A truck driver who drove into a crowd of hundreds of people protesting the death of George Floyd on a Minneapolis highway was charged with two criminal counts.
Prosecutors in Hennepin County charged Bogdan Vechirko, of Otsego, with one count each of making threats of violence, a felony, and criminal vehicular operation, a gross misdemeanor. According to the Star Tribune, prosecutors believe Vechirko attempted to scare protesters out of his path and that he had more than enough time to stop before he reached the crowd.
Vechirko told authorities that he was returning from a fuel delivery in Minneapolis and it was not his intent to hurt anyone. Police blocked entrances on the highway to keep protesters safe, but Vechirko was able to get onto the 35W Interstate bridge in Minneapolis that runs over the Mississippi River, due to an unblocked entrance, which still has not been explained.
A similar incident occurred in Seattle in June when Nikolas Alexander Fernandez drove into a crowd of protesters and fired several rounds from a gun as he tried to flee the scene. Fernandez was charged with one count of assault in the first degree, a class A felony.
In 2017, James Alex Fields Jr. intentionally drove his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one person and injuring 19 at a Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia. Fields pled guilty to 29 of 30 felonies and was sentenced to life in prison.
Vechirko’s lawyer, Mark Solheim, told the Tribune he “relied on his professional instinct and training to avoid a hard brake that could have jackknifed the truck and could have seriously injured or killed thousands of people, and instead slowed his vehicle while maneuvering through the parted crowd.”
No one was killed or seriously injured in the incident but one woman reported having abrasions due to her efforts to get out of the truck’s path. None of the protesters who attacked and injured Vechirko were charged. Vechirko’s wife said he suffered cuts to his face and his cellphone and wallet were stolen from the truck.
Last week, social media became consumed by a wave of young Nigerians using their platforms to raise awareness about new protests against police officers within a special unit accused of attacking innocent civilians.
The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) has been accused of heinous crimes in the past and is known for targeting young people in nice clothing or showing any signs of perceived wealth leading to extortion. Many have opened up online about personally being harassed and robbed by officers with some incidents leading to kidnapping, rape, and even death.
“People have been posting online about it for years, but it has been the same sluggish attitude and response to it. Nothing has changed and people keep on being harassed. That’s why we have taken to the streets and we want the government to listen,” said Folarin Falana, a lawyer and singer based in Lagos, to CNN. “I am marching for the ones that are not recognized. We are surprised by the numbers that came out and we are prepared to march again.”
Beauty influencer Jackie Aina among several young Nigerian celebrities including Insecure star Yvonne Orji, Uzo Aduba, Cynthia Erivo, and Jidenna created a new video campaign raising awareness and calling for public officials withing the country to call for a peaceful solution and disband SARS for good. After days of civil unrest, the government released a statement saying that they would disband the unit effective immediately and investigate all officers on human rights violations.
Last week, social media became consumed by a wave of young Nigerians using their platforms to raise awareness about new protests against police officers within a special unit accused of attacking innocent civilians.
The Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) has been accused of heinous crimes in the past and is known for targeting young people in nice clothing or showing any signs of perceived wealth leading to extortion. Many have opened up online about personally being harassed and robbed by officers with some incidents leading to kidnapping, rape, and even death.
“People have been posting online about it for years, but it has been the same sluggish attitude and response to it. Nothing has changed and people keep on being harassed. That’s why we have taken to the streets and we want the government to listen,” said Folarin Falana, a lawyer and singer based in Lagos, to CNN. “I am marching for the ones that are not recognized. We are surprised by the numbers that came out and we are prepared to march again.”
Beauty influencer Jackie Aina among several young Nigerian celebrities including Insecure star Yvonne Orji, Uzo Aduba, Cynthia Erivo, and Jidenna created a new video campaign raising awareness and calling for public officials withing the country to call for a peaceful solution and disband SARS for good. After days of civil unrest, the government released a statement saying that they would disband the unit effective immediately and investigate all officers on human rights violations.
According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, there are anywhere from 115,000 to 125,000 beekeepers in the United States with over 2 million colonies producing 1.4 million pounds of raw honey for consumption. Like many industries, beekeeping isn’t the most diverse. One family used the chance to create a business in honor of their children after learning about the health benefits of raw honey.
Summer and Kam Johnson are the founders behind Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm, a collection of raw honey made on their land in New Jersey and named after their children. The parents started beekeeping for health purposes when their son, Zach, started struggling with asthma and seasonal allergies and used honey to help. “We would regularly find ourselves in the emergency room and were constantly giving him steroids and medicine to keep his asthma in check,” wrote the Johnsons in an interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE via email.
“We wanted a natural solution to help his allergies and we read that raw honey could help with inflammation and introduce the body to pollen in manageable amounts. Back in 2015, we started with two hives and were pleasantly surprised to get a small honey harvest in the fall of that year. We kept growing each year and increasing the number of hives on our property and learning more about beekeeping.”
From there, the two started to produce honey for sale and created the company named after their children. The Johnsons learned that their presence also brought representation and diversity to those within the industry and that they are helping educate people along the way. “When we first started keeping bees, there weren’t that many Black beekeepers and we received (and still do) tons of questions and genuine curiosity,” they said.
“It’s been really fun to raise awareness around agriculture, farming, and the importance of bees and that’s one of the highlights for us—being able to teach about the topic and introduce communities, especially children, to bees. We do tours on our farm and with quarantine, have evolved into doing video tours of the bees. We live in a rural setting but we also know beekeepers who keep bees in major cities You don’t need a ton of space, just some patience, natural curiosity, and not mind getting stung on occasion.”
The Johnsons said it was important to make their children a part of the business and to teach them the mechanics behind running a business so one day they can pass the business down to them. “We named the business after our children and from the beginning, we envisioned a business that we could all play a part in,” they added.
“When they were younger, they would help with the beekeeping and they also helped with our retail shop. As they get older, we involve them in more aspects of the business and use it as a teaching tool on the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. We talk about [things like] operations, accounting, pricing, [and] fulfillment. They can see, firsthand, that starting and running a business is incredibly hard work but that if you keep at it, it can be really rewarding to see a business grow and flourish.”
You can’t rely on an employer to control or protect your career. Whether you have a “permanent” position, a temp-to-perm, or a temporary position, there’s no real job security. Therefore, you should look at your career differently. This is why everyone should have a consulting business.
COVID-19 has only made it worse. With over 60 million Americans losing their jobs since mid-March, the threat of losing your job is more and more real. In addition, pandemics, acts of God, and economic downturns give companies a “legitimate” reason to slash jobs. Since the rules have changed, companies feel free to fire or lay people off for little or no reason. So you should be prepared to make your transition before you have to.
Having a consulting business helps you to:
Fill in the gaps in your résumé.
Companies don’t want to hire unemployed people. While this is illegal in some states, there are ways around it. Having your own company means you will have work. Be prepared to talk about projects you’ve worked on. This also means you don’t have to settle for a “just get your foot in the door” job to hold you over.
Try before YOU buy.
Many companies use a temp-to-perm strategy to find the right fit for their organization. You can use the same strategy for potential clients. Since consultants are not employees, there’s less risk to bring you in to do a specific job. You can learn about the company culture and decide if the company is a potential destination if they were to offer you a permanent position.
Test the entrepreneurial waters.
Entrepreneurship can be daunting, but you don’t have to go all in. You can slowly transition into entrepreneurship and test whether you can do it full time. You may find out it’s not for you and go back to working 9-to-5. Either way, you can do one or both as you figure things out.
Gain flexibility.
Consulting was great for me when my mother-in-law had cancer. I was able to take days off to travel with my wife to the hospital for her treatments. Later, my father-in-law had a stroke and my mother got cancer. The days off gave me the ability to meet their needs. It also gave me the ability to pursue other opportunities and create my own schedule.
Everyone should have a consulting business, whether it’s part-time or full-time. Many professionals do consulting on the side. It creates a stream of income to help you to make a living or hold you over between jobs.
Draw up a contract that outlines terms, relationships, the scope of services, compensation, etc. Then, market yourself and be confident in your ability as you step out and take control of your career.
Pascale Rowe, also known as Ms. Bling, stepped out on faith when she left her career at American Express. Making a respectable $70,000 annually as a sales rep for the company, Bling decided it was time to leave behind her financial security, benefits, and 401(k). Born of Haitian descent, Bling developed a brand, social identity, and more importantly a business utilizing social media as her main marketing tool.
A failed marriage and negative bank account provided Bling with the determination she needed to find a way to succeed. “I was a wreck,” says Bling. I had no idea how I would turn my passion into profit, but I knew that I would not give up.”
For 125 years, Swarovski has been producing its precision-cut crystals seen across entertainment, fashion, and design. Bling saw an opportunity in the market to use a well-known brand in her designs that catered to a different demographic group. “Blinging out jewelry, clothing, and accessories is a personal statement that gives an item pop,” exclaims Bling. “My starting goal was visibility. Getting highly visible people to wear my product was the best way to make this happen so I sourced my contacts. Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union, and Trina were creating visibility and intrigue for my brand.”
As Bling’s business blossomed, she expanded her accessories brand into retail fashion, motivational speaking, and writing. “I am only as successful as the ones I help, and I truly believe this,” says Bling.
Helping to inspire countless entrepreneurs, Bling travels throughout the country speaking at conferences and networking events.
“When I began this journey I didn’t have other entrepreneurs or business people to lean in for advice and insight. I will take every opportunity I have to be that person to an entrepreneur who helps them along their journey.”
Building a brand has not come without setbacks and disappointments for the successful entrepreneur. In 2013 Bling decided it was time to author her first book. Working with a “manager,” Bling was given a template for online bookselling. Before the book’s completion, Bling was instructed to offer the book as a “pre-order” which she obliged.
“Initially I was thrilled at how many copies were pre-ordered,” says Bling.
When the pre-orders came in there became a feeling of extreme pressure to write just anything to deliver on the launch date. “My integrity did not allow me to do this so 11 months later Self Made, Self-Paid Without Losing My Self-Worth was finally released. Before its release, I contacted customers via e-mail and put up an Instagram post offering a full refund of $20. To my surprise, over 90% of the customers wanted the book and said they would wait. Every customer received a refund or the book. Anyone who says otherwise may have heard of the delay debacle and may be speaking on it but I can guarantee they never ordered it.”
This ordeal taught Bling a great lesson that she applies to her business practices today. She adds, “although many people pre-sell items, it is something I shy away from. I prefer to under promise and over deliver in everything I do. Therefore, if I do not have it in stock, it is not for sale.”
Selling is what Bling has been doing and her strategic approach is paying a dividend. “One thing that I do is work hard. I am my brand therefore I am meticulous in my approach. From wardrobe shoots to consistently updating my platforms with in-stock items, I measure and remeasure myself daily. I must continue to grow, evolve, and be better.”
Pascale Rowe, also known as Ms. Bling, stepped out on faith when she left her career at American Express. Making a respectable $70,000 annually as a sales rep for the company, Bling decided it was time to leave behind her financial security, benefits, and 401(k). Born of Haitian descent, Bling developed a brand, social identity, and more importantly a business utilizing social media as her main marketing tool.
A failed marriage and negative bank account provided Bling with the determination she needed to find a way to succeed. “I was a wreck,” says Bling. I had no idea how I would turn my passion into profit, but I knew that I would not give up.”
For 125 years, Swarovski has been producing its precision-cut crystals seen across entertainment, fashion, and design. Bling saw an opportunity in the market to use a well-known brand in her designs that catered to a different demographic group. “Blinging out jewelry, clothing, and accessories is a personal statement that gives an item pop,” exclaims Bling. “My starting goal was visibility. Getting highly visible people to wear my product was the best way to make this happen so I sourced my contacts. Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union, and Trina were creating visibility and intrigue for my brand.”
As Bling’s business blossomed, she expanded her accessories brand into retail fashion, motivational speaking, and writing. “I am only as successful as the ones I help, and I truly believe this,” says Bling.
Helping to inspire countless entrepreneurs, Bling travels throughout the country speaking at conferences and networking events.
“When I began this journey I didn’t have other entrepreneurs or business people to lean in for advice and insight. I will take every opportunity I have to be that person to an entrepreneur who helps them along their journey.”
Building a brand has not come without setbacks and disappointments for the successful entrepreneur. In 2013 Bling decided it was time to author her first book. Working with a “manager,” Bling was given a template for online bookselling. Before the book’s completion, Bling was instructed to offer the book as a “pre-order” which she obliged.
“Initially I was thrilled at how many copies were pre-ordered,” says Bling.
When the pre-orders came in there became a feeling of extreme pressure to write just anything to deliver on the launch date. “My integrity did not allow me to do this so 11 months later Self Made, Self-Paid Without Losing My Self-Worth was finally released. Before its release, I contacted customers via e-mail and put up an Instagram post offering a full refund of $20. To my surprise, over 90% of the customers wanted the book and said they would wait. Every customer received a refund or the book. Anyone who says otherwise may have heard of the delay debacle and may be speaking on it but I can guarantee they never ordered it.”
This ordeal taught Bling a great lesson that she applies to her business practices today. She adds, “although many people pre-sell items, it is something I shy away from. I prefer to under promise and over deliver in everything I do. Therefore, if I do not have it in stock, it is not for sale.”
Selling is what Bling has been doing and her strategic approach is paying a dividend. “One thing that I do is work hard. I am my brand therefore I am meticulous in my approach. From wardrobe shoots to consistently updating my platforms with in-stock items, I measure and remeasure myself daily. I must continue to grow, evolve, and be better.”
With an endeavor to spread her culture and heritage across all homes in the United States, Jojo Pierre started her own home décor company named Lakay Designs and she never looked back. Over the years, Lakay Designs has grown exponentially, not only offering financial stability to Jojo and her family but also creating employment opportunities for other people in her community. Currently offering an extensive catalog of products, the company is working proactively to expand the repertoire, offer more innovative products, and keep reaching more homes in America.
Currently, Lakay Design is in more than 26,000 homes across the United States, and that number is growing every day with pleased buyers referring Lakay Designs to their family and friends. The current range of products available at Lakay Designs include African art sculptures and figurines, African wall art, bathroom accessories, comforters, bedding sets, curtain designs, dining room accessories, kitchen accessories, King and Queen pillowcases, and much more. From resourcing materials to manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and everything in between, Lakay Designs abides by business practices that ensure the utmost product quality, while also providing benefits for everyone in the value chain.
A spokesperson for the company made an official press statement, “Here at Lakay Designs, our business values are essential for us, and so is our commitment to our clients. Lakay Designs became successful because our clients supported Jojo’s ideas and resonated with the African aesthetic that she put out there. Now we must serve our clients with the utmost integrity. Even during the pandemic, the Lakay Designs team has worked around the clock to fulfill all orders. We are currently offering custom design bedding, so we urge everyone to take advantage of the offer while it lasts.”
“I just received my comforter set. I love it! However, I just want to brag on [Lakay Designs] as a company. From the communication at the conception of my order to the follow-ups about shipping, to the personalized that you that came with my beautiful set! Sis, you are truly black girl business perfection! Keep it up. I’m coming back for more,” stated a happy customer while providing testimony for the African print comforter she purchased from the Lakay Designs official store.
The spokesperson further added, “The word Lakay translates to Home is Haitian Creole, and that is the vision behind Lakay Designs. There are certain African aesthetics that Jojo grew up around her home. For Jojo, these African prints and décor pieces bring about a feeling of coziness and being at home, which is how she wants every house in America to feel like: a cozy home. With a mission to reach one million homes in America with signature Lakay Designs products, Jojo and her family are getting close to that mission every passing day.”
More details about Lakay Designs and their entire line are available on the official online store at LakayDesigns.com
This article was originally published by BlackNews.com.
With an endeavor to spread her culture and heritage across all homes in the United States, Jojo Pierre started her own home décor company named Lakay Designs and she never looked back. Over the years, Lakay Designs has grown exponentially, not only offering financial stability to Jojo and her family but also creating employment opportunities for other people in her community. Currently offering an extensive catalog of products, the company is working proactively to expand the repertoire, offer more innovative products, and keep reaching more homes in America.
Currently, Lakay Design is in more than 26,000 homes across the United States, and that number is growing every day with pleased buyers referring Lakay Designs to their family and friends. The current range of products available at Lakay Designs include African art sculptures and figurines, African wall art, bathroom accessories, comforters, bedding sets, curtain designs, dining room accessories, kitchen accessories, King and Queen pillowcases, and much more. From resourcing materials to manufacturing, packaging, distribution, and everything in between, Lakay Designs abides by business practices that ensure the utmost product quality, while also providing benefits for everyone in the value chain.
A spokesperson for the company made an official press statement, “Here at Lakay Designs, our business values are essential for us, and so is our commitment to our clients. Lakay Designs became successful because our clients supported Jojo’s ideas and resonated with the African aesthetic that she put out there. Now we must serve our clients with the utmost integrity. Even during the pandemic, the Lakay Designs team has worked around the clock to fulfill all orders. We are currently offering custom design bedding, so we urge everyone to take advantage of the offer while it lasts.”
“I just received my comforter set. I love it! However, I just want to brag on [Lakay Designs] as a company. From the communication at the conception of my order to the follow-ups about shipping, to the personalized that you that came with my beautiful set! Sis, you are truly black girl business perfection! Keep it up. I’m coming back for more,” stated a happy customer while providing testimony for the African print comforter she purchased from the Lakay Designs official store.
The spokesperson further added, “The word Lakay translates to Home is Haitian Creole, and that is the vision behind Lakay Designs. There are certain African aesthetics that Jojo grew up around her home. For Jojo, these African prints and décor pieces bring about a feeling of coziness and being at home, which is how she wants every house in America to feel like: a cozy home. With a mission to reach one million homes in America with signature Lakay Designs products, Jojo and her family are getting close to that mission every passing day.”
More details about Lakay Designs and their entire line are available on the official online store at LakayDesigns.com
This article was originally published by BlackNews.com.
Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin has been selected for Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight, a collaboration with the NRF Foundation to help small businesses navigate today’s challenging retail environment. This phase of the program is highlighting 20 Black-owned businesses as part of Qurate Retail Group’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its company and in society at large.
Qurate Retail Group, a multi-platform retailer that includes QVC, HSN, Zulily, and several other brands, is using its production resources, television broadcasts, and digital platforms to help GaBBY share her story with millions of consumers nationwide. GaBBY’s story began appearing on QVC’s and HSN’s websites and social pages in August and the company was highlighted on air in early October on QVC and on HSN. Click here to watch a replay.
Zulily is promoting the campaign on its website, email, and social, and Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin can also tap Qurate Retail Group team members for advice on solving a business issue through a virtual mentoring initiative.
“I am super excited to showcase my business and inspire girls around the world to follow their dreams and walk in confidence,” GaBBY Goodwin shared.
At the age of seven, GaBBY and her mom Rozalynn solved the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, and non-slip Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette. GaBBY Bows, along with their line of girls’ hair styling products help remove stress from the styling process so moms, dads and girls can cherish this precious time together. The company’s online hair care tutorials and hair tool organizer also save time and frustration, while GaBBY’s children’s book, virtual entrepreneurship academy for girls and keynote presentations inspire confidence and creativity.
Qurate Retail Group has a long tradition of helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow their brands through the incredible power of storytelling and shopping discovery. QVC, HSN, and Zulily provide compelling platforms, with unmatched reach, that enable small businesses to speak directly to millions of consumers in their homes.
“We’re proud to stand with the Black community by sharing the stories of these extraordinary businesses, including their innovation, their triumphs, the challenges they face, and their remarkable resilience,” said Mike George, President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. “In these important times, we want to be part of the solution and help build inclusive communities where all people are treated with equity.”
This phase of the Small Business Spotlight runs from August 12th through October 16th.
“Retailers serve every community across the country and support one out of every four jobs. Diversity and inclusion have always been at the heart of our industry, but we know there is so much more work to be done,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. “By amplifying Black voices and businesses through programs like the Small Business Spotlight, we are taking an important step to ensure our industry remains a catalyst for promoting equity and opportunity in America today.”
For additional information on Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin, visit GabbyBows.com
During these challenging times, Lynda Monroe is inspiring over 2 million people monthly with her story of resilience and life coaching for success. When she was born, her doctor said she would not live past 10 years of age due to her congenital heart defect. She successfully defied the odds when she became a mother at 17-years old. However, as an unwed mother, this caused her to be ostracized by her church family and forced her to mature quickly. These experiences and more motivated her to reach deep inside herself to get her feet on solid ground.
Now, she is the CEO of a multi-media empire that touches millions through her activism to help prisoners integrate successfully back into society. Her business includes her podcast: The Lynda Monroe Show (with over 2 million streams monthly), her web sites, social media, and public speaking.
Over her career to date she has been able to get 50 inmates released from prison, giving them a second chance at life. In addition, she has successfully mentored over 1,000 prisoners. She is an extraordinary multimedia mogul who continues to take the world by storm.
Lynda wants to inspire the world, and has a special place in her heart for the current and formerly incarcerated. She says, “The prisons are filled to the brim with untapped potential that deserves a second chance.” She doesn’t just talk the talk, but she walks the walk and has five strategies to beat the odds:
1. Practice Gratitude: Be grateful for your life, health, and strength. Do not take anything for granted.
2. Make Education and Self Improvement a Priority: No matter how long it takes, expand your mindset. You only have one mind and one life and cultivating it to its fullest potential is key.
3. Nurture Your Creativity: Life will throw you curveballs. When she was born she was thrown the ultimate curveball of endangered health, and with the help of family and God she was able to overcome her death sentence.
4. Have a Spirit of Service: When faced with the realities of how inmates live in prison, Lynda Monroe was filled with compassion. This compassion created the idea for a prison ministry to help inmates reach their fullest potential.
5. Put God First: Without faith, Lynda believes that it is impossible to please God. This is why it is important for everyone to have faith in themselves; faith in the fruits of your labor; and faith that in the end, everything will work out fine.
Lynda is a change agent that helps the forgotten in society obtain second chances through her prison activism, her podcast, and her public speaking.
Earlier this year, BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that Barefoot Wine was creating a new platform to celebrate the beauty of Black women. Now, the company has teamed with the New Voices Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing minority women entrepreneurs, to give business grants to various Black-owned beauty businesses.
The $10,000 grants, which six business received, will be used to highlight the beauty of Black women and integrate it into their branding. The winning businesses will also receive exclusive mentorships and business coaching through the foundation.
“At Barefoot, we are committed to doing our part as an ally and advocate to ensure Black women are recognized and supported,” Shannon Armah, Barefoot Wine’s associate brand manager, said in a press statement.
“As we have seen from the numerous applications we received, there are so many inspiring and much-needed Black women-owned beauty businesses worthy of our support. We hope the Barefoot Beauty Grant will help these deserving businesses continue to grow and thrive,”
“We look forward to having these six beauty companies join the New Voices’ vibrant community of women of color entrepreneurs,” Richelyna Hall, chief impact officer at the New Voices Foundation, said in a press statement. “With access to our unique ecosystem, they will receive unprecedented networking, learning, and leadership opportunities to help them grow and scale their businesses.”
In addition to the beauty grants, Barefoot Wine also chose recipients for its COVID-19 Business Recovery Grant. Twenty-five Black-owned hair salons affected by shutdowns due to the coronavirus pandemic will each receive $1,000.
Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin has been selected for Qurate Retail Group’s Small Business Spotlight, a collaboration with the NRF Foundation to help small businesses navigate today’s challenging retail environment. This phase of the program is highlighting 20 Black-owned businesses as part of Qurate Retail Group’s commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion within its company and in society at large.
Qurate Retail Group, a multi-platform retailer that includes QVC, HSN, Zulily, and several other brands, is using its production resources, television broadcasts, and digital platforms to help GaBBY share her story with millions of consumers nationwide. GaBBY’s story began appearing on QVC’s and HSN’s websites and social pages in August and the company was highlighted on air in early October on QVC and on HSN. Click here to watch a replay.
Zulily is promoting the campaign on its website, email, and social, and Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin can also tap Qurate Retail Group team members for advice on solving a business issue through a virtual mentoring initiative.
“I am super excited to showcase my business and inspire girls around the world to follow their dreams and walk in confidence,” GaBBY Goodwin shared.
At the age of seven, GaBBY and her mom Rozalynn solved the age-old problem of disappearing hair barrettes by inventing GaBBY Bows, and non-slip Double-Face Double-Snap Barrette. GaBBY Bows, along with their line of girls’ hair styling products help remove stress from the styling process so moms, dads and girls can cherish this precious time together. The company’s online hair care tutorials and hair tool organizer also save time and frustration, while GaBBY’s children’s book, virtual entrepreneurship academy for girls and keynote presentations inspire confidence and creativity.
Qurate Retail Group has a long tradition of helping small business owners and entrepreneurs launch and grow their brands through the incredible power of storytelling and shopping discovery. QVC, HSN, and Zulily provide compelling platforms, with unmatched reach, that enable small businesses to speak directly to millions of consumers in their homes.
“We’re proud to stand with the Black community by sharing the stories of these extraordinary businesses, including their innovation, their triumphs, the challenges they face, and their remarkable resilience,” said Mike George, President and CEO, Qurate Retail, Inc. “In these important times, we want to be part of the solution and help build inclusive communities where all people are treated with equity.”
This phase of the Small Business Spotlight runs from August 12th through October 16th.
“Retailers serve every community across the country and support one out of every four jobs. Diversity and inclusion have always been at the heart of our industry, but we know there is so much more work to be done,” said Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation. “By amplifying Black voices and businesses through programs like the Small Business Spotlight, we are taking an important step to ensure our industry remains a catalyst for promoting equity and opportunity in America today.”
For additional information on Confidence by GaBBY Goodwin, visit GabbyBows.com
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris announced Thursday she will suspend travel after two staff members tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a statement from campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon, the Biden campaign learned late Wednesday that Harris’s Communications Director Liz Allen, and a “non-staff flight crew member” contracted the coronavirus. Neither person had contact with Biden or Harris 48 hours before they were tested.
O’Malley Dillon said the former attorney general will suspend her events through Sunday “out of an abundance of caution.” Harris was scheduled to spend Thursday in North Carolina.
“After being with Senator Harris, both individuals attended personal, non-campaign events in the past week. Under our campaign’s strict health protocols, both individuals had to be tested before returning to their work with the campaign from these personal events,” O’Malley Dillon said in a statement to CNN. “These protocols help protect the campaign, the staff, and anyone who they may have contact with; the importance of having such protocols—which include testing before resuming duties, regular testing while working in-person, isolation after time off, and masking and distancing while on campaign duties—have been illustrated once again.”
O’Malley Dillon said Harris, her husband, Doug Emhoff, and Biden have tested negative multiple times since the two staffers tested positive for coronavirus.
The news of a potential coronavirus outbreak within the Biden campaign comes less than two weeks after President Trump and more than 18 people in his circle admitted they’d contracted the virus since former senior adviser Hope Hicks tested positive in early October.
Others who’ve contracted the coronavirus in Trump’s circle include his campaign manager Bill Stepien; Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel; Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her deputies, Chad Gilmartin and Karoline Leavitt; Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway; former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie; Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah); Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), and Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.); Nick Luna, the president’s personal assistant; and the first lady, Melania, and their son, Barron.
As a result of Trump’s COVID-19 infection, Trump and Biden will host competiting town hall events Thursday night instead of a second debate. Biden’s town hall will be on ABC, while NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC will host Trump’s town hall.
NBC is already facing backlash on Twitter for agreeing to host Trump’s town hall. The election has already begun in several states due to early voting and Democrats have a significant edge but that is not expected to hold up as Election Day draws closer.
You can say he epitomized the Motown sound! An 11-year-old Stevland Hardaway Morris signed a recording contract with Motown Records’ Tamla Records in 1961, and the young boy, who would come to be known as Stevie Wonder, has been a Motown artist until now.
In an announcement this past Tuesday, Wonder revealed that he is launching his own imprint, So What The Fuss Records, under the Republic Records/Universal Music Group umbrella, effectively ending his nearly 60-year relationship with the fabled Motown Records, according toThe Associated Press.
The announcement was made during a virtual press conference Tuesday and he also spoke of his health after saying he “was blessed with a new kidney” last December.
“Since I have been released from the hospital, the nurses have made sure I’ve taken my medicine on time and I’m going to do it for as long as I have to, even if it is the rest of my life. I feel great. My voice feels great,” Wonder said. “I feel like I’m about 40 right now and I just thank everyone for the prayers and the love.”
“And for all of the people that have been listening to these rumors, listen, if I’m feeling some kind of way, I’ll let you know,” he continued. “We don’t want to have misinformation. I am alive and well.”
Along with the new label declaration, Wonder introduced two new songs, “Where Is Our Love Song” and “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate,” which will be distributed through his new label, So What the Fuss Music, distributed through Universal Music Group’s Republic Records.
All proceeds from “Where Is Our Love Song,” which features Grammy-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr., will benefit Feeding America.
Rappers Busta Rhymes, Rapsody, Cordae, and Chika appear on “Can’t Put It In the Hands of Fate” and Wonder said he plans on including the songs on a new EP.
“Change is right now. We can’t put it into the hands of fate. Ain’t nobody got time to wait,” he said. “We can’t put it the hands of fate finding a cure for this dreadful virus. We got to get on our knees and pray or whatever you do.”
“I want everyone to be well,” he continued. “I don’t care what color you are because actually, I don’t see your color. You see color, don’t act like you don’t see color, you do. But I don’t see your visual color. But I do feel your soul. I do feel your spirit. I see the color of your spirit and soul, and I’m seeing too many spirits and souls that are not about the love that we’re supposed to have and feel for one another.”
The beer industry is increasingly becoming more diverse as more entrepreneurs establish brands dedicated to cultivating space for Black people and other people of color to talk about their love of the beverage. Anheuser-Busch is the world’s largest beer company in the world compromising notable names including Budweiser and Bud Light. Now the company is making moves to diversify its workforce and making history by appointing its first Black female brewmaster.
Natalie Johnson made history recently when she became the first Black female brewmaster for the beer giant. In a Q&A with BLACK ENTERPRISE, Johnson discusses how she became interested in beer brewing, entering the market as a STEM graduate, and promoting diversity within the beer industry.
BE: How did you get your start in brewing beer?
Johnson: Being from St. Louis, the Anheuser-Busch name and its ties within the community are known by everyone! The summer prior to starting college, where I knew I would pursue a degree in the sciences, I was fortunate enough to get an internship at Anheuser-Busch through Inroads.
With this internship, I became immersed in the brewing process by working in the lab, analyzing raw materials that would be sent to the breweries, and providing data to the brewmasters that would be used to make brewing quality decisions. At the conclusion of the internship, I was invited back, and it wasn’t until the following summer that I really started envisioning myself as a part of the larger brewing process and seeing it as a potential career path.
How did you get started working with Anheuser-Busch?
Immediately after high school, I was offered a position at Anheuser-Busch as an intern. At the time, I was looking for lab experience before going to college and the internship allowed me to see the immense amount of data and detail that goes into the brewing process. After graduating from college, I was fortunate to receive an offer from Anheuser-Busch and couldn’t pass up the opportunity to re-join the team in the innovation brewery where I learned about the brewing process and how to conduct my own analysis.
What were some of your challenges entering this field as a woman and a minority? How was that experience?
The lack of diversity in brewing isn’t something new. Through the internship program, I first participated in out of high school, I was introduced to the brewing industry and shown early on that this was a potential career path. Not many students of color see this as a pathway for themselves.
Our goal with the UNCF Budweiser Natalie Johnson Scholarship is to create more opportunities for students of color, working on a degree in STEM, to not only complete their major but also provide a new career trajectory they can pursue, further leading to greater diversity within the brewing industry. With this scholarship, we aim to not only continue working on D&I practices at Anheuser-Busch but also encourage others within the industry to take action.
What is something people don’t realize when it comes to the art of brewing beer?
What many don’t expect is that the brewing process is an extremely precise balance of science and art. As a brewmaster, we ensure consistency across every brewery when executing new recipes, and make appropriate adjustments to ensure that no matter where consumers are drinking our beer, the taste is the same. My role as Brewing Director of North America allows me to touch all breweries in my zone and help them stay consistent and work through any overarching issues.
What advice do you have for other Black women who are interested in the industry?
I am honored to share my experience and continue forging a path for young Black students, showing them that a career in the brewing industry is possible. There is still much to do, and I am immensely proud to be at a company that places such a strong emphasis on D&I initiatives and continues to work with organizations, such as UNCF, to bring about change. My advice to other Black women interested in the brewing industry is to pursue it!…your contributions are needed. Look for and seize opportunities to learn and be exposed to all aspects of the industry, then follow your passion.
Leaders from the worlds of sports, business and politics are mourning the loss of Jimmie Lee Solomon, the trailblazer who broke barriers to become one of the highest-ranking executives in Major League Baseball. Among the most powerful sports executives during his 21-year tenure with MLB – from 1991 to 2012 – he influenced virtually every aspect of the nation’s favorite pastime. Moreover, the dynamic business leader sought to diversify and introduce talent to the league through establishment of urban youth academies and the annual Futures Game for top prospects, among other initiatives.
His sudden death was announced on Oct. 9 by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a friend, and Harvard Law School classmate. He was 64. “Today, I have lost a close friend, a trusted confidant, and a man who has been like a brother to me since shortly after the day we met at Harvard Law School,” Turner said in a released statement. “Jimmie Lee Solomon came from humble beginnings, but he was the epitome of what it meant to build a successful life by working hard and making a difference in others’ lives.”
In a text to the Associate Press, Houston Astros Manager Dusty Baker said he was devastated by the loss of his “great friend and brother. I even called Jimmie Lee hoping he would answer the phone… Hoping that someone was wrong.”
Shortly before his death, CNBC reported that he decided to join Baker at Playrs, an operating firm under private equity firm, Turn2 Equity Partners . He would have served as the unit’s president, charged with helping it raise $25 to $30 million to acquire sports-focused tech startups unable to gain backing due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Grand-Slam Achievements For A Sports Power Player
In chronicling his rise within the sports industry, BLACK ENTERPRISE shared his grand-slam achievements as well as his inclusion on its 2005 list of the 50 Most Powerful African Americans in Sports.
In 1991, Solomon was tapped by then-Baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent to become director of minor league operations with oversight of the minor’s 17 leagues, 175 teams and more than 5,000 players. In his role, he diffused contention between the MLB and its farm clubs. By 2000, he was promoted to senior vice president of baseball operations and then named executive vice president of baseball operations in 2005. The transition led to his management of major league, minor league, and international operations as well as the Major League Scouting Bureau and the Arizona Fall League. Moreover, he implemented and enforced major league rules and regulations, reviewed game protests and club-to-club grievances and handled approval of contracts, facilities, and ground rules.
At the time of his appointment, Solomon told BLACK ENTERPRISE about the challoenges of African Americans piercing the glass ceiling despite having exceptional qualifications and credentials. “Many have butted their head up against it and kind of cracked it, but it’s not wide open,” he said at the time. “We’re going to have to struggle, squeeze, and sometimes tighten our belts to get through.”
That process has always been a part of his professional ascension. BLACK ENTERPRISE reported that as a youngster coming of age in Thompsons, Texas, the son of a cattle rancher never imagined he would become one of sport’s top decision makers. But behind his modest country-boy façade, Solomon was never content with “staying down on the farm”. A history major, Solomon received a full academic scholarship to Dartmouth College, where he distinguished himself in collegiate athletics as an All-Ivy sprinter in track & field and a wide receiver on its football team in which he caught 37 passes for 420 yards during two varsity football seasons.
After graduating with honors from Harvard Law School in 1981, he moved to Washington, D.C., and joined the law firm of Baker & Hostetler where he handled legal work for the NFL and its players
Seeking To Diversify The Game
As a top MLB executive under then-Commissioner Bud Selig, he launched the Major League Baseball Youth Academy at California’s Compton Community College in 2006 in his effort to make baseball more accessible to urban youth and diversify the talent pipeline. It operated virtually year-round, providing free baseball instruction to aspiring players and free vocational instruction to future umpires, coaches, groundskeepers, play-by-play announcers, journalists, scouts, and coaches. According to MLB.com, there are now Academies in locations such as Kansas City; Chicago; Bronx, New York; Philadelphia; Washington DC; New Orleans; Houston; Arlington; and Puerto Rico.
The enterprising exec shared his philosophy in creating these venues, having cited that from Little League to high school to college Black participation in baseball had dramatically slid over the decades. “I think there is a direct correlation to the number of African Americans you see on the field, on the diamond to the numbers you see in the stands, you see watching television, and you see buying merchandise,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE at the time. “When an African American kid looks up and sees a superstar player on the field or on the diamond or on the court, and that person looks like him or her, they tend to be attracted to that athlete much more readily than to one who does not look like them. They also believe they have an opportunity to emulate that athlete, and they work hard to do that.”
Solomon also advocated for an increase in the allocation of baseball scholarships for top Black high school athletes to pursue the sport.
Always committed to putting new talent on deck, he was also responsible for the development of the Futures Game, an annual tradition in advance of the All-Star Game. And to pay tribute to those who fought on and off the field for equal rights, he created The Civil Rights Game and its related activities.
Even after leaving MLB, he engaged in consulting for sports organizations and pursued new business ventures. Solomon, however, never lost sight of trying to elevate Blacks on and off the field.
The 6th annual BE Smart Hackathon, hosted by Black Enterprise and American Airlines, has concluded, revealing an array of prize-winning teams that represent the best tech talent from the nation’s HBCUs.
Team Morehouse, composed of five students from Atlanta-based Morehouse College, scored first prize in the tightly-contested final showdown. Its Free-Fly travel app greatly impressed the BE Smart judging panel consisting of Earl “Butch” Graves, Jr., president and CEO of BLACK ENTERPRISE; Earl Barnes, managing director of Enterprise Infrastructure Services at American; Dr. Jerry Higgs, senior software and systems engineer at e-commerce marketplace Etsy; and Cornelius Boone, American’s vice president of Human Resources and Team Member Services.
Each member of Team Morehouse walks away with 100,000 AA Advantage Miles for their first-place showing. They also won one of the event’s coveted partner prizes, awarded by software intelligence firm Dynatrace.
Also making a strong showing at the event — produced under the theme “Tech Superheroes Unite!” in honor of Chadwick Boseman, the late actor and HBCU alum who played the title role in the blockbuster Black Panther — was the second place winner Kilmonger Avengers – an HBCU collaboration between Hampton University and Florida A&M. Their Quick Way project gained each team member 75,000 AA Advantage Miles. The Kilmonger Avengers also received a special prize from event partner Harman International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung.
Third place went to the Bowie State Cyber Panthers for their impressive AA Baggage Protection 2.0 app. They were followed by two Morgan State teams that took the fourth and fifth spots, respectively: Vibranium and the Jabari Bears. Due to their prowess in developing innovative tech solutions, American decided to award each member of the three remaining finalist teams with 50,000 AA Advantage Miles.
The 2020 BE Smart Hackathon was noteworthy in many respects. For one, it was conducted as a virtual competition for the first time — a choice necessitated by the worldwide pandemic. “But despite COVID-19 and other challenges, BE Smart hosted 25 HBCUs with the participation of more than 40 teams and over 200 HBCU students,” says Graves.
Phillip Easter, American’s head of emerging technology who led the airline’s collaboration with BE, cites another development he believes will impact the tech space: Roughly 40% percent of the student competitors were women.
The BE Smart hack provides a valued platform for HBCU students to gain internship and job opportunities. In fact, Graves applauded the title sponsor for its track record in expanding diversity hiring and kickstarting careers for HBCU talent. “Last year, American hired 10 HBCU graduates who participated in the 2019 hackathon. Despite the pandemic, they made good on their commitment.” The air carrier also recruited four additional HBCU graduates from other events it attended last year and has engaged in such hiring activity prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Graves also credited the event’s corporate partners for going “above and beyond” to make the event a success. In addition to Dynatrace and Harman, corporate partner companies, including IBM, Microsoft, Mastercard, Slack and Hewlett Packard, awarded a range of special prizes to teams with students from Fisk University, Florida Memorial, Tuskegee University and Howard University, among others.
During the event, Easter encouraged the corporate partners to hire hack participants. One such affiliate Nvidia, the multinational firm that designs graphics processing units for the gaming and professional markets, awarded Storm AI, a team composed of students from Fisk and Florida Memorial, an all-expenses paid trip to its Silicon Valley headquarters to meet top executives. Yunior Garcia of Storm AI, won two partner prizes, gave his enthusiastic review of the event shared by scores of other attendees: “It’s been beyond anything I could have imagined. My teammates and I are just thrilled about the prizes but mostly about the experiences we have gained from a collaboration that began only last Friday at Noon.”
Graves presented the last honor of the hack – the Black Enterprise Design and Collaboration Award – to an all-women team from Prairie View A&M University that competed during their midterms and participated in all of the event workshops. The prize was a collector’s item — a framed poster of the themed event artwork signed by acclaimed comic book illustrator Denys Cowan. That team was aptly named Dora Milaje, the elite female special forces of Wakanda featured in the Black Panther movie.
After saluting “all of the tech superheroes who participated in our hackathon,” Graves promised that “we’ll be back next year…bigger and better.”
Black content has become highly sought after by numerous Hollywood studios and now a viral comic series is the latest to get the greenlight to be adapted for the big screen. This week, Studio 8 and Warner Brothers announced it has acquired the right to adapt the comic series ‘Black’ for a feature adaption.
Co-creator Kwanza Osajyefo says the idea of the comic series was from the desire to see more Black faces within the comic world and wanting to tell a story with people that looked like him and his peers. “Part of the inspiration for Black came from my experiencing the lack of representation in comics publishing and how that directly relates to the scarceness of Black characters,” said Osajyefo in an interview with Deadline.
“For most of comics’ history, white outcasts have been used as allegories for marginalized groups while claiming to reflect the world outside our window. BLACK strips away this veneer to juxtapose superpowers with race while allowing Black people to see ourselves authentically in media and inviting wider audiences into parts of our experience. We’re excited to bring this story to everyone through film and thankful to Studio 8 for believing in it.”
The series first gained widespread notoriety after launching a Kickstarter campaign that went viral on social media and raised over $90,00 for the founders to start Black Mask Studios to begin work on the series. The comic has now expanded into its own universe with several titles.
“We became involved in the development of this story over a year ago,” said Studio 8 CEO Jeff Robinov to Deadline. “Black represents a new generation of storytellers and creators who can accurately tell Black stories with the type of care the industry has lacked for decades. The thought-provoking concept caught our attention early on, and we’re proud to play a role in bringing this story to the screen.”
Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun? is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The book is about Reginald F. Lewis, the legendary entrepreneur who rocked Wall Street when his firm, TLC Group, acquired Beatrice International Foods for $985 million. The purchase in 1987 helped Lewis build the first Black-owned business to exceed the billion-dollar revenue mark. At the time it was the was the largest-ever offshore leveraged buyout. It was gigantic as TLC Beatrice International Holdings Inc. became the nation’s largest snack food, beverage, and grocery store conglomerate with a global presence.
And now, an audio version of the classic book was just released. Written by Lewis and co-author Blair S. Wall, the book was a New York Times best seller. The extraordinary exploits on the life and times of the astute, courageous, and bodacious Lewis still serve today as a source of inspiration to generations of Black entrepreneurs, including those in finance, technology, entertainment, and other fields.
Before his death in 1993, Lewis helped Black Americans gain access to financing for Blacks on Wall Street. His landmark endeavors encouraged Blacks to overcome barriers like race to become business owners, corporate executives, and major growth contributors to America’s economy. Lewis’ accomplishments remain momentous though they occurred over a quarter century ago. They shine like a beacon for African Americans to keep striving for, and potentially exceed, his success in their own business pursuits. The trailblazing work by Lewis is perhaps even more amazing in that it shows how a Black man pulled off acquiring a major international company with 64 companies in 31 countries. The name of Lewis became a sign of hope. That was especially true in the Black community as many African Americans were compelled to believe that if Lewis could score such a feat, then others could possibly play in the game as well.
Lewis left an enduring mark on business history. His actions permeated with many top Black business leaders, including the likes of real estate mogul Don Peebles and BET founder Bob Johnson.
“Reggie was not afraid of going beyond what Black business was, which was privately owned companies run by family members to be passed on to family members,” Johnson told Black Enterprise eight years ago. “He got access to public capital, which gives you leverage in deal making.” Johnson is founder and chairman of The RLJ Cos., a portfolio of companies with holdings in many industries.
Also a philanthropist, Lewis donated millions of dollars to empower and help others. The Reginald F. Lewis International Law Center was the first building at Harvard University named after an African American. The Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, whose chairman is Loida Lewis, Reginald’s wife, is among the largest African American private foundations in the world. As of December 2019, the foundation had given $30 million in grants since starting, according to its website.
Black Enterprise connected with Black entrepreneurs by email to reflect on this: How did Lewis inspire them in business and how can future generations build on his legacy?
Reginald F. Lewis As Role Model
IMB Partners CEO Tarrus Richardson recalls that in July 1987, there was an article on “Mr. Lewis buying McCall Patterns for $27 million and selling it for $90 million. He had invested only $1 million and made $63 million. I was 17 years old. After reading the article I looked at my mom and said, ‘now that looks like a good job’ and from that time on I committed to getting a job in the leveraged buyout business.”
Richardson added, “You can’t be what you can’t see. Once I had the visual of a Black man making that kind of money buying and selling companies, it made it easier for me to believe I too could do it.”
Today, Richardson is founder and CEO of IMB Partners. The Bethesda, Maryland-based firm is a 100% Black private equity holding company (similar to TLC Beatrice) that makes control acquisitions and partners with management teams to grow lower middle-market companies serving government agencies and electric and gas utilities. IMB Partners has revenue of over $500 million, five portfolio companies, and more than 300 employees. It ranked No. 42 on BLACK ENTERPRISE’S Top 100 list, an annual ranking of the nation’s top Black-owned businesses.
When he started imbpartners.com in 2010, Richardson says, Loida was one of his earliest investors and has invested in all of IMB’s deals. Richardson says while his company has not made a 90-to-1 return, the company is making 5-to-1 returns on its investments and its goal is to get to over $1 billion in revenue in the next five years.
Outside of business, Richardson says he helped Christina Lewis, Reginald’s daughter, found All Star Code as its founding board chair. He reports he was the lead funder for the 2018 PBS documentary on Reginald Lewis that was a dream of Loida and the family. “I am incredibly grateful for the inspiration and role modeling both in business and in life Mr. Lewis and his family have played in my life since I was a teenager and continues to play in so many others.”
Lewis Leaves Us A Blueprint
For serial entrepreneur Paul Brunson, Why Should White Guys Hall All the Fun? was the first book that he read cover to cover; he was 18 years old at the time.
“My life was completely heading in the wrong direction. It was prison, death, or out on the streets. The book really spoke to me because it was the first time that I felt someone was speaking to me. It gave me inspiration and instruction.”
More importantly, Brunson was inspired because someone who looked like him was winning and doing it not on a basketball court or a football field. He loved the step by-step instruction the book offered. For example, Brunson spoke of how Lewis had a specific schedule or gave himself mantras, including on such matters as to become a great lawyer you have to work hard. “That structure was very important because we can see that structure led to his success,” Brunson says.
Nowadays, Brunson hosts the Better With Paul podcast. He’s also a TV host and a business columnist at USA Today. The previous host of Black Enterprise‘s TV show, Our World, Brunson says the book is one of the first books that “moved a lot of us to the mindset we can actually do this, meaning that we can actually succeed as a professional in business.”
Brunson contends future generations can learn from the book threefold. He says in order for us to continue to succeed in business, rise the ranks of corporate America, or increase our social economic standing, all of that requires extraordinary discipline. He added that Lewis was able to win because his extraordinary discipline led to his extraordinary success. “That is a pillar that we have to hold onto.”
Brunson says another pillar is the fact that we have to constantly re-evaluate ourselves and ask ourselves what we can do better, even in the face of adversity like racism.
For example, Brunson says there was at least one acquisition, but probably more than one, that Lewis attempted to make in his early 40s where he was unsuccessful—namely because of racist tactics on the part of the seller. Still, he says, Lewis re-evaluated what he could do better in the situation though he obviously could not change the color of his skin. “That self-reflection and introspection is very important for us, particularly for Black professionals as we move forward.”
Further, Brunson says, one of the biggest things that has gotten lost in the Black community is that real wealth building comes as the result of acquiring businesses, not just starting businesses.
He says a philosophy for Lewis was: how to acquire a business, add more value to that business, and then extract value from that. Brunson says acquisitions are what Black entrepreneurs should be focusing on. “We would benefit to a much higher degree if we would acquire more businesses.”
“People didn’t just read the book. They turned its words into action, into money, and into companies,” says Christina Lewis, younger daughter of Reginald F. Lewis, who is an author, entrepreneur, and co-founder of GiveBlck.org, a comprehensive database of Black-founded nonprofits. (Image: Courtesy of Reginald Lewis Foundation)
Lewis’s Mark As A Father
Following in her father’s entrepreneurial footsteps, Christina Lewis started All Star Code. The nonprofit creates economic opportunity for young men of color by helping them develop tools needed to succeed in a technological world. But in developing a generation of young Black high school students and future tech entrepreneurs, Christina says what she is doing is helping develop Reginald Lewises in tech and trying to develop others to follow in her father’s footsteps.
Christina, who also is treasurer of the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, says, “My Dad inspired me in life to be hard-working, to value strength of character, and to be generous. He and my mother taught me to be a caring parent. Future generations can build on his legacy by staying humble, achieving success, but also enjoying their lives. My father never had a chance to retire. I hope that those who follow in his footsteps of hard work know that Black joy is a precious thing.”
Using Lewis’s Words As A Guide
Another Black entrepreneur Lewis greatly influenced was Troy Carter. He’s the founder and CEO of Q&A, a music and technology firm. He was previously founder and CEO of Atom Factory and co-founder/managing partner of Cross Culture Ventures. He most recently was global head of Creator Services at Spotify.
Carter recalls coming across Lewis’s biography when he was 22-years-old. “I just became a father and was struggling with what to do with my life. Reginald’s life story gave me the inspiration I needed and gave me the confidence that a young Black kid had the ability to play in the big leagues.” Over the years, Carter says he has re-read the book dozens of times as he ran into roadblocks. “‘What would Reggie do?’ became my internal mantra when I needed a battery in my back.”
A couple of decades later, after building a successful career in music and technology, Carter says he was speaking at an MIT event. He says a woman walked over and told him her idea of building an organization to teach Black teenagers software programming. The woman was Christina Lewis. Carter says he became a founding member of her board and part of the Lewis family.
“More importantly, I became a true part of Reginald’s legacy,” Carter says. “If I can impact one kid the way Reginald’s life has impacted mine, it would serve as a small forwarding of the blessing.”
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thank you to @heysharonc and @opalayo for writing, producing and executing this initiative Edit: @iamthe_eagle thank you to every single person who has played their part in fighting for a better Nigeria be it through protests, sharing resources, donating and much more 
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