35 Black Podcasts You Need To Tune Into and Download

The podcasting market has boomed over the last couple of years for black podcasters. Companies like Spotify and Google are often on the lookout to help people find and establish their voice through podcasting. And, with platforms like Anchor.fm, you can record, edit, and distribute your podcast from your smartphone.

Yes, it can be that simple.

Related: 3 Things to Expect and 3 Hacks for Launching Your Own Podcast

Podcasts have become a popular way for people to slow down, listen attentively, and learn new things. For some, they’re even therapeutic.

If you’re looking to explore mind, body, soul, money and more—take a look at these 35 podcasts produced by black podcasters.

1. Your Money, Your Life

your money your life

Your money, Your Life covers money topics ranging from how to control your debt to your psychological relationship with your finances.

#EVERYDAYMONEYMOVES

2. Reid This Reid That

Reid This Reid That is a podcast hosted by play cousins Jacque Reid and Joy-Ann Reid who happen to be professional journalists that you may have heard of… or not. Anywho, we cover pop culture, politics and black girl magic all while having fun.

3. Hey Jason

 Jason Rosario, founder of The Lives of Men and Host of the Yahoo! News original series, Dear Men invites you to an open forum discussing masculinity and manhood.

 4. Affirm 

This biweekly mental health podcast is for women of color who seek wholeness through affirming their worth and placing value on their mental health.

5. Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Let Your Voice Be Heard! is an energetic, award-winning weekly show founded, executive produced, and co-hosted by Black Enterprise’s digital editor, Selena Hill. LYVBH is committed to informing, educating, and empowering millennials on political and social issues via discussion and in-depth interviews with influential leaders

 6. Balanced Black Girl

This self-care podcast hosted by Lestraundra Alfred is known for providing a dose of real-life wellness for women of color. She often has guests on who have candid discussions surrounding healthy lifestyle and happiness.

7. The Get My Life Tour 

The Get My Life Tour is a ‘how through’ podcast. Every stop on this tour (podcast) is designed to help you take center stage in your life. Join BE‘s Lydia T. Blanco and a host of exceptional experts as they share how you can live the life you were created live by showing up for yourself. Admission is Free.

8. Confessions of a Werkaholic 

Confessions of a Werkaholic is a weekly podcast show that shares the untold secrets of fearless female entrepreneurs.

9. Black Girl Podcast

Having met at radio station Hot 97, hosts Scottie Beam, Gia Peppers, Sapphira, Bex, and Alysha P come together for giggle-worthy conversation on the topics of sisterhood, pop culture, love, dreams, and growth.

10. Black Women About Business

This entrepreneurial podcast, hosted by Demarra Gardner, MA, LPC, CAC, is fairly new to the scene, beginning in November of 2018. All episodes are under 20 minutes in length and deliver information to support black females to “intersect business, leadership, and wellness.”

11. Clever Girls Know

Hosted by Bola Sokunbi, this podcast is a platform for financial education that assists women to get out of debt, save, and build their wealth. If you’re looking to improve, maintain or build upon your wealth, this one is for you.

12. Girl CEO Podcast

The Girl CEO Podcast is the playground for entrepreneurs. A podcast for women to learn, grow, be honest about their shortfalls, and most importantly, play. This podcast is an extension of Ronne Browns Girl CEO community and an opportunity for you to hear from her and her amazing guests each week.

13. Courtney Sanders Show 

On The Courtney Sanders Show (formally known as The Think and Grow Chick Podcast), host Courtney dives into entrepreneurship, finances, spirituality, and personal growth topics that are sure to kick you in the butt to chase your goals.

14. The Nod 

The Nod tells the stories of black life that don’t get told anywhere else. Our show ranges from an explanation of purple drink’s association with black culture to the story of an interracial drag troupe that traveled the nation in the 1940s. We celebrate the genius, the innovation, and the resilience that is so particular to being black — in America, and around the world.

15. Gettin’ Grown

Hosts Keia and Jade are two happy and whole 30-somethings figuring their adult lives out. On a weekly basis, they discuss all things regarding black women self-care and pet peeves sure to give the listening audience a chuckle.

 16. Halfway Bougie

In this podcast, hosts Perri Furbert and Courtney Roberts promise to keep it “halfway bougie and all the way real.” Touching on all things pop culture, the two millennials mix personal stories with real-world problems, sparking reflection, and lots of head nods.

17. Jemele Hill Is Unbothered 

Award-winning journalist and culture critic Jemele Hill interviews the most compelling figures in news, pop culture, politics, and sports. Expect unbothered and unfiltered conversations.

18. Happy Black Woman Podcast

If you’re an ambitious black woman who wants to have her cake and eat it too, this is the podcast for you. Host Rosetta Thurman empowers women to have it all in this personal development podcast through interviews with powerful black women who’ve created lives of happiness and freedom for themselves.

19. The Minority Trailblazer 

This podcast is dedicated to minorities who are blazing a trail in a variety of industries such as education, business, comedy, entrepreneurship, etc.

20. H.E.R. Space: Uplifting Conversations for The Black Woman

The H.E.R. in H.E.R space stands for healing, empowerment, and resilience. In this podcast, hosts Terri Lomax and Dr. Dominique Broussard are the catalysts for meaningful conversations, discussing everything from “fibroids to fake friends.”

21. Therapy for Black Girls

As a licensed psychologist in Atlanta, Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D., provides a weekly share session on all things mental health and personal development. Dr. Bradford touches on the latest mental health news and trends, as well as provides practical tips and answering listener questions.

22. Introverted Black Girl Podcast

This podcast touches on society’s biases and pop culture in a relatable way. The host of the Introverted Black Girl Podcast, who is set to reveal her identity this spring, shares stories of her day-to-day experiences as a black introverted girl in a world that seems to be rigged for extroverts.

23. Jesus & Jollof

Hosted by Luvvie Ajayi and Yvonne Oriji, this lifestyle podcast is a random mix of talk on life happenings, success, food, and all things the hosts love. In a nutshell, it’s two Nigerian goddesses chatting it up for listener entertainment.

24. Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations

This inspirational podcast’s aim is to assist listeners to “awaken, discover, and connect” to the world around them. Oprah has personally chosen the audio of interviews she has conducted with some of the world’s top movers and shakers in an effort to guide all who listen to be the best version of themselves.

25. Woman Evolve

Join Sarah Jakes Roberts as she shares her take on the week’s top stories in news and entertainment

26. Everyday Black Men

Join Riker, R. Reed, and Armstead as they discuss topics from the viewpoints of three everyday black men. From the latest in pop culture to black thoughts and relationship problems, there is no topic too controversial.

27. Rants & Randomness

Luvvie Ajayi is known for being a NYT best-selling author and blogger at AwesomelyLuvvie.com, but she prefers to call herself a side-eye sorceress and professional troublemaker. In this hilarious podcast, Luvvie rants about society and all things pop culture. Her Jan. 7 episode entitled “Do Better: Social Media Etiquette” is a must-listen for all.

28. She’s Got Drive

This podcast, hosted by Shirley McAlpine (business consultant and executive coach) asks black women what empowers them. McAlpine strives to dive deeply into the source of guests’ success, finding how they overcame obstacles and pulling out tools and strategies that listeners can apply.

29. The Glow Up Podcast

This podcast hosted by Lené Hypolite is the success antidote for women. The Glow Up Podcast shares stories and takeaways to assist listeners to glow up in their career, finances, and personal life.

30. Side Hustle Pro

This entrepreneurship podcast hosted by Nicaila Matthews Okome shines the spotlight on black females who have scaled their side hustles to profitable, established businesses in an effort to assist listeners to learn actionable strategies they can apply in the infancy stages of their business.

31. Spiritpreneur School: Spiritual Business for Entrepreneurs

The host of this podcast, Abiola Abrams, is an empowerment superstar and author whose mission is to assist heart-based entrepreneurs to succeed. She touches on all things law-of-attraction and healing to build soul-fulfilled, thriving businesses.

33. The Broomstick Podcast

The Broomstick Podcast hosted by Natalie Edwards shares all things weddings and marriages for women of color. If you’re getting married soon, or feel the time is near, this is a great listen to get you prepped for your walk down the aisle.

34. Hella Black Podcast

Hella Black the podcast is brought to you by Delency Parham and Blake Simons. With each episode, they hope to educate and inform their listeners on all things related to Blackness.

35. The Culture Soup Podcast

The Culture Soup Podcast is where tech, culture, and business collide. Each episode, L. Michelle Smith interviews foremost and emerging thought leaders in the space, with topics driven by hot conversations on social media.

 

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2ZpcwNS
via

Drake has ‘no desire’ to end Pusha T and Kanye West feuds, discusses classics in ‘Rap Radar’ interview

Christmas Day graced many of us with good food, nice presents and a two-hour, wide-spanning Rap Radar interview with Drake, where he said he’s open to love, discussed how he’s not looking to end his feud with Pusha-T or Kanye West, and explained what he considers to be his contribution to rap thus far.

In the interview with Elliott Wilson and Brian “B. Dot” Miller, Drake also discussed getting booed at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw, his songs that he considers to be classics, cultural appropriation, and his love of Jay-Z, reported Complex.

READ MORE Drake drops single on Christmas Eve, squashes beef with The Weeknd

Concerning classics, Drake said: “It’s tough to be in the moment talking about classics, we’re still in the moment. I have trouble defining what a classic is anymore. To me, a classic would be a body of work that shaped that year and the years afterward and had a massive impact on the music being made, the culture. So, in that regard, yeah for sure I think I have classic albums,” he said. He went on to name So Far Gone and Take Care as classics, but added that the classics conversation was tough for him. “I hate… I don’t like to give myself compliments, so it’s tough for me… I need someone else to say it.”

He also talked beefs.

He said he was able to resolve his beef with Meek Mill by listening to advice that Serena Williams gave him.

“We had been talking a lot about her and (Maria) Sharapova going back and forth over the years and she had made this comment to me,” Drake explained in the Rap Radar interview. “‘If you’re gonna go again… you gotta finish it.’ And you know she’s a top competitor. So, she was like, ‘You gotta finish it. I’m talking about done. Over. It’s gotta be something that everyone that he’s with and him have to hear…’ She kind of put this battery in my back.”

READ MORE Drake’s dad Dennis Graham reportedly starring in dating reality show

But he said he had “no desire to mend anything with that person” concerning his beef with Pusha-T, and that the same held true for Kanye West.

Drake on Pusha-T:

"Some people like his music. I personally don't 'cuz I don't believe any of it."

[via @ElliottWilson's #RapRadarPodcast] pic.twitter.com/loJjbndTrO

— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) December 25, 2019

For Pusha-T, Drake said the “situation just went where it went and there is no turning back,” adding “I sleep well at night knowing I didn’t get out-barred… It was just, you know, he told the world that the biggest artist at the time has a kid that he hasn’t told you about. I knew kind of, for me, it was over at that point. It wasn’t even about battle rap.”

And Drake blames Kanye for starting the beef. “That’s where all of this stems from,” Drake tells Rap Radar.

“It’s all rooted in that situation, yes. I think that he definitely recruited a guy with a similar dislike for me no matter what he says in interviews. I know that… There’s something there that bothers him deeply and yeah, I can’t fix it for him. It just is what it is. I could never ever ever ever turn my back on the things that I’ve said about him in a positive light, and I still feel all those same things,” Drake said.

Drake did say he respects Kayne’s musical talent. “He’s still my, obviously with the exception of Lil Wayne… and if I look at Hov as the guy who truly shaped the majority of my thinking, skill set, all those things, Kanye West would be my favorite artist all around. And that’s just facts. I have no problem saying that,” Drake said, before adding that “things have changed. I’m not just some kid that’s a fan anymore. Now we have personal situations, and like I said, a lot of his issues with me, I can’t fix them for him.”

You can watch the full interview here.

The post Drake has ‘no desire’ to end Pusha T and Kanye West feuds, discusses classics in ‘Rap Radar’ interview appeared first on theGrio.

from theGrio https://ift.tt/35YWBZ9
via

Jeffrey Grossman named head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Jeffrey Grossman, the Morton and Claire Goulder and Family Professor in Environmental Systems and a MacVicar Faculty fellow, has been appointed the new head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering effective Jan. 1, 2020.

Grossman received his PhD in theoretical physics from the University of Illinois and performed postdoctoral work at the University of California at Berkeley. He was a Lawrence Fellow at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and returned to Berkeley as director of a Nanoscience Center and head of the Computational Nanoscience research group, with a focus on energy applications. In fall 2009, he joined MIT, where he has developed a research program known for its contributions to energy conversion, energy storage, membranes, and clean-water technologies.

Grossman’s passion for teaching and outstanding contributions to education are evident through courses such as 3.091 (Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry) — within which Grossman applies MIT’s “mens-et-manus” (mind-and-hand) learning philosophy. He uses “goodie bags” containing tools and materials that he covers in his lectures, encouraging hands-on learning and challenging students to ask big questions, take chances, and collaborate with one another.

In recognition of his contributions to engineering education, Grossman was named an MIT MacVicar Faculty Fellow and received the Bose Award for Excellence in Teaching, in addition to being named a fellow of the American Physical Society. He has published more than 200 scientific papers, holds 17 current or pending U.S. patents, and recently co-founded a company, Via Separations, to commercialize graphene-oxide membranes.

“Professor Grossman has done remarkable work in materials science and engineering, in particular energy conversion, energy storage, and clean-water technologies,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the MIT School of Engineering and the Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “He has demonstrated exceptional commitment and vision as an educator. I am thrilled that he will be serving as the new head of our materials science and engineering department, and know he will be a tremendous leader.”

from MIT News https://ift.tt/360K4US
via

80-Year-Old graduate Donzella Washington makes history at Alabama A&M University

Donzella Washington graduated magna cum laude from Alabama A&M University and made history as the oldest graduate in the school’s 144-year history.

Washington, 80, had dreamed of finishing up college for decades. On Dec. 6, she did so in high fashion, earning a 4.0 GPA her last semester with a bachelor’s degree in social work, according to Good Morning America.

“I want to inspire and motivate others that age is not a barrier,” Washington said to Good Morning America. “And I want to emphasize the life between the dash.”

READ MORE UA’s civil rights titan Autherine Lucy Foster to receive honorary doctorate

Originally from Los Angeles, Washington and her husband, Jeff, lived on a farm in Pixley, California and fostered 30 children over the years, which included six siblings that Washington didn’t want to see torn apart.

Washington said her husband of nearly 50 years always encouraged her to go back to school because he knew earning a degree was one of her top goals. She told ABC News that she dedicates her degree to her husband. “I wanted to finish in his honor.”

“My father was my mother’s No. 1 fan. He supported everything she did, especially returning to school,” their daughter, Kimberly Washington, told Good Morning America. “Although my father did not have a traditional college education, he knew the value of gaining one.”

“I have seen her work tirelessly to achieve this dream and to finally be there to see her was a very proud moment,” Kimberly Washington added.

READ MORE Photo goes viral of young Black kids praying before the first day of school

Washington moved to Montgomery, Alabama, with her daughter in 2012, following the deaths of her mom, sister and husband, who all died in a three-year timeframe from 2010.

Kimberly said she had to step in to encourage and push her mom through times of intense grief over her dad’s death.

“The most challenging part has been consoling her when she was missing my father most … those moments when she cries and all I can do is hold her and love on her,” Kimberly said.

But Donzella Washington did it and now says she may return to college to earn a master’s degree.

The post 80-Year-Old graduate Donzella Washington makes history at Alabama A&M University appeared first on theGrio.

from theGrio https://ift.tt/2QjBudr
via

Colin Kaepernick’s Nike Air Force 1 Sells Out Immediately

That was quick! According to CBS News, the Colin Kaepernick and Nike Air Force 1 collaboration, “True to 7” has sold out minutes after debuting Monday.

As described on the Nike site, “The newest iteration, the Nike Air Force 1 x Colin Kaepernick is inspired by the voice of the athlete and his True to 7 storytelling. The luxe black leather upper is accented by a reflective swoosh and other high-touch accents in white and black. The shoe also incorporates a series of graphics including a portrait of Kaepernick embroidered on the heel tab, his personal logo on the tongue, a patterned sock liner and a number seven hangtag.” And directly under the description is an unclickable button saying simply “sold out.”

“This Air Force 1 season, Nike partnered with a collective of collaborators to design an AF1 that connects to their life personally. Colin was identified because we believe his voice and perspective inspire many generations on and off the field,” Nike said in a statement to CBS News.

On the sole of the sold-out sneakers is a subliminal message with the date “08 14 16” on the sole of the right shoe which signifies the first date Kaepernick didn’t stand during the playing of the national anthem. This significant moment started his protest against racial injustice as he started taking a knee officially during the national anthem on Sept. 1, 2016.

The Nike/Kaepernick collaboration helped Nike and the ad agency that created the ad win an Emmy for outstanding commercial at the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. The commercial, titled “Dream Crazy,” features Kaepernick alluding to the sacrifice he made by initiating the #TakeAKnee movement, which ultimately cost him his career in professional football. “Believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything,” he says in the ad. 

Kaepernick, who played in Super Bowl XLVII for the San Francisco 49ers in 2013, lost his job in 2016 after taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial injustice in America. The act sparked the controversial #TakeAKnee movement. Although the NFL said that it is not colluding on keeping Kaepernick from getting signed, he sued the league and eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount last year. He still remains a free agent.

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2ZssAOJ
via

Chemistry bonds “quirky” researchers in hard-working Surendranath lab

When Sneaky the Lizard received his PhD in chemistry from MIT, an enthusiastic team of researchers in the lab of Yogesh “Yogi” Surendranath was there to celebrate. Although Sneaky is just a fictional, photoshopped character, he’s an important part of the lab culture, and his “graduation” was akin to a family milestone.

“Sneaky the Lizard graduated in 2018, despite never showing up to work,” says Surendranath, the Paul M. Cook Career Development Associate Professor of Chemistry, while proudly showing off a lab photo with Sneaky up-front and center. “My group is so weird, but I love them so much.”

The Surendranath lab is a tight-knit group that enjoys a lot of inside jokes — about mangoes and coconuts, as well as imaginary lizards. But it’s also about groundbreaking work in electrochemistry that is opening up new paths to a low-carbon future.

Those who work in the lab say the two are related.

“At the end of the day, we work on really, really hard problems, and in order to work in that environment and stay sane, you need a culture that’s supportive and makes it fun and exciting and interesting,” says Surendranath, who this summer received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the highest honor the U.S. government gives to outstanding scientists and engineers beginning independent careers.

“We’re one community wherever we are, and we all take pleasure in solving these problems at the electrochemical interfaces,” says postdoc Marcel Schreier. “This allows us to be a little bit ahead sometimes. We ask more questions and try and try and try to answer them.”

All of the work in the Surendranath lab centers on using electricity to rearrange chemical bonds — fundamental scientific research with a host of possible applications. A key focus is finding ways to make carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major greenhouse gas, useful — research central to addressing climate change. Surendranath, who serves as the associate director of the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Center, one of the Low-Carbon Energy Centers run by the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), says, “Our whole group works on the grand challenges MITEI undertakes on the low-carbon future of energy.”

A wealth of applications

Already, the Surendranath group has made major advances in the design of catalysts for converting CO₂ into carbon monoxide — work that holds promise for one day using renewable energy to turn CO₂ emissions into high-quality fuels. The lab has also developed a new graphite-based catalyst that could potentially replace expensive and rare metals in fuel cells.

“Our work is so fundamental, there isn’t a specific application we’re targeting. Batteries, fuel cells, any electrochemical transduction technology is going to have an interfacial question that we’re hoping to address,” says postdoc Michael Pegis.

Interestingly, the 18 members of the lab tackle many different kinds of questions within the broad spectrum of electrochemical research. While Pegis works on how electric fields influence the rate of bond-breaking and bond-forming reactions in oxygen reduction reactions — work that could improve fuel cells, for example — Jonathan “Jo” Melville, a PhD candidate and Tata Fellow, is researching nitrogen fixation for fertilizers in an effort to find a less energy-intensive way to produce food.

“Nitrogen is key for feeding billions around the world,” Melville says, noting that without nitrogen-rich fertilizers, there would not be enough arable land on earth to feed the population. Since the current system of production uses fossil fuels, generating roughly 2 percent of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions, Melville is hoping to develop a sustainable alternative process. “I went into chemistry because I really care about solving the energy crisis,” he says.

Schreier’s work takes on the challenge of reaching a low-carbon future from another angle. He focuses on the catalytic capabilities of copper in the hope of finding new ways to store energy chemically — work broadly applicable to the challenge of improving the storage of energy generated by such intermittent sources as solar and wind.

PhD candidate Soyoung Kim, meanwhile, works to make useful chemicals from natural gas using metal-ion catalysts driven by electricity — a method she says could make it possible to sustain the reaction with energy from renewable sources.

For lab members — including specialists in inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and electrochemistry — the wide variety of work taking place in the lab expands the opportunities for useful collaboration. “There’s so much knowledge in so many fields, I’ve been able to learn about new things — like computational chemistry from a postdoc who sits behind me,” Pegis says.

Surendranath deliberately fosters this synergy through regular team meetings as well as off-site activities such as hiking trips and retreats. “I think of science as a gift economy,” he says — with each researcher giving the gift of time and skills to other lab members in full expectation that similar gifts will be returned.

“We help each other all the time, informally,” Schreier says. “If someone has a problem, they will start drawing on the white board, and everyone will chime in and offer solutions.”

This esprit de corps carries through to everyday lab chores. There is no lab manager in the Surendranath lab; responsibilities are shared by the team, with individuals taking on such jobs as overseeing safety procedures, caring for particular instruments, ordering solvents, and organizing cleanups. Recently, the group worked in shifts to bar-code 35,000 chemicals. “In some cases, a lab manager can be useful, but it can be good to get together to make sure the lab is a cleaner and safer place,” Pegis says.

“We have lab tasks,” Schreier explains. “This works quite smoothly.”

Lab members also make their own hours and work out disputes among themselves. “I give my students enormous freedom,” says Surendranath, who was recently awarded the Nobel Laureate Signature Award for Graduate Education in Chemistry from the American Chemical Society, together with his graduate student Anna Wuttig PhD ’18. (Wuttig is now a postdoc at the University of California at Berkeley.) “All I care about is that they care about the science and do great work,” says Surendranath.

Mangoes, kites, and coconuts

With so much independent thinking, it’s perhaps not surprising that the word “quirky” comes up a lot when members are asked about the lab.

“Yogi is very supportive and approachable as a boss, while super-energetic and engaging when it comes to discussing science. That has attracted many hard-working and sometimes quirky people to the lab,” Kim says.

“It’s definitely a very quirky group of people,” Pegis agrees.

Indeed, the description applies even to Surendranath himself, who is crazy for mangoes, fascinated by tumbleweeds, and passionate about kite-flying. Perhaps that’s why he built a team that supports each member — quirks and all.

Schreier tells a story to illustrate. The lab was on a hike together in the White Mountains and running behind schedule because Surendranath needed to bring a coconut with him — a lab tradition with somewhat obscure origins — and he had had trouble finding one. So, once the team reached the peak, everyone was eager to head back — except Schreier. He had spotted a radio tower (a passion of his) and could not resist dashing off for a closer look, delaying everyone.

When he got back, “the whole group, with Yogi in the center, was waiting for me very patiently. It seemed to them the most normal thing that I would need to check out this transmitting tower,” he says. The experience really warmed Schreier’s heart and is one reason the team is so special to him. “It’s the way the group works. Everyone’s interests are taken seriously.”

Melville agrees, saying this depth of support has made it easier for him to cope with the pressures of grad school and noting that it all comes from the top. “Yogi sets the gold standard for proactive and ethical mentorship,” he says. “We love him.”

The feeling is mutual. “I love my people,” Surendranath says. “It is a true joy to interact with enthusiastic, like-minded, passionate people every day and engage with them on really stimulating problems … I think the culture day-to-day is more rewarding than the science, because you have an impact on people’s lives: how they mature.”

from MIT News https://ift.tt/2tT4RvC
via

The 24 Absolute Best Movies of the 2010s

From the cloistered college campus of 'The Social Network' to the sands of 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' these are the movies that defined the decade.

from Wired https://ift.tt/35YtEMJ
via

Nintendo Switch Lite Tips: 11 Ways to Get the Most Out of It

Here are a few tips, games, recommendations, and accessories to get you and your Switch Lite all set up and ready to go.

from Wired https://ift.tt/2SrjrET
via

19 Black Enterprise Stories that Shaped Black Culture in 2019

Every day, countless people come to BLACK ENTERPRISE expecting the best in black business, entrepreneurship, lifestyle, and so much more. For that, we are forever grateful. This year, we’ve published some of the most profound features and breaking news stories. And in the spirit of uplifting underrepresented leaders, we have introduced you to those who have next.

Take a look at some of the top stories published this year:

1. HOW I LANDED MY FIRST TEDX TALK AND HOW YOU CAN TOO

Here are a few strategies you can use to share your ideas and land a coveted TEDx talk on stage. It’s not a far-fetched dream.

Jeff Shuford’s TEDx Talk

2. BOTS IN BLACKFACE – THE RISE OF FAKE BLACK PEOPLE ON SOCIAL MEDIA PROMOTING POLITICAL AGENDAS

The rise of bots in the guise of fake black people on social media remains a worrisome issue heading into the 2020 elections.

(Flickr)

3. R&B LEGEND EDDIE LEVERT SCOLDS BLACK FOLKS OVER POPEYES CHICKEN SANDWICH

Eddie Levert, the lead singer of The O’Jays, didn’t mince his words about the ongoing Popeyes crispy chicken sandwich craze during his acceptance speech at BLACK ENTERPRISE’s Black Men XCEL, an annual four-day summit that recognizes and empowers men of color. The legendary soul singer gave a harsh critique of the chicken-lovers standing in notoriously long lines for a bite of the wildly popular sandwich.

Eddie Levert, Sr. at the 2019 Black Men XCEL summit (Black Enterprise)

4. 3 CRITICAL QUESTIONS TO ASK BEFORE YOU REPURPOSE CONTENT IN YOUR CONTENT MARKETING STRATEGY

Ask content marketing thought leaders and they’ll likely all agree you should repurpose your content to increase your business’s ROI. It makes smart business sense to wring as much value as possible out of brand assets your company has already created.

Image by rawpixel from Pixabay

5. 27 THINGS WHITE PEOPLE SHOULD NEVER, EVER SAY TO THEIR BLACK CO-WORKERS

We asked our audience to post across Black Enterprise’s social media accounts things white people should never say to their black co-workers. We were flooded with some great suggestions. The below list contains the most repeated offenses our audience cited and our favorites.

(Image: iStock/drbimages)

6. GEORGE CLEVELAND: CHANNELING FAITH AND FAMILY VALUES INTO PURPOSE-DRIVEN LEADERSHIP

With a foundation of faith and family values, George Cleveland strives to be the best version of himself as a husband, father, and telecommunications exec.

George Cleveland

7. BUSINESS PLAN DO’S AND DON’TS

Your business plan is the step between pitching to and pinning down investors. Entire TV shows have been dedicated to the art of the pitch, but your business plan is the make-or-break that acts as the cherry on top for investors. Not only that, but a solid business plan can hone your idea and start you off on your entrepreneurial journey the right way. Whether you’ve written your pitch or are overcoming the writer’s block that can waste valuable time, here’s the good and the bad.

(iStock.com/julief514)

8. 6 ESSENTIAL RULES FOR FINDING YOUR NEXT BUSINESS PARTNER

Finding the right business partner is the work equivalent of getting married; the partnership of compatible individuals lays a foundation for a superb business or strengthens an already operating business. These six rules provide firm criteria and a solid basis for building a long-lasting and profitable partnership.

(Image: iStock/fizkes)

9. CALL THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP BY ITS NAME

A gap is an empty space. A break between two things. We don’t fear gaps. We mind gaps. And this is the difficulty in speaking about the racial wealth gap.

(iStock/Milkos)

10. EZEKIEL ELLIOTT SIGNS $90M CONTRACT, IMMEDIATELY DONATES $100K

Ezekiel Elliott signs $90M contract with the Dallas Cowboys making him the highest-paid NFL player in his position; donates $100K to the Salvation Army

Ezekiel Elliott (Image: Dallas Cowboys)

11. 5 WAYS TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT RECESSION

The signs are pointing to an economic recession. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and trade war with China, including his Twitter tantrums, are disrupting an already tumultuous roller-coaster ride of the U.S. and global stock markets and economies. Some financial analysts think the U.S. economy will continue its path of increased consumer spending and economic growth. However, other financial experts believe a recession is inevitable within the next 12 to 18 months.

(Image: iStock.com/nandyphotos)

12. 4 IMPORTANT POINTS BLACK ENTREPRENEURS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SUCCESS

There are a lot of definitions of success. Black entrepreneurs, in particular, need to define it for themselves. It’s part of the experience of entrepreneurship—since you’re the boss you also decide what counts as succeeding. Unfortunately, defining success is difficult. There are a number of things you should know about success that will help you figure out what it means to you.

(iStock/UberImages)

13. LOOKING BACK AT THE HISTORY OF AMERICA’S BLACK BANKS, EVEN AS THEY STRIVE FOR VITALITY

In their prime, black banks across the country were a financial shelter for their customers. Today, however, the number of black-owned banks is collapsing. That’s causing some observers to question if the banks’ days as economic engines helping underserved and distressed urban communities overcome issues like discrimination and redlining are numbered.

Let Us Put Our Money Together: The Founding of America’s First Black Banks (Image: Kansas City Fed)

14. 4 REASONS TO PURSUE A SIDE HUSTLE WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG

For the young, the value of a side hustle goes far beyond the extra cash, although a few additional dollars certainly does not hurt. Whether you are fresh out of college or still in high school, here are four significant benefits of a side hustle.

(iStock/adamkaz)

15. SUCCESSFUL REAL ESTATE INVESTOR MARK WHITTEN IS BUILDING WEALTH AND COMMUNITY

When first meeting Mark Whitten, you probably wouldn’t suspect that he’s a successful real estate investor from Baltimore, but that’s why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Over the last 10 years, the Morgan State University graduate has accumulated an impressive real estate portfolio through wholesaling deals and buying and holding properties.

Mark Whitten [Instagram.com/markflipshouses]

16. WHEN A RELATIVE DIES AND YOU CAN’T AFFORD THE FUNERAL

The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000- $7,000 in 2019. For many grieving families, paying thousands of dollars to bury a relative just isn’t economically feasible. When a relative dies and you can’t afford the funeral because funeral costs are out of your budget, here’s what you need to do.

(Image: iStock/RichLegg)

17. MEET THE REAL ESTATE INVESTOR WHO OWNS 18 PROPERTIES AT 26-YEARS-OLD

Homeownership is a secure way to build wealth. For many Americans, homeownership is an instrumental way of creating generational wealth for their families. For Jamisa McIvor-Bennett, founder and CEO of Rosebud’s Investments, her introduction to ownership began with a conversation with her grandmother, which ultimately led her to become a real estate investor at the age of 19.

Jamisa Mclvor-Bennett, CEO of Rosebud’s Investments (Image: Instagram)

18. WILL SMITH INVESTS IN APP THAT HELPS TEENS WITH FINANCIAL LITERACY

Will Smith became an investor in Step, a mobile-based banking service app for teenagers, through his Dreamers fund. Step allows teens to easily send and receive money from their family and friends, get real-time notifications, and they don’t have to deal with the monthly or overdraft fees and no minimum balance that traditional banking customers incur.

Will Smith (Image: World’s Big Sleep Out)

19. JOHN LEGEND IS CREATING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS

John Legend wants to make sure people with criminal backgrounds are given more opportunities for employment.

John Legend and Marcus Bullock, Founder, and CEO of Flikshop (Photo: courtesy of Unlocked Futures)

 

For the best in black business and entrepreneurship be sure to follow BE.

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/3612G7w
via

When the Transportation Revolution Hit the Real World

Ten years ago, they promised us self-driving cars. We got a scooter surge, clashes with regulators, and the brutal realities of mobility.

from Wired https://ift.tt/353p7aU
via

The Decade Big-Money Email Scams Took Over

In the last few years, the "Nigerian prince" scams have gotten a major upgrade.

from Wired https://ift.tt/2Qo9dT5
via

Everything and Nothing Is a Tech Company Now

Money and mania fueled a mad scramble for firms to claim the coveted t-word this decade.

from Wired https://ift.tt/2ZrewFy
via

via

Scholarships help build an exceptional student body

Senior Emily Soice, a talented violinist, has thrived at MIT, pursuing a dual major in civil and environmental engineering and music. “MIT has an amazing music program,” she says. “You really get a rigorous conservatory experience here.” A member of two performance ensembles, she enjoys connecting with others on campus through their shared love of music. 

In her engineering studies, Soice is focused on the issue of sustainable agriculture. “The wealth of research opportunities at MIT is astounding,” she says. “I’m able to contribute to that research during my undergraduate years.”

A scholarship to MIT made it possible for Soice to pursue her passions and seek out solutions to pressing global challenges. “When I got into MIT,” she recalls, “my family had been unemployed for more than a year. It wouldn’t have been possible for me to go to MIT if I didn’t have a scholarship.”

As one of only five universities in the United States with need-blind admissions for all students, both U.S. and international, MIT is committed to meeting the full financial need of every accepted student without requiring them to take out loans, according to Stuart Schmill ’86, dean of admissions and student financial services. “Scholarships allow us to attract the best students from around the world, regardless of their financial or geographic background,” he says. 

This past fiscal year, nearly 5,000 alumni and friends around the country and the world contributed $38 million toward undergraduate financial aid — a record amount for the Institute. Gifts for scholarships ensure that MIT can continue to uphold its commitment to need-blind admissions. A priority of the MIT Campaign for a Better World — launched in 2016 to drive the Institute’s work on some of humanity’s biggest challenges — undergraduate student aid continues to have significant needs.

Fundraising for scholarships helps MIT continue to bring the most-promising students to campus regardless of income level. In academic year 2018-19, MIT provided need-based financial aid awards to 59 percent of undergraduate students, with a median scholarship of approximately $53,000, the equivalent of MIT’s 2019-20 undergraduate tuition. 

Both Soice and Schmill point out that financial aid does more than attract students to MIT. “It also helps them succeed once they’re here,” explains Schmill. “If students are stressed about finances, it’s going to affect their educational choices and their ability to participate fully in the life of the Institute.” 

“There is so much open to you once you get into MIT,” says Soice. “It’s an amazing place to explore, and having a scholarship has allowed me to explore so much.” After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school, then work for a nonprofit focused on solving problems in agriculture or food systems. 

Scholarships, according to Schmill, help create “a robustly talented and diverse class in order to enhance the living and learning environment, and therefore the educational outcomes, for all our students. Every scholarship introduces a new mind into the MIT community, and simultaneously enriches the life of the recipient and the campus.”

Emily Soice agrees. “Without a scholarship,” she says, “I wouldn’t be here.” 

from MIT News https://ift.tt/2ru1PNB
via

British troops move black rhinos to Malawi

The animals were moved from a South Africa park in the hope they would be protected from poachers.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/2sbf8Tz
via

Five inspiring stories of dedication and change in Africa from 2019

We revisit the tales of the dedicated teacher, student, lawyer, choir and activist in Africa.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/39bVcR0
via

Jussie Smollett surprises kids in Flint with holiday toy drive, donations

Jussie Smollett took holiday cheer to Flint, Mich., and donated money to kids programs, while also organizing a backpack and toy drive for Christmas.

The visit by Smollett to Flint was a surprise and was done in coordination with youth and environmental activist, Mari Copeny, aka Little Miss Flint. The duo surprised a school with the new toys and backpacks.

READ MORE: Marshawn Lynch spreads Christmas cheer after Seahawks return

In addition to the toy drive, Smollett donated $10,000 to the Flint KIDS program, according to TMZ.

Jussie Smollett Donates $10k to Flint Kids Program https://t.co/XI8oidwJ0p

— TMZ (@TMZ) December 24, 2019

Last year, Smollett donated $125,000 to charities before the holidays, which included Flint KIDS and the Black AIDS Institute.

Parents of the children who recipients to the toys and backpacks from Smollett state the actor was in “great spirits” and made sure to provide to the children a feeling of a complete Christmas.

Smollett is currently counter suing the City of Chicago for malicious prosecution in regard to the attack he allegedly endured back in January.  The Chicago Sun-Times reports lawyers representing the city and the police officers named in the suit are asking for a judge to throw out Smollett’s lawsuit because he could face more criminal charges for what is believed to be a fake hate crime.

The countersuit from Smollett stated the 16-count criminal indictment causes economic harm to the actor along with inflicting “humiliation, mental anguish and extreme emotional distress.”

READ MORE: President Obama’s tweet prompts ‘Merry Christmas, Mr. President’ to trend on Twitter

“Smollett’s criminal proceeding is thus not over — an investigation into his potential crimes is ongoing and criminal charges may well be re-instituted,” the city’s lawyers wrote. “For this reason alone, Smollett’s malicious prosecution claim fails.”

Attorney Dan Webb has been named the special prosecutor for Smollett’s case but will also be investigating Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx for her decision to drop all charges against the Empire star. Foxx has admitted to mishandling the case, stating “Truth is, I didn’t handle it well.”

The post Jussie Smollett surprises kids in Flint with holiday toy drive, donations appeared first on theGrio.

from theGrio https://ift.tt/3767V5Q
via