Fifth Third Bancorp has appointed Linda W. Clement-Holmes as an independent director effectively immediately, according to a press release.
“We are delighted to welcome Linda Clement-Holmes to our Board,” Greg D. Carmichael, chairman, president and CEO of Fifth Third Bancorp, stated. “As the former chief information officer for The Procter & Gamble Company, one of the world’s leading and most innovative consumer products companies, Linda is uniquely positioned to help us advance in the rapidly evolving technological landscape and embrace the opportunities for consumer-oriented financial services. We also welcome her leadership in diversity and inclusion, which will enhance Board oversight of this important area.”
Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp is a diversified financial services company and the indirect parent company of Fifth Third Bank. One of the nation’s largest banks, Fifth Third had $185 billion in assets and operated 1,123 full-service branches as of March 30.
Clement-Holmes retired from Procter & Gamble in 2018 after a 35-year career that culminated in the role of chief information officer. She is widely recognized as a leader in information technology, information security, and digital and IT strategy. She has been listed in Computerworld’s Premier 100 IT Leaders and Uptown Professional’s Top 100 Executives.
She is a member of the B.E. Registry of Corporate Directors, an annual listing of African Americans who serve on the board of directors of S&P 500 companies. She is a fellow at the IT Senior Management Forum and the recipient of many awards, including the Howard University Global Visionary Leadership Award.
Further, Clement-Holmes has been a pioneer in diversity and inclusion. She served as Procter & Gamble’s first chief diversity officer from 2010-2012 and advanced to become the first African American woman named to Procter & Gamble’s Global Leadership Council.
Clement-Holmes also serves on the boards of Cincinnati Financial Corp., where she is a member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating committees; and CincyTech L.L.C., a seed fund that provides advice and capital to digital and life science companies.
“I am very pleased to join the Fifth Third Board,” Clement-Holmes stated. “Fifth Third is recognized as a digital innovator and is on record in its commitment to be part of the solution on racial equity. I’m excited about the opportunity to help lead the Bank boldly into its next chapter.”
Clement-Holmes will serve on the Technology Committee.
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Video of BLM demonstrator being stabbed with an American flag at the rally goes viral
A violent clash broke out in Colorado during a pro-police rally. Black Lives Matter protesters had held a rally earlier in the day at Colorado State University after which they traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado to participate in an anti-protest.
The “Back the Blue” rally was held outside of the Fort Collins police services station where attendees were draped in American flags and carrying Trump 2020 signs.
In a video, “Back the Blue” supporters are seen beating counter-protesters, who they claim attacked a veteran in a wheelchair. That alleged attack was not captured on video.
“Everybody keep your hands off your weapons,” a voice is heard saying, “Keep punching each other in the face, just don’t shoot anybody.”
I’m assuming that antifa started the whole thing? Fort Collins, Colorado? How dumb do you have to b to go start shit at a Back the Blue rally? @MrAndyNgo I have nothing but respect for you and I keep you in my prayers! Keep on trucking! https://t.co/IUmkuPPJZV
Another video shows one of the “Back the Blue” rally attendees stabbing a BLM protester with an American flag.
We need to know who was the ‘#BacktheBlue’ member that stabbed the #BLM protester with an American Flag in a #Colorado ditch. He should be charged. Read More Here: Full Video: https://t.co/dzlcjsrZKJ
Despite the multiple people involved in the violent clash, only two people were arrested. Both individuals detained were Black Lives Matter supporters.
The event reportedly started peacefully.
According to The Rocky Mountain Collegian,Julius Philpot, a Colorado State University alumnus, and a frequent speaker at local Black Lives Matter rallies, said the altercations started when pro-police protesters crossed the street to have a conversation with a few counterprotesters.
“As soon as I approached, I see people that have come from the side of the street from the pro-cops, they are wanting to, I want to say, … surround maybe three or four individuals who are holding up these signs that say Black Lives Matter to have a conversation,” Philpot said.
Attendees report that a group dressed in all-black tactical gear then arrived with no clear affiliation, it is then that the brawl broke out.
Ciara Wilson, a local high school student, and organizer said that the group chased BLM protesters away from the police station into a grassy pit. “10 to 15 people just piled up on top of each other.” Wilson said, “Chokeholds, batons, punched in the face all of it, and there were no police.”
According to the report, the Fort Collins police department has “an active and ongoing investigation into these incidents.”
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The shift to working from home is leading to a heated debate between states over how to tax workers, and, in one instance, pitting New Hampshire against Massachusetts. CNBC's Robert Frank reports.
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You’re excited about your new business. You got your EIN Number and you are registered with your state. You are legit for real-FOR REAL! You have dreamed and fantasized of the day when you can hand in your two-week notice to your employer who never appreciated your talents anyway. And that day has finally come!
Despite your excitement, you log on to your website and see that no one has bought any of your products. Your phone isn’t ringing off the hook, and you realize that payment on your bills is approaching. You know that you have a great product, however, other than your family, no one knows about it.
So, what do you do? That’s when you begin to search for a public relations firm.
BLACK ENTERPRISE chatted with PR expert Lillie Mae, owner of the Glambitious PR Firm, who shared tips on what to do and what not to do when hiring a PR Firm:
Seek a firm that has represented other clients in your industry and ask about their most recent media placements from the last three months. Consider inquiring with some of your trusted colleagues for PR referrals, to ensure the firm has a great reputation and proven results. Everyone talks a good game, but where are the results?
Hire an established PR firm, I would suggest that foremost. However, if you do not have the budget, I’d recommend reading a few PR books to learn how to craft an effective media pitch and properly pitch a media outlet. Educate yourself as much as possible. You do not want to be taken advantage of due to a lack of knowledge.
In the meantime, book a professional photo shoot to make sure that you have quality photos and begin speaking about your business through various virtual events. Host an Instagram Live series to interview other esteemed professionals in your field and create a digital flyer that can be used to promote it. Participate in a co-author opportunity to cross-market your business with other entrepreneurs or co-host a webinar with an established platform. You can also advertise your business through email newsletters, Facebook groups, and the Instagram pages that cater to your demographic.
Scientists have been studying treatments for the disease for half a year. Lack of coordination and a broken system mean they still don’t know very much.
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Field Trip offers supervised, in-clinic drug experiences to treat some mental illnesses. But if you want to keep your social distance, an app to stand watch could be the next-best thing.
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Most of Linux distributions provide ISO files that are designed and built to run in Live Mode directly from a bootable media such as CD /DVD, Flash/USB cards or even directly from a Hard
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Vice President Mike Pence, who presided over the appointment, called Brown’s 98-0 vote “historic.”
“This is a very historic day for our nation, and I do not take this moment lightly,” Brown said. “Today is possible due to the perseverance of those who went before me, serving as an inspiration to me and so many others.”
Brown paid tribute to his predecessors, the Tuskegee Airmen, a unit of Black World War II pilots, including commander Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, a surviving member of the unit.
Brown was a fighter pilot with more than 3,000 flying hours with the F-16 Fighting Falcon, including 130 in combat, Milliary.com reported.
As head of the Air Forces Central Command, he led an air campaign against the Islamic State.
He most recently served as the commander of U.S. Pacific Air Forces, watching over more than 46,000 airmen operating out of Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam.
Honored to congratulate @usairforce General Charles Brown at his historic swearing in as the 22nd (and the 1st African American) Air Force Chief of Staff.
(And for the record, whether a General or an Admiral, a 😷 is a strong and Patriotic look!) 💪🏽🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/0DIpsARzgU
— U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) August 4, 2020
Brown also thanked Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James, the first Black four-star general, and Ed Dwight, America’s first Black test pilot who entered the Air Force training program.
“It is due to their trials and tribulations in breaking barriers that I can address you today as the Air Force chief of staff,” Brown said.
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Currently, Florida restaurants can remain open at 50 percent capacity.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order that enables restaurant employees who had previously tested positive for COVID-19, to resume working on site, without officially needing a negative test.
Originally, workers had the right to return to work only after obtaining two recent negative tests.
DeSantis new executive order. Covid infected restaurant employees no longer need a negative test to return to work. Just go back and tell them you're fine!
Do not go to restaurants, people. DeSantis just made them even more dangerous.#Florida#COVID19
DeSantis’ executive order, which only applies to restaurant workers, is contrary to the standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
DeSantis is in favor of giving restaurants the responsibility to “implement employee screening protocols pursuant to guidance.”
However, owners and managers should “actively encourage employees who are sick or have recently had a close contact with a person with COVID-19 to stay home.”
Currently, Florida restaurants can remain open at 50 percent capacity, provided that they are adhering to social distancing guidelines.
“We knew that [the test] could catch a dead virus for a decent amount of time. CDC said that could be up to 12 weeks, an infection can be 12 weeks old,” DeSantis said, according to The Miami Herald.
“Obviously, you’re no longer infectious. You don’t have the live virus. But it can pick up some of the dead virus in a PCR test. So, that obviously is not something that should keep someone out of work,” DeSantis said.
Ziyad Abdalla, a worker at the Ocean 10 restaurant, clears off a table and prepares to close the restaurant for the day as a curfew from 8pm to 6am is put in place on July 18, 2020 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Florida has more coronavirus cases than New York, which was once the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak.
The sudden surge in cases comes as DeSantis fails to implement strong preventative coronavirus mandates. In July, DeSantis refused to create a mask-wearing mandate and left such regulation up to local leaders.
DeSantis has also mandated the reopening of schools in August.
As theGrio previously reported on July 27, a meeting with more than 60 people, including DeSantis, took place at the Bonita Springs hotel. Five people then tested positive for the virus.
DeSantis told reporters last Tuesday that he was tested for COVID-19 “two days ago,” and the results were negative.
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The WSJ said a number of companies, including Apple, Google, and Facebook have expressed interest in TikTok.
TikTok and Twitter are in talks about the possibility of joining forces. A report from the Wall Street Journal says that the two popular social media platforms are having preliminary discussions.
Representatives from both Twitter and TikTok declined to comment, with TikTok’s, Josh Gartner, head of corporate communications saying, “we don’t comment on market rumors.”
The WSJ said a number of companies, including Apple, Google, and Facebook have expressed interest in the China-based app, but none have publicly announced their interest.
Microsoft, which is viewed as the front runner for a deal with TikTok, has been the only company to publicly acknowledge its interest in buying the video-based platform.
Vanessa Pappas, general manager of TikTok, said that the company, owned by ByteDance, has 100 million U.S. users and employs more than 1,000 people in the U.S.
She said it does not operate any servers in China, although its app shares code with Douyin, ByteDance’s sister video app for the Chinese market.
As reported by theGrio, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning TikTok from doing business in the U.S., unless the video-sharing app is purchased by a U.S. company.
Trump accused the app of threatening the natural security, foreign policy, and the economy of the United States. Trump gave a deadline of September 21, so there is not much time left for action.
TikTok is prepared to file a federal lawsuit as early as Tuesday in the U.S District court for the Southern District of California.
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Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said President Donald Trump‘s executive actions on Saturday signaled his intention to dismantle Social Security and Medicare if he’s re-elected.
During an MSNBC interview with “AM Joy” host Zerlina Maxwell, Clinton described Trump’s actions as a “stunt.”
Clinton said Trump hinted at ending the financial contributions that Americans make to fund crucial government programs like Social Security and Medicare.
RESOCIAL SECURITYTHREAT
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said President Donald Trump's executive actions Saturday made it very clear he intends on going after Social Security and Medicare if he's re-elected.
She called his proposal unconstitutional and said she doubted he had the authority to discontinue those programs and wondered if he had given much thought to how the process would even work.
“He’s bypassing Congress, trying to spend money he has no authority to direct, and it’s also meant to be a big diversion from the hard work Congress should be engaged in to provide the relief tens of millions of Americans need,” Clinton said.
She warned that if Americans were unlucky enough to have Trump as president again, he would hurt not only the elderly, but all Americans, including the younger generation that will one day have to rely on programs like Social Security and Medicare.
The 2016 Democratic presidential nominee expressed hope that Republicans can “find their patriotism and conscience” while trying to reach an agreement regarding a realistic stimulus relief package.
When asked her opinion about Presidential nominee Joe Biden’s possible VP pick, Clinton didn’t endorse anyone, nor did she admit to having a favorite among Biden’s likely top choices.
Characterizing Trump as “a wannabe authoritarian,” Clinton concluded the Sunday morning interview by reminding viewers that Americans have to do everything possible to defeat Donald Trump on November 3rd.
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You hear the words “quarantine” or “social distancing” and you immediately think of all the social things that you cannot do during this unprecedented time. As the pandemic continues to impact us all, Dine & Design hopes to offer an experience that reconnects us to happier times.
Dine & Design, an Atlanta-based paint and sip with a ’90s millennial twist, brings the full mobile experience to you. Specialty cocktails, a personal chef that provides a curated tapas menu, gifts, and more are all a part of this experience.
Co-owners and college friends Eryn Jackson and Allanah Vincent understood the challenges being faced starting their business during a pandemic but did not let that deter them from finding a way.
“Between contractor delays and landlords still wanting rent for business that could not service our customers, we had to think quick when it came to how we were still going to bring our new business, Dine & Design, to life,” says Jackson.
COVID-19 has taught the team the true meaning of pivot as they took their business model and made it a mobile service. “Our goal is to make each and every customer feel comfortable by following every safety protocol plus more,” declares Jackson.
She continues, “this is probably one of the safest things you can do without putting you or your loved ones at risk but still have a fun night and awesome experience.”
Dine & Design is all about the experience. Everything is provided for you to simply enjoy the eating, drinking, and painting. The all-inclusive packages also includes a venue to host the night if people may not feel comfortable having a bartender and instructor in their home.
“We provide different packages that cater to the customer and their guests’ needs,” enthuses Jackson. “One of our best selling packages is The All That package. This package includes instructor, art equipment, tables, chairs, cups, utensils, chafing dishes, bartender, food, music, and a great time.”
As many business continue to face the challenges that COVID-19 presents, they are forced to find new ways to interact with customers. Mobile businesses face even greater challenges, as their primary interactions are people facing. When asked what advice she would give to mobile businesses during the current pandemic Jackson says, “don’t give up, you will get through this” and “go to where your customers live. Utilize email, social media and find a good digital marketing company that can assist you in communicating your brand to consumers.”
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Health officials believe the actual number could be closer to 50 million, given testing limitations
ROME (AP) — With confirmed coronavirus cases in the U.S. hitting 5 million Sunday, by far the highest of any country, the failure of the most powerful nation in the world to contain the scourge has been met with astonishment and alarm in Europe.
Perhaps nowhere outside the U.S. is America’s bungled virus response viewed with more consternation than in Italy, which was ground zero of Europe’s epidemic. Italians were unprepared when the outbreak exploded in February, and the country still has one of the world’s highest official death tolls at 35,000.
But after a strict nationwide, 10-week lockdown, vigilant tracing of new clusters and general acceptance of mask mandates and social distancing, Italy has become a model of virus containment.
“Don’t they care about their health?” a mask-clad Patrizia Antonini asked about people in the United States as she walked with friends along the banks of Lake Bracciano, north of Rome. “They need to take our precautions. … They need a real lockdown.”
Much of the incredulity in Europe stems from the fact that America had the benefit of time, European experience and medical know-how to treat the virus that the continent itself didn’t have when the first COVID-19 patients started filling intensive care units.
Yet, more than four months into a sustained outbreak, the U.S. reached the 5 million mark, according to the running count kept by Johns Hopkins University. Health officials believe the actual number is perhaps 10 times higher, or closer to 50 million, given testing limitations and the fact that as many as 40% of all those who are infected have no symptoms.
In this July 14, 2020, file photo, people wait in line for coronavirus testing at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
“We Italians always saw America as a model,” said Massimo Franco, a columnist with daily Corriere della Sera. “But with this virus we’ve discovered a country that is very fragile, with bad infrastructure and a public health system that is nonexistent.”
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza hasn’t shied away from criticizing the U.S., officially condemning as “wrong” Washington’s decision to withhold funding from the World Health Organization and expressing amazement at President Donald Trump’s virus response.
After Trump finally donned a mask last month, Speranza told La7 television: “I’m not surprised by Trump’s behavior now; I’m profoundly surprised by his behavior before.”
With America’s world’s-highest death toll of more than 160,000, its politicized resistance to masks and its rising caseload, European nations have barred American tourists and visitors from other countries with growing cases from freely traveling to the bloc.
France and Germany are now imposing tests on arrival for travelers from “at risk” countries, the U.S. included.
“I am very well aware that this impinges on individual freedoms, but I believe that this is a justifiable intervention,” German Health Minister Jens Spahn said last week.
Mistakes were made in Europe, too, from delayed lockdowns to insufficient protections for nursing home elderly and critical shortages of tests and protective equipment for medical personnel.
The virus is still raging in some Balkan countries, and thousands of maskless protesters demanded an end to virus restrictions in Berlin earlier this month. Hard-hit Spain, France and Germany have seen infection rebounds with new cases topping 1,000 a day, and Italy’s cases inched up over 500 on Friday. Britain is still seeing an estimated 3,700 new infections daily, and some scientists say the country’s beloved pubs might have to close again if schools are to reopen in September without causing a new wave.
In this April 24, 2020, file photo, a man wears a mask to protect against the spread of the coronavirus as he walks along the Trocadero square close to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. (AP Photo/Michel Euler, File)
Europe as a whole has seen over 207,000 confirmed virus deaths, by Johns Hopkins’ count.
In the U.S., new cases are running at about 54,000 a day — an immensely high number even when taking into account the country’s larger population. And while that’s down from a peak of well over 70,000 last month, cases are rising in nearly 20 states, and deaths are climbing in most.
In contrast, at least for now Europe appears to have the virus somewhat under control.
“Had the medical professionals been allowed to operate in the States, you would have belatedly gotten to a point of getting to grips with this back in March,” said Scott Lucas, professor of international studies at the University of Birmingham, England. “But of course, the medical and public health professionals were not allowed to proceed unchecked,” he said, referring to Trump’s frequent undercutting of his own experts.
When the virus first appeared in the United States, Trump and his supporters quickly dismissed it as either a “hoax” or a virus that would quickly disappear once warmer weather arrived. At one point, Trump suggested that ultraviolet light or injecting disinfectants would eradicate the virus. (He later said he was being facetious).
Trump’s frequent complaints about Dr. Anthony Fauci have regularly made headlines in Europe, where the U.S. infectious-disease expert is a respected figure. Italy’s leading COVID-19 hospital offered Fauci a job if Trump fired him.
Trump has defended the U.S. response, blaming China, where the virus was first detected, for America’s problems and saying the U.S. numbers are so high because there is so much testing. Trump supporters and Americans who have refused to wear masks against all medical advice back that line.
“There’s no reason to fear any sickness that’s out there,” said Julia Ferjo, a mother of three in Alpine, Texas, who is “vehemently” against wearing a mask. Ferjo, 35, teaches fitness classes in a large gym with open doors. She doesn’t allow participants to wear masks.
“When you’re breathing that hard, I would pass out,” she said. “I do not want people just dropping like flies.”
And health officials watched with alarm as thousands of bikers gathered Friday in the small South Dakota city of Sturgis for an annual 10-day motorcycle rally. The state has no mask mandates, and many bikers expressed defiance of measures meant to prevent the virus’s spread.
Dr. David Ho, director of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, who is leading a team seeking treatments for COVID-19, decried such behavior, as well as the country’s handling of the virus.
“There’s no national strategy, no national leadership, and there’s no urging for the public to act in unison and carry out the measures together,” he said. “That’s what it takes, and we have completely abandoned that as a nation.”
When he gets on Zoom calls with counterparts from around the globe, “everyone cannot believe what they’re seeing in the U.S. and they cannot believe the words coming out of the leadership,” he said.
In this May 28, 2020, file photo, a woman passes a fence outside Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery adorned with tributes to victims of COVID-19 in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
Even the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has taken the unusual step of criticizing the U.S. when she urged Washington to reconsider its decision to break ties with the WHO. She also issued veiled criticism of U.S. efforts to buy up stocks of any vaccine that might prove effective, vowing the EU will work to provide access to everyone “irrespective of where they live.”
Many Europeans point proudly to their national health care systems that not only test but treat COVID-19 for free, unlike the American system, where the virus crisis has only exacerbated income and racial inequalities in obtaining health care.
“The coronavirus has brutally stripped bare the vulnerability of a country that has been sliding for years,” wrote Italian author Massimo Gaggi in his new book “Crack America” (Broken America), about U.S. problems that long predated COVID-19.
Gaggi said he started writing the book last year and thought then that the title would be taken as a provocative wake-up call. Then the virus hit.
“By March the title wasn’t a provocation any longer,” he said. “It was obvious.”
___
Pane reported from Boise, Idaho. AP reporters from around Europe contributed.
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‘Money and opportunity doesn’t outweigh the dissatisfaction I feel with this situation,’ David Whitely says
A Black radio host has resigned his post at BBC after the British public service broadcaster allowed a reporter to use a racial slur during a television news story.
David Whitely, who goes by DJ Sideman and appeared on the “BBC Radio 1Xtra” show, in a video posted to Instagram Saturday announced that he was quitting, effective immediately. The move comes in the wake of BBC journalist Fiona Lamdin‘s uttering the n-word during a July 29 broadcast of the long-running “Points West,” a regional news program in England.
According to Deadline, Lamdin, a BBC social affairs correspondent, was explaining a story on violent crime in which a health-care worker was struck by a vehicle.
“Just to warn you, you’re about to hear highly offensive language because as the men ran away they hurled racial abuse, calling him a ‘nigger,'” Lambdin said.
Twitter user @laurellah captured the broadcast of the story in cell phone video and shared it on the social platform, where it has picked up 8,500 retweets as of Sunday morning.
Whitely expressed that he understood that patience was required to see progress on racial equality, but this incident was a step too far:
“I understand transition. I understand it’s not something that’s going to happen overnight, that there will need to be a lot of learning and unlearning and tearing down of certain building blocks of our society that took a long time to build up. So I’m OK with process; I’m OK with waiting, within reason, for certain things to change,” he said.
“But the BBC sanctioning the n-word being said on national television by a white person is something I can’t rock with.”
“This is an error in judgment where I can’t just smile with you through the process and act like everything is OK,” Whitely said, adding that “this feels like more than getting it wrong.”
“The action, and the defense of the action, feels like a slap in the face of our community,” he continued. “With no apology, I just don’t feel comfortable being aligned with the organization” for “money and opportunity doesn’t outweigh the dissatisfaction I feel with this situation.”
Deadline reported that BBC received more than 18,600 complaints for airing the slur. The British radio outlet explained its rationalization in a statement.
The “decision to use the word was not taken lightly and without considerable detailed thought: we were aware that it would cause offense,” the organization said.
“In this specific context we felt the need to explain, and report, not just the injuries but, given their alleged extreme nature, the words alleged to have been used – a position which, as we have said, was supported by the family and the victim,” the BBC said.
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Media organizations lobbied for the release of body camera footage of officers involved in George Floyd’s death
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge ordered the release of body camera footage recorded by former officers charged in the death of George Floyd.
Judge Peter Cahill ruled Friday that videos from the body cameras of Thomas Lane and J. Kueng taken on the day Floyd died will be made publicly available, though it is unclear how or when the footage will be released.
The videos were filed with the court last month by Lane’s attorney. Initially, only transcripts of the audio were released, but a judge later allowed journalists and members of the public to view the footage by appointment. A British tabloid on Monday published parts of the videos.
The body camera videos and transcripts were filed in court by Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, as part of a motion to have Lane’s case dismissed. Attorneys for the coalition of media organizations, including The Associated Press, had asked the judge to allow them to be published.
Floyd, a Black man who was handcuffed, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Tou Thao, Lane and Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four officers were fired.
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‘At least Hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch. Oh wait,’ Zoë Kravitz says
Actress Zoë Kravitz had some words for Hulu after the streaming platform canceled her new TV series last week.
Hulu announced Wednesday that “High Fidelity,” an adaptation of Nick Hornby‘s novel “High Fidelity,” will not return for another season. Kravitz, who stars in the romantic-comedy show, isn’t thrilled that the company cut loose one of few shows on the platform that feature women of color in lead roles.
Kravitz, 31, called out the lack of representation on Hulu in an Instagram post later that day. She expressed thanks to fans and crew in the post and showed off pictures of the cast and behind the scenes before turning her ire to Hulu in the comments section.
“i (sic) wanna give a shout out to my #highfidelity family. thank you for all the love and heart you put into this show,” she wrote. “i’m in awe of all of you. and thank you to everyone who watched, loved and supported us.”
A post shared by Zoë Kravitz (@zoeisabellakravitz) on
When actress Tessa Thompson replied to the post, “I will miss you alllllllllllll so much,” Kravitz responded, “It’s cool,” before she added sarcastically, “At least Hulu has a ton of other shows starring women of color we can watch. Oh wait.”
Actresses Lena Waithe, creator of “The Chi,” and Reese Witherspoon, who stars in Hulu’s “Little Fires Everywhere” and is among the highest-paid actresses in the world, both dropped by the comments section to share their thoughts on “High Fidelity” getting the boot.
“NOOOOOOO!!! I rarely find shows that genuinely impress me. This one did. I told you how much I loved this show. And I still do. This one definitely deserved another season,” Waithe wrote.
“I’m so sad 🥺I loved this show !! The cast and the writing was 💯🌟,” Witherspoon said.
Kravitz has a right to question the streaming service’s diversity levels. According to Rotten Tomatoes, there were three original scripted comedies on Hulu that premiered in 2020. “High Fidelity” is the only one that did not get renewed. Neither of the other two, “The Great” and “Love, Victor,” features women of color in prominent roles.
“High Fidelity” follows a record store owner, played by Kravitz, in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to being based on the 1995 book of the same name, there was also a 2000 film adaptation, with John Cusack as the lead.
Thomas Doherty, Jake Lacy, David Holmes, Zoe Kravitz, Rainbow Sun Francks and Da’Vine Joy Randolph attend Hulu’s “High Fidelity” New York premiere at Metrograph on February 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
The 10-episode series premiered for streaming on Hulu on February 14, and received praise from both fans and critics. According to rating site Rotten Tomatoes, “High Fidelity” scored an 86% approval rating from critics and an 82% approval rating from fans.
Kravitz’s ties to the show go beyond just portraying the main character. In addition to executive producing the series and co-writing one of its episodes, it was somewhat a homage to her mother, actress Lisa Bonet, who starred in the 2000 film version.
“I’ve always been a fan of the book and the film regardless of the fact that she was in it,” Kravitz stated in an E! News interview. “But I think it’s a cool thing that she was a part of it. And it feels like a very cool, serendipitous, full-circle situation for sure.”
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When you have two decades of experience working in artist development, branding, and imaging and have held positions at labels such as Sony/BMG, EMI/Capitol, Arista, MCA, among others, you should know how to market products and be successful at it. Marketing executive Sheila Coates knows this and has moved forward with her company, Be Your Own Brand (BYOB). When the coronavirus pandemic hit, it gave her another opportunity to work her business prowess when she decided to launch the BYOB Drinking Mask.
BLACK ENTERPRISE was able to speak to Coates about her latest business venture and how she has been able to cope with the business climate since the coronavirus disrupted our lives.
You started BYOB (Be Your Own Brand) after working many years in the music industry. What led to the extension of BYOB into the mask space?
In short… COVID-19. My company is BYOB Unlimited, so I can have “unlimited’ products/businesses under that umbrella. The mask speaks to my mission and branding process. Our mission is to help projects, products, and people speak volumes without saying a word! The mask was developed using my own 3-step branding process (define, be it, and look it). So, the mask had to have a different look. It has a grommet hole, waterproof flap in the back of the hole, antibacterial fabric, adjustable ear straps, and a nose bridge so your glasses don’t fog up!
Being an entrepreneur, you typically have to be ahead of the curve. What gave you the idea of the drinking masks?
Life is about pivoting, pushing, and praying! When COVID-19 hit, I had to remind myself of that. I wanted to stay top of mind with my clients so they would think of me for my virtual BYOB sessions. I didn’t want to send a newsletter. I decided to stay true to my brand and do a unique mask so my clients could have social distance happy hours. After thinking about it, I realized everybody needs a mask that allows them to take a drink without taking off their mask.
How do you think the mask holds up against others on the market?
Naturally, I rank it high. It’s comfortable whether you’re drinking or not. I think masks are like shoes, most of us have many pairs. One day, you might want something more colorful or one with a message. Regardless, you want a mask that gives you comfort and options.
What was the process for creating the prototype for the drinking mask?
I put my thoughts on paper, hired someone to draw the mask. My attorney said I needed to immediately file a patent application. I reached out to an old friend who’s been designing and producing great clothes for years. He helped me get to the final product and producing it. A couple of iterations, then the final mask. Once I had an approved sample, we were off and running.
You originally created these masks for your clients. How has the response been with your clients?
Pretty amazing. I think that if only your family and friends buy it is it sustainable? I want them to like/want it but so should the masses. Then you know it’s a valid product. The mask is a pretty simple concept to grasp. The world is requiring masks so for companies, it’s a great opportunity to brand your business and show concern for your employees, clients, and community. Giving someone a mask now means you care about them.
We’ve all been affected by the coronavirus and now the protesting of police brutality against Blacks, how have recent events altered the way you do business?
When COVID-19 hit, there was no travel, no large face-to-face gatherings, and companies shut down. I had to pivot and figure out how to take my in-person, interactive sessions virtual. I hired a team, conducted focus groups with friends to test it, and (most importantly) prove to myself that I could do it while still being entertaining and educational.
What advice would you give those who’d like to start and have a successful business?
Have patience (something I’m definitely working on ) but at the same time go for it. Everyone might not get your idea but don’t stop if you believe in it. No football team is made of all quarterbacks. You need a team with different players on your team to be successful. I’m blessed with a supportive team (amazing Black entrepreneurs) who help bring my ideas to life. After that… Keep pivoting, pushing, and praying!!
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