Little Richard, a Founder of Rock 'n' Roll, Has Died at 87

“I should be better recognized today for sure,” Little Richard said in an August 2010 interview with the Wall Street Journal. “I am the beginning. I am the originator.”

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Wanda Durant Shares the Importance of Putting Yourself First and Giving Back as a Mother

Many people know Wanda Durant, inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, advocate and philanthropist, affectionately as “the Real MVP.” What many do not know is her story.

As a single mother who set her sons on pathways to success, “Mama Durant” now helps others do the same through the Wanda Durant The Real MVP Foundation. In a sit-down interview with BLACK ENTERPRISE Digital & Events Editor Lydia T. Blanco, Durant shared her journey of self-rediscovery, the importance of mental wellness, and advice for parents in the time of COVID-19.

Having raised two sons–Anthony and Kevin Durant (basketball superstar and provider of her now-famous nickname)–as a single mother, Wanda Durant knows what it is like to sacrifice, go without, and show up for children relentlessly. She also knows how to adapt once there’s an empty nest. Now, she’s highly regarded for her no-nonsense parenting advice.

During the conversation, Wanda Durant spoke candidly about the challenges she faced as a young mother and lessons she learned about herself along the way. With sons over the age of 30, she offered sound advice to those still parenting young and adult children.

This Mother’s Day, Durant wants to encourage women who are parents and guardians to take a moment to themselves and celebrate all that they have accomplished in relation to motherhood and their personal journeys.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, while families are home together, Wanda Durant touched on the importance of creating healthy bonds that promote mental wellness. The Wanda Durant The Real MVP Foundation focuses on education and empowering children and their families. During the pandemic, she and her team have made it a priority to support students by providing them with an online curriculum to make remote learning accessible.

Do you see why she’s the real MVP? And she’s not the only one. There are countless mothers who have laid it all down for their children who are being celebrated for their selfless commitment.

At BLACK ENTERPRISE, we celebrate you all. Happy Mother’s Day!

 

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Joe Biden, Erykah Badu, Vanessa Williams, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and More to Deliver Virtual Commencement Speeches at This HBCU

The global COVID-19 pandemic has upended the economy, brought the nation to a standstill, and disrupted the lives of millions of people, including students. As a result, graduating seniors across the country will not be able to participate in milestone events like proms, senior class trips, and traditional graduation ceremonies. However, to help alleviate the disappointment, Delaware State University (DSU) has called on 25 cultural influencers—from hip-hop stars to a former Ms. America to a former vice president—to deliver a star-studded virtual commencement to remember.

The HBCU announced an all-star lineup of speakers who congratulate the class of 2020 during its May 16 virtual commencement celebration. A few of the notable guests include Joe Biden, Grammy-Award winning artist Erykah Badu, businesswoman Tina Knowles-Lawson, and actress Vanessa Williams. Other speakers include political commentator Angela Rye and Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and the New York Times Best-Selling author of Just Mercy.

“When I confer degrees on the Class of 2020, it is more than a credential that will get them to their next goal. It is a reminder that each of them is now and always ever-present with us,” said Delaware State University President Tony Allen, reflecting on the commencement celebration in a statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The University announced in March that students would receive their degrees in an online ceremony due to the coronavirus crisis. As a result, a team of faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University began planning the virtual celebration immediately.

“We knew better than to try to copy the traditional ceremony at Alumni Field,” said Dr. Francine Edwards, co-chair of the planning committee. “So we set out to create a memorable and surprising experience that the Class of 2020 will treasure forever as their own unique celebration.”

According to the statement, Nicole Dye-Anderson, a Delaware State alumna and Barclays Bank executive, played a major role in securing a number of featured guests. “DelState gave so much to me. Whatever I can do to show my appreciation will be done. I am proud to work for a company that knows the value of HBCUs and gives me the freedom to help showcase them around the world,” she said.

The University’s commencement, which will be broadcast on the ESSENCE Studios platform, will be followed by another virtual event sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which will combine 75 HBCUs for a joint commencement ceremony.

“We are excited that graduates from our member-schools will receive the public recognition that they earned and deserve. This celebratory event is an effort to lift-up all HBCU students and to let them know that we are proud of their hard work and perseverance, especially during these difficult times,” said TMCF CEO and former DSU President Harry Williams.

Graduating DSU senior Usman Tijani, whose mother has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said she is looking forward to the event.

“In an instant, I went from graduating senior trying to complete everything to get to the finish line, to head of household trying to take care of my son, little brother, and mother. As a Hornet for life, I’m looking forward to this year’s commencement and, more importantly, what happens next.”

 

 

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Joe Biden, Erykah Badu, Vanessa Williams, Tina Knowles-Lawson, and More to Deliver Virtual Commencement Speeches at This HBCU

The global COVID-19 pandemic has upended the economy, brought the nation to a standstill, and disrupted the lives of millions of people, including students. As a result, graduating seniors across the country will not be able to participate in milestone events like proms, senior class trips, and traditional graduation ceremonies. However, to help alleviate the disappointment, Delaware State University (DSU) has called on 25 cultural influencers—from hip-hop stars to a former Ms. America to a former vice president—to deliver a star-studded virtual commencement to remember.

The HBCU announced an all-star lineup of speakers who congratulate the class of 2020 during its May 16 virtual commencement celebration. A few of the notable guests include Joe Biden, Grammy-Award winning artist Erykah Badu, businesswoman Tina Knowles-Lawson, and actress Vanessa Williams. Other speakers include political commentator Angela Rye and Bryan Stevenson, the founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and the New York Times Best-Selling author of Just Mercy.

“When I confer degrees on the Class of 2020, it is more than a credential that will get them to their next goal. It is a reminder that each of them is now and always ever-present with us,” said Delaware State University President Tony Allen, reflecting on the commencement celebration in a statement to BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The University announced in March that students would receive their degrees in an online ceremony due to the coronavirus crisis. As a result, a team of faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University began planning the virtual celebration immediately.

“We knew better than to try to copy the traditional ceremony at Alumni Field,” said Dr. Francine Edwards, co-chair of the planning committee. “So we set out to create a memorable and surprising experience that the Class of 2020 will treasure forever as their own unique celebration.”

According to the statement, Nicole Dye-Anderson, a Delaware State alumna and Barclays Bank executive, played a major role in securing a number of featured guests. “DelState gave so much to me. Whatever I can do to show my appreciation will be done. I am proud to work for a company that knows the value of HBCUs and gives me the freedom to help showcase them around the world,” she said.

The University’s commencement, which will be broadcast on the ESSENCE Studios platform, will be followed by another virtual event sponsored by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), which will combine 75 HBCUs for a joint commencement ceremony.

“We are excited that graduates from our member-schools will receive the public recognition that they earned and deserve. This celebratory event is an effort to lift-up all HBCU students and to let them know that we are proud of their hard work and perseverance, especially during these difficult times,” said TMCF CEO and former DSU President Harry Williams.

Graduating DSU senior Usman Tijani, whose mother has been diagnosed with COVID-19, said she is looking forward to the event.

“In an instant, I went from graduating senior trying to complete everything to get to the finish line, to head of household trying to take care of my son, little brother, and mother. As a Hornet for life, I’m looking forward to this year’s commencement and, more importantly, what happens next.”

 

 

from Black Enterprise https://ift.tt/3dvOcQ8

Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, is dead at 59

Andre Harrell, the veteran music executive who founded the legendary Uptown Records, is reportedly dead at 59. His cause of death is not yet clear.

Harrell was best known for signing a young Sean “Diddy” Combs to his record label in the ’90s before serving as president and CEO of Motown Records.

Harrell’s death was first confirmed by DJ D-Nice while spinning during his Club Quarantine series on Instagram Live. theGrio has yet to confirm Harrell’s death, however, it has been confirmed by the official Twitter account of BET.

READ MORE: Andre Harrell dishes on how he helped take Diddy from shirtless ‘bad boy’ to music mogul

“#BETRemembers the legendary music exec Andre Harrell. It is with sadness that we must confirm he has passed away. Sending love to his family and all his fans. #AndreHarrell,” BET tweeted early Saturday morning.

#BETRemembers the legendary music exec Andre Harrell. It is with sadness that we must confirm he has passed away. Sending love to his family and all his fans. #AndreHarrell pic.twitter.com/gth6wxQRGm

— BET (@BET) May 9, 2020

Harrell, who was also known as one half of the hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde, gave Combs his first shot in music before the man then-known as Puff Daddy went on to become the music mogul he is today. Harrell hired a young Combs as an intern in 1990 and later promoted him as an A&R executive.

Before founding Uptown Records, the Bronx native worked with Russell Simmons at Def Jam Records. He was eventually promoted to vice president and general manager. Harrell later decided to part ways with Def Jam to launch a record label of his own.

Other legendary artists who got their start at Harrell’s Uptown Records was the Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie Smalls, and Mary J. Blige, who became the label’s first female artist. Harrell would later fire Combs who went on to found Bad Boy Records — taking Biggie with him.

(L-R) Andre Harrell, Mary J. Blige, and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs attend the ceremony honoring Mary J. Blige with a Star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame on on January 11, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Netflix)

“I had an artist in the building. Puff, as an executive was a very artistic guy … I started to branch out into movies and television … Puff wouldn’t listen to anybody but me,” Harrell told the Wall Street Journal in 2014 on firing Combs. “My full-time job became managing Puff.”

“For the whole time he was let go, he was always on payroll. I never stopped paying him until he found his next spot,” he added. “I didn’t do it to hurt him, but I knew it was time for him to grow.”

Harrell would later join MCA productions where he developed multiple projects in film and television throughout the 1990s, reports Variety. He returned to the music business full-time in 1995 as CEO of Motown Records. There he shepherded the careers of R&B greats like Boyz II Men and Johnny Gill. Harrell was also the vice chairman of Revolt, Combs’ multi-platform music network.

Following the news of his death, several celebrities took to Harrell’s Instagram page to issue messages of sorrow.

“Damn King,” Swizz Beatz commented on Harrell’s last Instagram post.

“Rest In Peace this is such a shock this year is brutal,” wrote singer Maxwell.

This story is still developing.

The post Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, is dead at 59 appeared first on TheGrio.

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