAMU's Concert Choir + Marching 100 Band to Perform at NFL Kickoff

From wctv.tv - 

FAMU Marching 100 and Concert Choir to perform during NFL Kickoff festivities in Tampa

By Pat Mueller

Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 and Concert Choir
will perform as part of the pregame festivities for the
NFL’s 2021 Kickoff game in Tampa, according to a press release.(FAMU)

Florida A&M University’s Marching 100 and Concert Choir will perform as part of the pregame festivities for the NFL’s 2021 Kickoff game in Tampa, according to a press release.

The game between the Dallas Cowboys and reigning Super Bowl LV Champions Tampa Bay Buccaneers is set for 8:20 p.m. on Sept. 9.

The FAMU Concert Choir will collaborate with Alicia Keys to update her version of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” before performing it live at Raymond James Stadium, says NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Issacson.

“This will mark the first time ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ will be sung live at an NFL stadium and we are looking forward to shining a light on such a versatile and talented choir, while also honoring the legacy of the song,” Issacson says.

https://www.wctv.tv/2021/09/03/famu-marching-100-concert-choir-perform-during-nfl-kickoff-festivities-tampa/

Absolutely Agree!

An excerpt from the Washington Post - 

Opinion: Doctors should be allowed to give priority to vaccinated patients when resources are scarce 

By Ruth Marcus

I’m going to come right out and say it: In situations where hospitals are overwhelmed and resources such as intensive care beds or ventilators are scarce, vaccinated patients should be given priority over those who have refused vaccination without a legitimate medical or religious reason.

This conflicts radically with accepted medical ethics, I recognize. And under ordinary circumstances, I agree with those rules. The lung cancer patient who’s been smoking two packs a day for decades is entitled to the same treatment as the one who never took a puff. The drunk driver who kills a family gets a team doing its utmost to save him — although, not perhaps, a liver transplant if he needs one. Doctors are healers, not judges.

But the coronavirus pandemic, the development of a highly effective vaccine, and the emergence of a core of vaccine resisters along with an infectious new variant have combined to change the ethical calculus. Those who insist on refusing the vaccine for no reason are not in the same moral position of the smoker with lung cancer or the drunk driver. In situations where resources are scarce and hard choices must be made, they are not entitled to the same no-questions-asked, no-holds-barred medical care as others who behaved more responsibly.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/09/03/doctors-should-be-allowed-give-priority-vaccinated-patients-when-resources-are-scarce/

Black Boy Genius!

An excerpt from Black Enterprise -

MEET THE 13-YEAR-OLD ‘BLACK BOY GENIUS’ ATTENDING CLASSES AT GEORGIA TECH

by Alexa Imani Spencer 

                        Caleb Anderson (WXIA-TV)

At just 13 years old, Caleb Anderson is attending one of the top universities in the country. The teenager recently began classes at Atlanta’s Georgia Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as Georgia Tech. 

“The classes try to be intimidating, but they’re really not,” Caleb told local WXIA-TV about his first day. “They’re just really average classes almost with just a lot more people and more technology.”

Caleb, a resident of nearby Marietta, was the youngest Black boy to be accepted in Mensa International, the “High IQ Society,” at age 3, the news station reported. A year prior to that, he could read the United States Constitution. And while learning English as his first language, he also learned Spanish, French, and Mandarin.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/meet-the-13-year-old-black-boy-genius-attending-classes-at-georgia-tech/

More HBCU Love

An excerpt from 24/7 Sports -

Deion Sanders, Nick Saban teaming up for HBCU initiative

ByBRAD CRAWFORD  

Seven-time national champion coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders are joining forces this season to bring more exposure across college football to Historically Black Colleges and Universities while also aiding citizens in communities of color with unexpected medical bills that health insurance may not cover, supplemental insurance provider Aflac has announced.

Saban is a long-time brand ambassador for Aflac and now welcomes Sanders, the head coach at Jackson State University, to the spotlight this season. The two football figureheads have filmed three commercials that will debut this season.

"Aflac is rooted in caring for people when they need them most, whether through their policies and services or the way they tackle issues that are important to all communities. We share a vision when it comes to supporting HBCUs and, more broadly, communities of color," Sanders said in a press release. "I like to say that I see myself as standing in the gap between those who need greater support and the institutions that can provide that support. Aflac helps close gaps for their customers who have medical bills that their health insurance doesn't cover, so together, I look forward to working with Aflac, the Aflac Duck and, of course, Coach Nick Saban as we put the ball in the end zone and make a real difference in peoples' lives."

https://247sports.com/Article/Deion-Sanders-Nick-Saban-teaming-up-with-Aflac-for-HBCU-initiative--169625029/

When Your Tee Speaks For Ya

From Essence - 

Say It Loud! Embrace Your Blackness With These Fun And Empowering Graphic Tees

SELF-EXPRESSION IS ALWAYS A MUST — ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO STYLE!

BY EMERALD ELITOU 

available at Black Love Creations US $20

Fashion affords us many avenues to express our personal style, but we find graphic t-shirts are the coolest way to tell it like it is with our wardrobe. Just recently, Angela Bassett caused a shopping frenzy when she was spotted shopping at Whole Foods wearing a graphic tee that stated, Black Women Glow Differently. 

The empowering graphic t-shirt was worn shortly after news broke that the iconic actress inked a whopping $450,000 per episode deal for her part on the television series, 9-1-1. A history-making glow-up!

As you may know, we advocate for self-expression (especially when it comes to style)! Whether you’re into a vegan lifestyle or traveling abroad, there are plenty of graphic t-shirts on the market that can say it all with just a few words or a striking image. 

Below, check out some of our favorite tees that express our Blackness with the cutest phrases. And as a bonus, these shirts can be purchased by Black-owned businesses for Black Business Month. Cheers!

https://www.essence.com/fashion/these-black-owned-graphic-tees-are-equal-parts-empowering-and-stylish/#1092148

Five Black-Owned Social Media Sites

From Black Information Network - 

Five Black-Owned Social Media Sites You Should Check Out

By Ryan Shepard

When most people think about Silicon Valley, diversity and inclusion efforts are often the last things to come to mind. Furthermore, the world's most powerful social media sites have had issues hiring more Black tech professionals to work at their companies. In fact, a recent report from Future Forum pointed out that only 5.3% of tech professionals are Black. As a result, industry insiders and consumers have found it easy to push aside Black-owned social media sites. Nevertheless, several Black-owned apps and social media platforms have found a way to push forward and make their presence known. For example, apps like TrueSo and MelaninPeople take the features of the world's most popular apps and mold them into a unique playground for Black influencers, content creators and everyday users.

The new kid on the block for all #BlackTwitter #BlackPanther #melanin #BlackWomen #blackmen #blackentrepreneurs pic.twitter.com/GfcyADrHpk

— MelaninPeople App (@MelaninPeople) December 6, 2020

https://www.binnews.com/content/2021-07-30-five-black-owned-social-media-sites-you-should-check-out/ 

Time To Go

 

Lightning strikes outside White House as Marine Sentry stands his post. pic.twitter.com/JYu3BkijU3

— Jeremy Art (@cspanJeremy) August 26, 2021

Shucking Corn

 

@creativescraps

I saw it on Tiktok and had to try it, wonderful corn all winter, bundt pan $8.97 Walmart my husband filed the hole a bit bigger

♬ original sound - user card creator

FedEx + Nascar + HBCUs?

 

Proud to take this special #FedExCares Toyota to @DAYTONA, promoting the long-standing relationship between @FedEx and HBCUs. Driving change and helping raise awareness. Now let's go get this W! pic.twitter.com/z6k0oobBfa

— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) August 25, 2021

She Made Spam Callers Pay Up. Check Out How.

From Bored Panda - 

Woman Reveals How She Makes Spam Callers Pay Her Money In This Viral Thread

By Rokas Laurinavičius and Mindaugas Balčiauskas 

Unwanted calls, including illegal and spoofed robocalls, are the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) top consumer complaint and its top consumer protection priority. So as you can imagine, Americans receive plenty of them. But a Twitter user who goes by the name Miss Odessa has just posted a thread, explaining how Americans can make money off of them.

The Californian mother walked everyone through the multi-step process but some people, even though they appreciated the detailed guide, said the task seems a bit too demanding for their comfortable butts. Everyone wants free money.

https://www.boredpanda.com/making-money-from-spam-calls-usa/

Casino Workers Spill the Tea

From Buzzfeed - 

Casino Workers Are Sharing Secrets Of Casinos And It's Super Fascinating

These secrets are the jackpot.

by Ryan Schocket

1. "What we don't want you to know is how many people die in our hotels. Gamblers are risk-takers by nature — people come to casinos to tear it up. We bus in seniors by the thousands. Drugs and alcohol, nonstop consumption of cigarettes, lights, noise, spectacle!"

—u/Meet_the_Meat

2. "Slot machines are created by teams of mathematicians in a way that will always favor the casino, but at the end of the day are still purely up to luck."

—u/Apprehensive-Sir1988

3. "At the majority of casinos, they will state that there's a house advantage either posted on the walls or on the slot machines themselves."

—u/Apprehensive-Sir1988

For more, check out the link below.

https://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanschocket2/casino-worker-secrets-reddit

Body Hacks That Actually Work!

https://youtu.be/KvP5p-xAflc

How They Retired at 40 and Moved to Portugal

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/19/how-this-couple-retired-at-40-and-moved-their-family-to-portugal.html

Young Lady caught on CCTV dancing outside her new place of work after ge...

https://youtu.be/wtqIwsCFTbY

Reparations Owed to HBCUs? Yes, But Don't Hold Your Breath

An excerpt from Black Enterprise -  

A NEW BOOK MAKES THE ARGUMENT THAT HBCUS ARE OWED REPARATIONS

by Derek Major

Adam Harris' book The state must provide.
(Image: Goodreads)

While a student at Alabama A&M University, Adam Harris took a short drive to the University of Alabama-Huntsville and was shocked by the difference in the school and HBCUs.

Harris saw nothing but smooth roads, tree-lined streets, and new buildings. It looked nothing like the campus he called home.

“They had new and newly renovated buildings,” Harris told NBC News. “The library had longer operating hours and a more extensive collection. Potholes had been filled — if they’d ever been there. And very few of the students I saw that day were Black, which was interesting for a regional school because Huntsville is roughly 30% Black. But just 10% of UAH’s campus was Black.”

The visit made Harris wonder why the facilities at a white school founded in 1950 were better than an HBCU founded 75 years earlier?

Harris spent the next decade figuring out the answer to that question in his book  “The State Must Provide: Why America’s Colleges Have Always Been Unequal—and How to Set Them Right.”

Harris, a reporter for The Atlantic, examined the history of how racial discrimination against HBCUs led to decades of underfunding and undermining that supplemented many of their struggles. Due to decades of bias and neglect by the federal government, Harris concluded that HBCUs are owed reparations.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/a-new-book-makes-the-argument-that-hbcus-are-owed-reparations/

Hospitals and Insurers Are Hiding Something

From the NY Times - (Make sure you're calm when you read this because it will likely cause your blood pressure to rise. - Faye)

Hospitals and Insurers Didn’t Want You to See These Prices. Here’s Why.

By Sarah Kliff and Josh Katz Produced by Rumsey Taylor

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/22/upshot/hospital-prices.html?referringSource=articleShare

HBCU Young Entrepreneurs

An excerpt from Essence - 

These HBCU Students Are Taking The Business World By Storm

THESE 4 ENTREPRENEURS ARE NOT ONLY YOUNG, SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNERS, BUT THEY ARE USING THEIR PLATFORMS TO MAKE POSITIVE CHANGES WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.

Here are a few young entrepreneurs from HBCUs who are shattering glass ceilings, making an impact, and are well on their way to exceeding greatness. And you should definitely want to know about them.

COURTESY: BYKD

Tahir Murray, Howard University C/O ‘21

LegacyHistoryPride, also known as LHP, is a collegiate lifestyle brand that designs and develops apparel inspired by HBCUs and Black culture. The CEO of the company, Tahir Murray, is a 22-year-old graduate of Howard University’s School of Business. LHP offers a variety of apparel options from varsity jackets, crewnecks, t-shirts and more. With every sale, a portion of the proceeds specifically benefits the College or University through their Licensing Agreements. Beyond that, LegacyHistoryPride partners directly with the students and alumni of these institutions to develop collaborations toward the growth of scholarship opportunities. LHP has been featured on some celebrities such as Chance the Rapper and Chris Paul.

See more at the link below.

https://www.essence.com/festival/2021-essence-festival-of-culture/women-in-the-sports-business/