A Boston museum is establishing a diversity fund in the wake of claims that staff and patrons lobbed racist remarks at Black students visiting the building on a school trip.
The Museum of Fine Arts announced earlier this week that it would create a $500,000 fund for diversity. The state of Massachusetts is collaborating on the initiative to devote energy to and engage with local artists and communities of color, The New York Times reports.
Iván Espinoza-Madrigal, who heads Lawyers for Civil Rights in Boston, applauded the fund’s establishment.
“This agreement creates a unique blueprint for community engagement and dialogue about the importance of diversity, inclusion, and cultural competency in all cultural and public institutions so that they better reflect and respect the diverse populations they serve,” according to a statement.
Middle schoolers of Boston’s Helen Y. Davis Leadership Academy, a state charter school, were allegedly subjected to racist remarks more than a year ago while on a field trip. A student chaperone said that security staff had been paying more attention to Black students than white students. In addition, one student stated a museum staff member told them, “no food, no drink, no watermelon allowed.”
Not only had staff been accused of racist rhetoric toward the students, but museum patrons as well. Students were said to have overheard some of the visitors expressing that there were too many Black kids in the museum, while another apparently made a vulgar comment about a Black female student dancing in an interactive exhibit telling her to focus on dancing and not “stripping.”
Following the complaints, the museum conducted diversity training for staff and volunteers. The organization also created a new policy on anti-discrimination and anti-harassment.
Museum of Fine Arts Director Matthew Teitelbaum apologized to the students and Academy for their experience soon after it happened.
“There’s nothing more important to us than making sure everyone feels welcome at the M.F.A.,” Teitelbaum said. “Whether you walk through the doors of the museum every day, every week, once a year, or just once, everyone is welcome at the M.F.A.”
Marvelyne Lamy, the teacher and chaperone on the trip, also applauded the creation of the fund, but is unlikely to take students back to the museum.
“There are other institutions that I can fully support that would welcome me in without any hesitation,” she told TheNew York Times.
Rapper Tekashi69 wasted little time addressing his detractors following his release from prison.
The controversial Brooklyn artist hopped on his Instagram Live on Friday to set the record straight about his prison release, new music and the reason he snitched in court.
As reported by The New York Times, 6ix9ine went on a 13-minute rant streamed by 2 million viewers, a record on the social networking app, boasting about being more successful than ever before.
“You know why people so mad? Because they thought it was over for me,” 6ix9ine stated in the stream. “They counted me out. ‘Oh, you ratted, it’s over for you.’ Y’all could never cooperate with the government and come back. Y’all could never do that. I’m a living legend at the age of 24.”
6ix9ine has received backlash and ridicule for testifying his way out of a lengthy prison sentence. Facing 37 years in jail on federal charges including racketeering, he was sentenced to just two years after cooperating with prosecutors and provided information about the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
But he was unbothered by his critics.
“I snitched; I ratted, but who was I supposed to be loyal to?” the rapper said.
6ix9ine, who is asthmatic, was granted early release in April when his legal team expressed concern of contracting coronavirus. He gained prominence thanks to his Instagram presence, presenting heavy tattoos and a multi-color hairstyle, and music that glorified a life of crime and mischief.
He released his new song and video, “Gooba,” before going on his live stream.
There’s more than one type of front-line worker nowadays amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And there’s certainly more than one hero. To honor some of the hero’s many call mom, Portal from Facebook launched a new campaign honoring moms on the front lines—those at work and those sheltering-in-place at home.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, we were able to touch base remotely with two brave women in the medical field who are showing up for their communities and their families as front-line workers who have been spotlighted by Facebook. Dr. Kiarra King, MD, is a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, and Dr. Dianah T. Lake, MD, an emergency medicine doctor, are mothers who have dedicated their careers to helping others and promoting wellness.
As COVID-19 impacts the world as we know it, these mothers share the ways in which they show up for others and stay motivated.
Mother’s on the Front Lines
Tell us more about you and your work! What has it been like showing up for others?
Dr. Lake: It’s been very rewarding to show compassion and care for people when they are experiencing medical emergencies. People typically show up in the ER in the least preferred condition, they are sometimes having a stroke, heart attack, miscarriage, domestic violence, intoxicated or in severe pain from a broken bone, infection, or some other inflammatory process. In recent weeks, most people are concerned that they may be infected with the coronavirus. My job is to evaluate, test, diagnose, and treat them in the most effective way.
Dr. Dianah Lake, MD (Image: Dr. Lake)
Dr. King: My mission in life and professionally is to educate and empower women to live their most optimal lives. I am grateful to have a platform that allows me to share tips for healthy living and give insight to living outside of the box! I’m currently home with my little one amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This has allowed me to continue to create content in the women’s health space. I have participated in social media partnerships with colleagues and local media that raises awareness on black maternal health, coronavirus myths, and more. It’s important that I use my voice for good in times that are uncertain for many.
Has motherhood inspired you during this time? If so, how?!
Dr. Lake: Absolutely. Since my boys are not staying with me during this time, I’ve created new ways to stay connected with them. Video chats are fun, we are also reading books together over the phone. I’m a quality time person, so I’m finding new ways for quality time with them. I visited with my son at the park last weekend and saw him in-person for the first time in 6 weeks. It’s been difficult not having my kids at home with me, but their safety is more important. I’ve become even more grateful for my boys and the wonderful times we’ve shared as a family during this time in the absence.
Dr. King (Image: Courtesy of Dr. King)
Dr. King: Being a mom during this pandemic has absolutely inspired me. My daughter, Kai, is 4 and is as inquisitive and bright as they come. She understands that due to the coronavirus we can not operate in our normal fashion. She misses her teachers, friends, and all of her activities; she had quite a busy weekly schedule including ballet, gymnastics, and swimming before the shelter in place orders took effect. Through it all, she has remained beautifully resilient. Her spirit is contagious. That alone inspires me to do all I can to make this moment in history one that she remembers in a positive light. We have had so much spontaneous fun during this time. We’ve taken impromptu field trips to see deer at a local forest preserve.
We’ve been exploring new recipes and even started a garden! Kai recently gave me a “mommy makeover,” it was quite interesting but she had a ball! I’ve always valued education for myself and Kai and love providing opportunities for her to learn and grow. As a result of school closures, I’ve had to push myself into the formal role of a teacher. The way her mind works inspires and challenges me to create new ways to teach her materials. It’s quite rewarding to see her flourish in spite of the circumstances. Her innocence and infective energy are a constant reminder to be grateful for every moment big and small.
Filling Your Cup
What keeps you motivated?
Dr. Lake: Providing a person with emergent medical care and pain management goes a long way. They leave with immediate gratification and mediation for their condition, and I feel like I’ve made a difference in someone’s life experience. It’s a beautiful exchange. This motivates me to continue working and providing quality care to patients in the community.
Dr. King: My faith in God, hope, my family, friends, and even patients keep me motivated. Knowing I am on this earth for a purpose keeps me motivated. I know there are great things in store for me, there are an abundance of opportunities with my name on them and rooms that are waiting for me to enter and bloom. I know that my purpose in life is connected to someone else’s destiny; so, I’m driven to continue to excel because a life literally depends on it. Even in our darkest times, life is always giving if we pay attention, it’s really a beautiful thing.
We See You
What message of encouragement do you have for other moms on the frontlines?
Dr. Lake: In addition to my ER practice, I am also a fitness, wellness, and weight loss coach. I’ve used my holistic self-care practices as a fitness coach to successfully get through this time.
I’d encourage front-line moms to make self-care a top priority. Attend to your emotional and spiritual well-being. Get adequate sleep, eat healthy nutritious foods, exercise regularly 4 to 5 days a week, stay well hydrated, get support from other moms, friends, romantic partners, and family members, improve your gut health and immune system with probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods and drinks, meditate, read a book, pray, be grateful for the good that’s still happening in our lives and appreciate all that is still working in our lives. Self-care is essential for frontline workers, making it a priority is self-preservation. Stay well so you can continue to share your gifts with the world.
Dr. Lake and her sons (Image: Courtesy of Dr. Lake)
Dr. King: To my colleagues, the times in which we now live are unprecedented for most of us. When we went to medical school and ultimately residency to train for our respective specialties, we probably never thought “front line” would describe our jobs. The shift that has taken place in the world has impacted every fiber of our being. Some of you are spending extended periods away from your families to protect them. Others have ventured into telehealth visits while homeschooling little ones in between calls. It’s not what you signed up for but you always persist against the odds.
So, in times like these, show yourself some grace. It’s OK to be scared. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to put your needs first, although as physicians and moms we are so used to prioritizing everyone else. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. So, as you refill your cup, remember it’s OK to laugh and look forward to the future with hope. I see you, momma, you are not alone in this. If no one has told you, you are needed, you are vital, and you are loved. We will get through this, we will come out on the other side.
To all of the mothers on the frontlines at work and home, BLACK ENTERPRISE wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day!
Vanessa Bryant has filed a legal claim against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for unauthorized photos of helicopter wreckage that claimed the lives of her daughter, GiGi Bryant, and husband, Kobe Bryant, earlier this year.
The widow of the late Los Angeles Lakers legend filed the suit on Friday, according to People. At least eight sheriff’s deputies are said to have taken graphic photos of the crash scene and its nine victims, which were then shared with others. Two LA firefighters were also told to delete images they had taken.
Bryant is seeking damages for mental anguish and emotional distress.
The claim documents that the National Transportation Safety Board and county coroners’ office were the only parties authorized to take photos of the scene. The deputies had “no investigative purpose” to take the photos and did so “for their own personal purposes,” according to the suit.
Gianna Bryant and her father, former NBA player Kobe Bryant, attend the WNBA All-Star Game 2019 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 27, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Mrs. Bryant spoke with Sheriff Alex Villanueva the morning of the crash to personally request privacy. However, the existence of the photos was reported by several news outlets by February 28, more than a month after the tragic incident.
“When a family suffers the loss of loved ones, they have the right to expect that they will be treated with dignity and respect,” a Bryant family spokesperson told the magazine. “The Deputies in this case betrayed that sacred trust. This claim is intended to hold the Sheriff’s Department accountable and to prevent future misconduct.”
There’s more than one type of front-line worker nowadays amid the COVID-19 pandemic. And there’s certainly more than one hero. To honor some of the hero’s many call mom, Portal from Facebook launched a new campaign honoring moms on the front lines—those at work and those sheltering-in-place at home.
Just in time for Mother’s Day, we were able to touch base remotely with two brave women in the medical field who are showing up for their communities and their families as front-line workers who have been spotlighted by Facebook. Dr. Kiarra King, MD, is a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, and Dr. Dianah T. Lake, MD, an emergency medicine doctor, are mothers who have dedicated their careers to helping others and promoting wellness.
As COVID-19 impacts the world as we know it, these mothers share the ways in which they show up for others and stay motivated.
Mother’s on the Front Lines
Tell us more about you and your work! What has it been like showing up for others?
Dr. Lake: It’s been very rewarding to show compassion and care for people when they are experiencing medical emergencies. People typically show up in the ER in the least preferred condition, they are sometimes having a stroke, heart attack, miscarriage, domestic violence, intoxicated or in severe pain from a broken bone, infection, or some other inflammatory process. In recent weeks, most people are concerned that they may be infected with the coronavirus. My job is to evaluate, test, diagnose, and treat them in the most effective way.
Dr. Dianah Lake, MD (Image: Dr. Lake)
Dr. King: My mission in life and professionally is to educate and empower women to live their most optimal lives. I am grateful to have a platform that allows me to share tips for healthy living and give insight to living outside of the box! I’m currently home with my little one amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This has allowed me to continue to create content in the women’s health space. I have participated in social media partnerships with colleagues and local media that raises awareness on black maternal health, coronavirus myths, and more. It’s important that I use my voice for good in times that are uncertain for many.
Has motherhood inspired you during this time? If so, how?!
Dr. Lake: Absolutely. Since my boys are not staying with me during this time, I’ve created new ways to stay connected with them. Video chats are fun, we are also reading books together over the phone. I’m a quality time person, so I’m finding new ways for quality time with them. I visited with my son at the park last weekend and saw him in-person for the first time in 6 weeks. It’s been difficult not having my kids at home with me, but their safety is more important. I’ve become even more grateful for my boys and the wonderful times we’ve shared as a family during this time in the absence.
Dr. King (Image: Courtesy of Dr. King)
Dr. King: Being a mom during this pandemic has absolutely inspired me. My daughter, Kai, is 4 and is as inquisitive and bright as they come. She understands that due to the coronavirus we can not operate in our normal fashion. She misses her teachers, friends, and all of her activities; she had quite a busy weekly schedule including ballet, gymnastics, and swimming before the shelter in place orders took effect. Through it all, she has remained beautifully resilient. Her spirit is contagious. That alone inspires me to do all I can to make this moment in history one that she remembers in a positive light. We have had so much spontaneous fun during this time. We’ve taken impromptu field trips to see deer at a local forest preserve.
We’ve been exploring new recipes and even started a garden! Kai recently gave me a “mommy makeover,” it was quite interesting but she had a ball! I’ve always valued education for myself and Kai and love providing opportunities for her to learn and grow. As a result of school closures, I’ve had to push myself into the formal role of a teacher. The way her mind works inspires and challenges me to create new ways to teach her materials. It’s quite rewarding to see her flourish in spite of the circumstances. Her innocence and infective energy are a constant reminder to be grateful for every moment big and small.
Filling Your Cup
What keeps you motivated?
Dr. Lake: Providing a person with emergent medical care and pain management goes a long way. They leave with immediate gratification and mediation for their condition, and I feel like I’ve made a difference in someone’s life experience. It’s a beautiful exchange. This motivates me to continue working and providing quality care to patients in the community.
Dr. King: My faith in God, hope, my family, friends, and even patients keep me motivated. Knowing I am on this earth for a purpose keeps me motivated. I know there are great things in store for me, there are an abundance of opportunities with my name on them and rooms that are waiting for me to enter and bloom. I know that my purpose in life is connected to someone else’s destiny; so, I’m driven to continue to excel because a life literally depends on it. Even in our darkest times, life is always giving if we pay attention, it’s really a beautiful thing.
We See You
What message of encouragement do you have for other moms on the frontlines?
Dr. Lake: In addition to my ER practice, I am also a fitness, wellness, and weight loss coach. I’ve used my holistic self-care practices as a fitness coach to successfully get through this time.
I’d encourage front-line moms to make self-care a top priority. Attend to your emotional and spiritual well-being. Get adequate sleep, eat healthy nutritious foods, exercise regularly 4 to 5 days a week, stay well hydrated, get support from other moms, friends, romantic partners, and family members, improve your gut health and immune system with probiotics and anti-inflammatory foods and drinks, meditate, read a book, pray, be grateful for the good that’s still happening in our lives and appreciate all that is still working in our lives. Self-care is essential for frontline workers, making it a priority is self-preservation. Stay well so you can continue to share your gifts with the world.
Dr. Lake and her sons (Image: Courtesy of Dr. Lake)
Dr. King: To my colleagues, the times in which we now live are unprecedented for most of us. When we went to medical school and ultimately residency to train for our respective specialties, we probably never thought “front line” would describe our jobs. The shift that has taken place in the world has impacted every fiber of our being. Some of you are spending extended periods away from your families to protect them. Others have ventured into telehealth visits while homeschooling little ones in between calls. It’s not what you signed up for but you always persist against the odds.
So, in times like these, show yourself some grace. It’s OK to be scared. It’s OK to cry. It’s OK to ask for help. It’s OK to put your needs first, although as physicians and moms we are so used to prioritizing everyone else. As the saying goes, you can’t pour from an empty cup. So, as you refill your cup, remember it’s OK to laugh and look forward to the future with hope. I see you, momma, you are not alone in this. If no one has told you, you are needed, you are vital, and you are loved. We will get through this, we will come out on the other side.
To all of the mothers on the frontlines at work and home, BLACK ENTERPRISE wishes you a Happy Mother’s Day!
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