Cut out the beeps and bloops and get some rest for a change.
from Wired https://ift.tt/36T7T24
via
Monday, November 11, 2019
Sunday, November 10, 2019
Alicia Keys goes to Instagram to affirm her son’s choice to paint his nails
Alicia Keys took to Instagram to voice her frustration over the labels and judgements that we give people that have impacted even her four-year-old son, Genesis.
READ MORE: NYC Socialite allegedly can say the ‘n-word’ since she’s Alicia Keys’ friend
“The other day I went to the nail salon with Genesis. He’s in the chair and he’s like I want rainbow. So he tells the lady that he wants rainbow colors on his nails,” Keys says in an IG video. “And she brings all of these colors and she paints each nail a different color and after he painted his nails he looked at me and says ‘mommy, I don’t want this on my nails.’ I said why, you were so sure you were good and he goes ‘people are not gonna like it.’”
“Can you believe this? Four years old. He’s four and he already understands the concept that someone is going to judge him because he chose rainbow colors on his nails,” Keys said.
“I told him why … it’s so cool … look how creative you are. You chose it. You liked it. You do it. Who cares what someone else says?” Keys said. Plus, she said she told baby boy “a lot of guys paint their nails. This is not some strange thing that you only do,” for which he replied: “Really? I said yeah! So many, so many. And that made him feel better.”
READ MORE: Alicia Keys set to release new memoir ‘More Myself’ this Autumn
The incident made Keys think about all the ways people judge others and she decided to post her thoughts on IG, which she called a rant, in protest of these judgements and labels.
“It got me thinking how completely judged we are all the time,” Keys said. “The way I see it is there is masculine and feminine energies inside us all. And that’s, period. That’s just how it is. And it gets concerning to me that we can’t explore these different sides of ourselves, these different energies that are within us.”
Keys goes on to explain how she often expresses the “masculine energy” that is inside of her. “That’s very natural to me and that’s how I feel,” she said.
When she does, Keys concedes, she has also faced the “judgements,” “stereotypes,” and “rules” and all of the “energy that comes with it.”
“It’s really frustrating to me,” Keys said. “Why can’t we just express the different energies that are inside of us? This is a very normal, ancient, powerful, spiritual understanding that we all have masculine and feminine energies and we should be able to explore and express them however we want to.”
Keys ends her discussion by asking viewers to weigh in with their thoughts.
Her hubby, Swizz Beats, did just that.
“He’s a young King and he can explore and express his creativity at anytime! We support it as his parents,” wrote @therealswizzz.
Singer Melanie Fiona also wanted Keys to know she agrees with what she said.
“This kid. This expression. This parenting. This thinking. THIS is the stuff that will change the world. For the better,” wrote @melaniefiona.
Celebrity fitness trainer Jeanette Jenkins commented, “I loved your feedback to him. So beautiful… “You picked it, keep it. You were so sure of yourself, you should stick to it”…this type of support is so valuable & builds confidence in decision making. I love your rant & agree 100%.”
The post Alicia Keys goes to Instagram to affirm her son’s choice to paint his nails appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/36R3X1v
via
BART riders protest the detainment of a Black man stopped for eating on train’s platform
About three dozen BART riders ate their lunch at Embarcadero Station on Saturday, in protest of police who arrested a man earlier in the week for eating on the platform.
The protesters were joined by Janice Li, member of the BART Board of Directors, who said she joined in because BART has bigger fish to fry than detaining riders for eating on train platforms, according to ABC 7 News. On Nov. 4, Steve Foster of Concord was handcuffed by BART police officers at the Pleasant Hill station because he ate a sandwich as he waited for his train, according to KTVU. The incident is being investigated.
READ MORE: Family of Nia Wilson files wrongful death lawsuit against BART Police
“I realize some things are illegal with our penal code, but I want to be mindful of how we’re using resources to enforce our system,” Li explained to ABC 7.
In a statement, BART said Foster was not arrested but was detained after he failed to give police his name. “He was not arrested… he was cited for eating which is a violation of state law. The man was lawfully handcuffed after refusing to provide his name multiple times, once he provided his name he was cited and released,” news outlets reported.
The incident, which was captured on video, angered BART riders who took to social media to voice their disdain – many questioning whether Foster would have been approached by the officer and detained had he been white instead of Black.
Foster himself told KTVU that he believes race played a role. The officer who stopped and questioned Foster is white.
A person videotaping the incident asked police where the sign was that said eating is prohibited on BART.
“Where is there a sign up here that says we can’t eat on the platform? We know we can’t eat on the train,” she inquired. Foster told the officer: “You don’t have no reason to f—k with me.”
“You’re eating,” the officer told Foster. “It’s against the law. “It’s a violation of California law. I have the right to detain you.”
The viral video was posted on Twitter by Marc Lamont Hill and plenty of people voiced their disgust at the police action.
The police stopped this man for eating a sandwich. How can anybody defend this? pic.twitter.com/98neUGB1vi
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) November 10, 2019
“I wonder how many white people this f— walked by eating before he decided to exert his bulls— power over a minority. Shameful s— man,” said J. Blanco @Jblanc0.
“Everyone should show up on BART on Monday eating a sandwich,” said Sean Drayton @seandrayton.
“So apparently every murder, rape, robbery & assault has been solved so California police have become sandwich patrol,” mused KD @Fly_Sistah.
READ MORE: “This was a HATE CRIME”: Oakland native Kehlani urges BART officials to find Nia Wilson’s murderer
An independent auditor who oversee the BART police force and the BART police chief will now review the video as part of their investigation.
The post BART riders protest the detainment of a Black man stopped for eating on train’s platform appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2K9QBnk
via
One month after Atatiana Jefferson was killed by police, her father has died
The father of a Fort Worth, Texas woman, who was shot dead by police as she played video games inside of her home with her nephew, has died.
Marquis Jefferson, the 59-year-old father of Atatiana Jefferson, went into cardiac arrest Friday night and was taken to a Dallas hospital where he died, family spokesman Bruce Carter told CNN. Atatiana was Marquis’ only child.
READ MORE: Cop that killed Atatiana Jefferson responded as if there was a burglary
“He ultimately just succumbed to, I don’t know, I can only say a broken heart,” Carter said, according to CNN. “He just never recovered from the grieving process.”
It was clear how much Atatiana Jefferson, whom Marquis called “Tay,” was loved just by the way her dad spoke of her during a press conference after her death.
Jefferson told reporters Tay, was “love.”
“And that smile? Lord have mercy,” he said last month, according to CNN. “It could brighten up any room.”
Early in the morning on Oct. 12, Jefferson, 28, was playing video games with her nephew when police arrived at her home. A concerned neighbor had called a non-emergency police number after he noticed his neighbor’s door was ajar.
Officers reportedly walked around the house but when Jefferson heard a noise in her backyard, CNN reports she pulled a gun from her purse and pointed it at the window, according to police.
Aaron Dean, a former Fort Worth officer, yelled “Put your hands up! Show me your hands!” before he fired through the window killing her, according to his body camera footage.
READ MORE: Fort Worth cop who killed Atatiana Jefferson details prior assault charge
Not once did Dean or the other officer identify that they were police. It is likely that Jefferson thought they were burglars.
Dean, who resigned from the police force shortly after the killing, has been charged with murder. Dean also has not yet given police investigators a statement on the incident, which is customary for officers in similar situations to do.
After the shooting, the neighbor who called police for a wellness check, told KTVT he felt awful for calling the police. “Had I not called the Fort Worth Police Department, my neighbor would still be alive today,” he said.
A week later, a Dallas County judge gave Marquis Jefferson a temporary restraining order which granted him full authority to make funeral and burial arrangements for his daughter, CNN reported. Carter told CNN that Jefferson had a good relationship with his daughter’s mother but sought the order so he could be included in the arrangements.
“He was battling to be a part of her life to the end,” Carter said, according to CNN. “I think it just got the best of him.”
READ MORE: Lee Merritt critiques DA in charge of Atatiana Jefferson case
Atatiana Jefferson graduated from Xavier University five years ago, earning a degree in biology. She had recently moved back home so she could care for her ailing mother.
The post One month after Atatiana Jefferson was killed by police, her father has died appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2rtKi7H
via
Hundreds rally in Texas with hopes to stop Rodney Reed’s execution
“Free Rodney Reed! Free Rodney Reed!”
That was the rallying cry that Texas Governor Greg Abbott heard up close and personal Saturday afternoon as hundreds of people took their fight to save him from a Nov. 20 execution to the governor’s mansion. The Statewide Rally was sponsored by Shaun King, a civil rights activist who launched a petition to save Reed from execution that has garnered over two million signatures, and Lee Merritt, a national civil rights attorney, according to KXAN.
READ MORE: Oprah Winfrey joins fight to save Rodney Reed’s life
A day earlier, exonerated former death row prisoners also joined in on the fight to save Reed’s life, by delivering a letter to Abbott asking that he stop the execution because of new evidence that could possibly prove Reed’s innocence. And police officers across the country are weighing in their support as well.
“I looked at the autopsy report and I said he didn’t kill this young lady,” Kevin Gannon, former NYPD Homicide Detective said, according to KXAN. “They said how do you know? I said well she’s been dead for 24 hours, but she’s been missing for 12.”
Reed, 51, was convicted and sentenced to die in 1998 for the rape and strangulation murder of 19-year-old Stacey Stites. He has always maintained his innocence. He is being represented by lawyers from The Innocence Project, who have argued that Reed was denied a full and fair trial and that new evidence could exonerate him.
READ MORE: Free Rodney Reed: Celebrities come to the aide of death row inmate headed for execution
Recently, multiple people have come forward implicating Stites’ ex-fiancé, Jimmy Fennell, in her death. Fennell was a former cop who pled guilty, and served time for kidnapping a woman while on duty. That woman claims he also raped her. Fennell was released from prison last year.
At yesterday’s rally, Merritt said the state needs to review this new evidence that was not at Reeds trial.
“We know that the belt that was used to kill Stacey Stites is available,” Merritt said. “It’s in evidence. It has not been tested.”
Merritt also pointed to expert testimony that was later recanted and said now there’s proof that Stites and Reed had a consensual sexual relationship – a claim that some of Stacey’s family members back.
“My aunt said to me was that Rodney would come … and visit her while she was at work,” Stacey’s cousin Heather Campbell Stobbs said.
Austin Mayor Steve Adler also is asking that the governor prevent a travesty of justice from taking place.
“There just seems to be a lot of doubt, and we shouldn’t be taking someone’s life – something that is irrevocable – and do that in a situation where there is so much doubt. I hope that the governor considers a reprieve,” Adler said, according to CBS Austin.
In October, Arthur J. Snow Jr., a former member of the Aryan Brotherhood, a white supremacist prison gang, gave a sworn affidavit that he personally heard Fennell confess to Stites’ murder while serving time in prison with him, according to The New York Times. He said Fennell bragged about killing his fiancée because she had cheated on him with a Black man. In the affidavit, Snow said he thought Fennell confessed to the killing to try and impress him and other gang members, whom he had sought out for protection.
READ MORE: Texas officer charged with Atatiana Jefferson’s murder, resigns after shooting
Also, Jim Clampit, a former sheriff’s deputy, alleges that at Stites’ funeral, Fennell looked at her body and said, “You got what you deserved,” according to The Times.
With all of this new evidence, we also would like to lend our voice to the fight and implore that Gov. Abbott stop the execution immediately.
The post Hundreds rally in Texas with hopes to stop Rodney Reed’s execution appeared first on theGrio.
from theGrio https://ift.tt/2pYKX0z
via
“Military Spouse of the Year” Talks Helping Others Become Successful Entrepreneurs
Being a Military spouse isn’t easy. Between dealing with frequent deployments, job changes and cross-country moves, you’re holding together the family on the home front and trying to keep your own identity. So about 6 years ago when Lakesha Cole, a Marine Corps spouse and mother of two, was faced with the family’s fifth deployment, she decided to create something she could take with her. Cole launched She Swank | Too, a curated shop for women and girls, with only $500. Today the She Swank | Too brand has grown through three deployments, traveled to customers in 50 states and four countries and is located in a brick and mortar pop-up shop in Okinawa, Japan. For Cole’s work as a military spouse turned entrepreneur, she was selected into the Military Entrepreneur Program by Inc. magazine, named 2014 Armed Forces Insurance Military Spouse of the Year by Military Spouse magazine, and featured on The Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda. Additionally, Cole serves as a volunteer advisor to the Military Spouse Business Association and serves on the board of the Military Spouse Behavioral Health Clinician.
[Related: 12 Ways to Support the Military and Veterans]
“It’s important to maintain your own identity,” said Cole. “Continue to nurture your skillset. Don’t give up on who you are. Remain flexible and open to change. Choose a winning attitude. Your attitude is what will ultimately determine your outlook on military life. There isn’t a manual on how to succeed as a military spouse. You have to define that for yourself. Familiarize yourself with the resources that are readily available and connect with the organizations that provide the support you are seeking. Go out of your way to make new friends. Volunteering is great way to make new friends when you first move to a base.”
Currently, as the founder of Milspousepreneur.com, an online hub designed to inform, inspire and celebrate military spouse entrepreneurs, Cole is dedicated to helping other military spouses turn their vision into reality. BlackEnterprise.com caught up with the trailblazer to learn more about her journey and a few tips for budding entrepreneurs.
BlackEnterprise.com: Why was it necessary to create Milspousepreneur?
Cole: Relocating my business to Okinawa, Japan was one of the hardest business decisions I’ve ever had to make. Moving my store, She Swank | Too, to another country was never part of the plan. Business as I knew it no longer existed. I had to learn how to operate within unfavorable on-base regulations, Japan business laws, Customs procedures and adjusting to a completely different market with less disposable income. Not to mention the language barrier. There was no “how to†guide on how to successfully relocate my entire life, family and business overseas. The networking opportunities to connect and build enduring, mutually beneficial relationships didn’t exist. I quickly learned my local community lacked the resources needed to overcome these hurdles. I wanted to create a learn-by-doing environment that not only provided valuable tools on how to start a business but also celebrated entrepreneurial activity and provided opportunities for military spouses to implement what they’re learning through a series of live events. So I did.
Milspousepreneur started in July 2014 as a local Facebook group of military spouses aimed to foster an entrepreneurial culture in Okinawa, Japan, despite the heavy restrictions that come along with living overseas. We now serve as a free community resource for all military spouses stationed overseas who want to turn their ideas into a successful business within regulation and provide tools and opportunities to help make those ideas happen. Despite distance, we’re pursuing our dreams. Milspousepreneur provides unparalleled support for a community whose love of entrepreneurship is rivaled only by our love for spouse and country.
(Image: Lakesha Cole)
Why do you think there is a need for organizations to provide support services for military spouses?
Military spouses are resilient, educated, tenacious, highly skilled, resourceful, and very loyal. We are often perceived to be uneducated, unskilled workers who lack stability. Military spouses make the best employees and will provide a solid return on investment for any employer. Companies and organizations need to provide support services to ensure service members, veterans, and their families have the opportunities, resources, and support they have earned. There are no disadvantages of creating military-friendly workplaces.
Describe some of the challenges and benefits of being a military spouse?
There’s no question that the toughest part of being a military spouse is the uncertainty of deployments. The emotional cycle of deployment before, during and after war is draining. There’s a range of intense emotions and feelings–anger, fear, loneliness, sadness, overwhelmed helplessness–while taking care of the home front.
Frequent moves also tops my list, making it hard for military spouses to pursue a single career or accumulate the desired experience employer’s want. I was luckier than most. I was fortunate and strategic enough to develop my own career path and hold a variety of mid-level positions, even through five relocations.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a military spouse?
My biggest challenge was maintaining my own identity. Don’t let your title as a military spouse become your entire identity. It’s only part of who you are, not the totality. It’s very easy to give up your hobbies, career, and old friends. Don’t. I overcame this by continuing to nurture the parts of me that I think make me a better person. I’m always looking to learn new things. Saying “I did it” gives me a huge boost of confidence that carries over into my other roles.
(Image: Lakesha Cole)
As a mentor and business coach for budding military spouse entrepreneurs, what are some of the services you provide?
I have a passion for retail. As The Milspouse Retail Coach, I help military spouses develop business confidence and understand their business style; gain insight into how to ensure their independent retail start-up is a success; optimize how to present their product to the market; work on how to make a positive impact quickly; and integrate a range of business start-up tools into your business.
Did you always have a desire to pursue entrepreneurship or did the role fall into your lap?
Yes, I did. I always knew entrepreneurship would be my career path. Early on I simply didn’t have the resources or confidence to take that leap. So I worked full-time the first three years while building and running my business. I didn’t make the transition from employee to employer until I moved to Japan.
Think back to when you first launched your business, if you knew then what you knew today, what things would you do differently?
I would make every decision with growth in mind. I would hire an accountant and bookkeeper on day one. You will thank yourself later. Get by with the bare minimum for as long as you can. Establish your presence, gain customers and cash flow and then expand cautiously.
Editors’ Note: This story was originally published on July 6, 2015.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2KnnE7R
via
Facebook and SCORE Partner to Help Veterans Transition into Entrepreneurship
Every day women and men put their lives on the line for our freedoms as Americans. Whether they are in uniform overseas or serving administratively on U.S. soil, their service and commitment to this country should not go overlooked.
Each year, an estimated 200,000 service members return to civilian life. For a number of them, they are returning to uncharted territory when it comes to exploring alternative career opportunities, connecting with others, and finding resources to help them develop their skills.
For those reasons and more, many veterans learn entrepreneurship and become small business owners. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s survey of small business owners, there are 2.52 million veteran majority-owned businesses in the U.S.
In efforts to prepare more veterans and service members to become small business owners, Facebook recently announced the launch of the Military and Veterans Hub. The hub will provide online safety tips, resources for finding jobs and digital skills training. They are also partnering with SCORE to match veterans with mentors.
Overseeing the partnership is Nkechi “Payton” Iheme, public policy manager at Facebook. Iheme is a proud veteran who served 15 years on active duty; worked in the White House; and owns a home remodeling business with her husband. She is also a proud alum of SCORE.
Payton Iheme, public policy manager at Facebook
The narrative career thread has created numerous opportunities to lead and Iheme says that it is something that she’s passionate about.
Related: Veterans Taking A Tour Of Duty As Franchise Owners
“I really enjoy tech. I like the thought of what tech can do and how it can really up-level people who may not have had the same opportunities as others. I was really driven and pulled to do mission-focused work,” says Iheme.
She goes on to say, being able to draw from her military background to help veterans within the company and veterans in the community is gratifying work.
Veterans are building community
More than 900,000 people in the U.S. participate in more than 2,000 groups for military members, veterans, and their spouses on Facebook. Given the large community, the strategic partnership will benefit people all over.
In a statement released by Bridget Weston, CEO of SCORE, she shared her excitement saying, “We are grateful for all that our nation’s veterans have done for us, and are proud to help veterans and their families who want to start their own business. Data shows that entrepreneurs with access to a mentor are five times more likely to succeed in business, and we’re excited to be working with Facebook to provide our veteran community with the support and guidance they need to succeed.”
Related: 5 Resources for Turning Veterans into Entrepreneurs
To that point, Iheme adds, “We know when you’re dealing with marginalized communities or smaller communities like the veteran community, you really need that leg up.”
The program offers:
- A mentor match that connects military members and veterans with a cohort of SCORE’s experienced business mentors who are also U.S. veterans.
- A veteran-focused educational toolkit for launching a business, including steps for developing a business plan.
- Veteran-focused interactive workshops for guidance on starting a business. SCORE’s veteran mentors will also be available to all attendees after the workshop for continued support through all stages of startup and growth.
Users will also be able to learn how to start a business, use measurement and targeting tools to advertise their business. Those who’ve begun their entrepreneurial journeys will be able to sharpen their skills.
In addition to the partnership, Facebook is launching a 12-month pilot program for veterans with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, and mechanical engineering focused on augmented and virtual reality later this month.
“Veterans will come to Facebook and learn from our experts on how to develop augmented and virtual reality. And if they do well, they can be offered a full-time position,” says Iheme.
This news couldn’t come at a better time as we prepare to celebrate Veterans Day.
If you’re looking to launch a veteran-owned business or share this information with someone else, click here to learn more about the Military and Veteran Hub.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/2Cu1vjH
via
UnitedHealth Group Inc. Names C-Suite Member Patricia L. Lewis EVP of Human Resources
Over the last 8 years, Patricia L. Lewis has made her mark as a leader at Lockheed Martin as the SVP of Human Resources. In fact, she has been recognized by BLACK ENTERPRISE as one of the ‘Most Powerful Women in Corporate America.’ Earlier this week, it was reported that she has recently transitioned from the company and will be joining UnitedHealth Group Inc.’s C-suite as the executive vice president/chief human resources officer.
Lewis is regarded as one of the top human resources professionals in her industry with over two decades of experience. Before joining Lockheed Martin, she served as the vice president of Human Resources at IBM for 10 years.
At a time where black women in the workplace are still finding their footing on the corporate ladder, news like this is refreshing.
In a recent feature in Politico’s Women Rule newsletter, Lewis gave this advice to women in the Wisdom of the Week section. “Bold leaders consistently demonstrate courage. Being courageous means taking risks even if you are faced with an uncertain outcome. As a leader, this means being comfortable having the ‘tough conversations’ instead of avoiding them.
Congrats are in order to Lewis for her continued success.
If you’re interested in learning about how the representation of black women in the C-suite can be increased, read more here.
from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/33FA0zO
via
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)