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November 2022

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Inspire, Inform & Educate

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183rd Edition

Charlene Taylor Promotes Self-Love & Sisterhood Through Sexy Diva World, Inc.

10, 11

INSIDE

32

2023 Top 50 Black Professionals & Entrepreneurs

23

Dr. Tara T. Green Founding Chair of the University of Houston Department of African American Studies.

08

TSU Regent Presents at United Nations “Diaspora for Development” Event

2 | November 2022

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November 2022 | 3

PUBLISHER’S MESSAGE

MR. D-MARS CERTIFIED:

HMSDC

d-mars.com is proud to continue our partnership with the community, publishing positive content and success stories promoting the advancement of our African American businesses and civic and community leaders.

This month’s cover story highlights Charlene Taylor, the founder, owner, and CEO of Sexy Diva World, Inc. Charlene, through Sexy Diva World, is helping women of all ages and single moms worldwide in a trusted space to unleash their feminine power with specifically

Port of Houston

ART DIRECTOR Angel Rosa DIGITAL MARKETING MANAGER Erick Fontejon SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR Bria Casteel SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR Lindsey Ford ASSISTANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE Tiffany Brown PHOTOGRAPHY Grady Carter L.C. Poullard DISTRIBUTION Mike Jones CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Stacy M. Brown Marla Lewis d-mars.com

City of Houston

HISD

CONTENTS COVER STORY Charlene Taylor Promotes Self-Love & Sisterhood Through Sexy Diva World, Inc.a

PUBLISHER & CEO Keith J. Davis, Sr.

ACCOUNTING MANAGER Eugenie Doualla

—Oprah Winfrey, American talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist

METRO

BEHIND THE JOURNAL

CHIEF OF STAFF & MANAGING EDITOR Kimberly Floyd

“You need friends that are happy in their own lives so that they can actually be authentically happy for you.”

designed programs for the needs of the whole woman.

Her platform is strategic in helping women discover self-love and connecting them to a genuine circle of like-minded women for their health and well-being. She is known as “The Liberian Lioness,” committed to spreading love, inspiring, and empowering women worldwide to discover their authentic selves.

As always, thank you for your continued support of d-mars.com, progressing our publication’s efforts to highlight the communities in which we serve, live, and work.

Partnering together, we succeed in making positive things happen.

10, 11 04 BUSINESS 04 New Survey: What Does It Take To Become a Successful Entrepreneur?

04 Vice President Harris Announces Slate of Actions To Help Black and Minority-Owned Small Businesses 05 Want To Leave a Lasting Legacy? Don’t Delay Succession Planning 06 COMMUNITY 06 Coalition Kicks off Votercade With Goal of 10 Million More Black Voters 06 New Poll: Black Voters Overwhelmingly Support Student Debt Forgiveness

16 Ensuring Every Child in America Has Access To Healthy School Meals 17 Idhini Platform Changing Clinical Trial Participation in BIPOC Communities One Study at a Time 18 Pain Management Options for Youth Sports Injuries 19 President Biden Announces Fix To Family Glitch in Obamacare Subsidies 22 FINANCE 22 Pandemic Make You More Concerned About Finances?

You’re Not Alone

08 EDUCATION & CAREER 08 Addressing the National Shortage of Cybersecurity Talent 08 TSU Regent Presents at United Nations “Diaspora for Development” Event 12 College 2030: New Study Finds Key Insights Into How College Is Changing 23 Dr. Tara T. Green, African Amrican Studies

24 REAL ESTATE 24 Application Fraud Is Exploding Nationwide 30 TECHNOLOGY 30 How 5G Fixed Wireless Access is Bridging the Digital Divide

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4 | November 2022 BUSINESS

New Survey: What Does It Take To Become a Successful Entrepreneur? modern entrepreneurs have made the most positive impact on society?"

By d-mars.com News Provider

I

f you're asked for names of well-known entrepreneurs, a few obvious contenders might come to mind, like Bill Gates or Steve Jobs. A recent survey asked questions about who are the most successful entrepreneurs - revealing insights into what people think it takes to make it big.

In the new survey, commissioned by Herbalife Nutrition, respondents were first asked to identify entrepreneurs they felt were the "greatest of all time." Historical luminaries like Henry Ford, Alexander Graham Bell, and Thomas Edison were featured multiple times in their answers. Interestingly, the survey found that nearly half of the respondents (48%) believed modern entrepreneurs are more influential than their historical counterparts were, while only one-fifth (20%) believed that modern entrepreneurs are actually less influential.

How can you identify people who are top entrepreneurs? One result is clear: from their innovations that make a difference in the lives of others.

"Entrepreneurs change our world for the better with their out-of-thebox thinking," said Ibi Montesino, executive vice president of distributor and customer experience at Herbalife Nutrition. "And their inventions have a great impact on our lives and society."

Regarding today's best-known entrepreneurs, here are the top 10 names that came up in answer to the question: "Which

* Bill Gates (founder of Microsoft, co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) - 21% * Jeff Bezos (Amazon founder) - 18% * Steve Jobs (co-founder of Apple) - 18% * Elon Musk (founder of SpaceX, CEO of Tesla) - 17% * Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) - 17% * Oprah Winfrey (co-founder of Oxygen, founder of O, The Oprah Magazine) - 15% * Melinda Gates (co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) - 14% * Sam Walton (Walmart and Sam's Club founder) - 13% * Larry Page (Google co-founder) - 12% * Ted Turner (CNN founder) - 11%

While many of these are household names, there are countless other Americans who make a real-life impact through their entrepreneurial efforts every day, whether they are groundbreakers in terms of building their own small businesses, helping their communities, creating something new, or simply using their energy and talents to provide for themselves and their families.

What does it take to become a top entrepreneur?

The survey also asked what is most important when it comes to entrepreneurial success.

The top two results showed that each entrepreneur's personal accomplishments (24%) and contributions to society (22%) mattered most.

And when asked what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, the most popular responses were that it required specific

character traits (19%), having one "great idea" (15%) and a commitment to hard work (14%).

Character traits that matter When asked to clarify what specific character traits were considered vital for being a successful entrepreneur, these were the four top contenders: * Creativity * Intelligence * Confidence * Motivation

Perhaps the most surprising result of the survey was that nearly half (45%) reported having their own aims to become an entrepreneur - and 42% of them said they believed they had what it takes to be successful in that endeavor, claiming to have a "big" idea that they could turn into a successful business. Perhaps the secret to entrepreneurial success is combining ideas, creativity, and passion, with hard work, in addition to gaining strength from the support of family, friends, and colleagues.

"While there are numerous character traits that go into making a successful entrepreneur, the ones we work with, day in and day out, all have a common theme: they demonstrate a commitment to hard work and surround themselves with a supportive community," added Montesino.

Source: BPT

BUSINESS

Vice President Harris Announces Slate of Actions To Help

Black and Minority-Owned Small Businesses

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

V

ice President Kamala Harris used her time at Freedman’s Bank Forum to announce new public and private-sector efforts to advance racial equity.

Harris said the administration recognizes the continued difficulty that Blackowned businesses have in finding funding.

She acknowledged that they routinely are the first to suffer during an economic downturn.

Among a slate of new actions by the Biden-Harris administration, the vice president announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) would propose a rule this fall to expand its lender base by lifting the moratorium on new Small Business Lending Companies.

The action would allow new lenders to apply for a license to offer SBA-backed 7(a) small business loans.

Also, the Minority Business Development

Agency (MDBA) will issue a $100 million notice of funding opportunity to provide technical assistance grants for entrepreneurship technical assistance providers to help businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals launch, scale, and connect with growth capital.

Harris said to facilitate greater availability of small-balance mortgages, HUD would issue requests to solicit specific and actionable feedback on the barriers that prevent the origination of these mortgages and recommendations for increasing the volume of small-mortgage loans in federal programs.

The White House said these and a host of other new policy steps follow two recent announcements by the administration of billions of dollars in investments for Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs).

The actions aim to deliver capital and resources to underserved small businesses and the community lenders who serve them, Harris stated.

“Small businesses are the engines of our economy and the path to economic prosperity for countless Americans in underserved communities,” the vice president asserted.

“C om mu nit y lenders – including CDFIs, MDIs, and others – are vital to unlocking the full economic potential of these communities, turning previously sidelined talent into a source of economic growth and shared prosperity for all.”

Earlier, Janet Yellen, the U.S. Department of Treasury secretary, said the White House sought to use the Freedman’s Bank Forum to shine a spotlight on how the administration’s pandemic relief efforts supported Black – and minority-owned businesses.

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The forum, launched in 2015, seeks to develop strategies to help stamp out and overcome systemic racism in the financial industry.

“Unfortunately, for too long, the small business ecosystem in underserved communities has struggled to keep up with better-funded businesses and entrepreneurs in more prosperous communities,” Harris stated.

“Entrepreneurs of color regularly report being turned away by traditional financial institutions for loans at higher rates than their white counterparts.

And the community lenders committed to filling that gap similarly report that shortfalls in capital and technical capacity limit their ability to invest in the communities that need them the most.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

November 2022 | 5 BUSINESS

Want To Leave a Lasting Legacy? Don’t Delay Succession Planning By d-mars.com News Provider

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ou've worked hard to build your business, pouring your heart and soul into its success. You've had to tackle complex problems and sometimes make tough decisions. It's not always clear which choices are best when running a business, but there is one thing you know for sure: thoughtful planning always pays off.

The same is true when it comes to the legacy of your business.

Whether you are a few years or a few decades away from stepping down, it's essential to plan ahead. You want to leave your business on your terms and achieve the outcomes you desire, which is why succession planning shouldn't be delayed. A formal exit strategy ensures your wishes are followed, whether that be family transfer, sale, employee buyout, or another path.

You may have thought about succession planning, but because you're busy, you've put it off or simply don't know where to begin. You are not alone. More than 70% of business owners fail to put a strategic, written plan into place.

The truth is no one knows when the day will come when they can no longer run their business. Delaying the critical task of succession planning typically leaves the burden to the family, who may be unprepared and therefore make uninformed decisions that impact the business and your legacy. Essentially, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

At Pinion, we have seen firsthand the costly damage caused by a lack of planning, including undervaluing

assets, misappropriating funds, and excessive tax implications. These are all examples of costly financial implications, but what can be even more devastating can't be boiled down to a number, such as when brand reputations are damaged, employee relations are diminished and family trust is destroyed.

Succession planning is primarily for when you plan to exit the business, but it can be an important legal tool at any time. One of the most memorable moments of my career was advocating for a $30 million family business serving as an expert witness in a case stopping the former son-in-law from taking a large share of family assets. The judge ruled in favor of the family because of the particularly clear terms in the succession-plan strategy the family created.

Planning now matters When is the right time to plan? It's never too early. We recommend no less than five years in order to properly designate, determine and develop a successor under your governance. Wondering where to begin? The process starts with a few discovery questions:* Who will be your successor? * How much is your business worth? * How much do you need to retire? * When do you hope to transition? * What's next for you?

These questions will help form the foundation of your succession plan. To help guide you, consider the following components of any solid exit strategy: 1. Succession: The first

step should include a path of discovery, which defines your vision for the business and the legacy you want to leave. This defines what will happen to the business that you've given so much to develop. It identifies future leadership and determines the progression, communication with family, and goals for every step of the journey.

2. Transition: A transition plan defines important components of timing and includes steps implemented in a strategic manner to reach your long-term goals. A succession plan consultant provides expert insight into planning in regard to financial benefits, maximizing assets and minimizing risks, and all other considerations surrounding the future sale, purchase, or transition of the business.

3. Estate: A good estate plan includes business and personal financial strategies that optimize inheritance, gifting, and entity structures while decreasing tax burden and protecting assets. It involves setting up plans that will complement legacy and transition strategies through the increase of wealth.

4. Legacy: Lastly, the legacy plan is the development and deployment of your long-term goals. How do you envision life after departure from the business?

Furthermore, how can you protect this vision from the unexpected? This includes the accumulation and management of wealth, as well as meeting your retirement lifestyle goals, and accounting for life's uncertainties and risks.

Pinion Next Generation planning isn't just about the transition, it's about enriching your legacy. For additional insight visit PinionGlobal.com.

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Source: BPT Written by: Kevin Bearley, Next Gen business strategist at Pinion, formerly KCoe Isom

6 | November 2022 COMMUNITY

Coalition Kicks off Votercade With Goal of

10 Million More Black Voters By d-mars.com News Provider

The bar is set high: 10 million more Black voters.

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hat’s the goal as the Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC), the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), Rainbow Push, the Hip Hop Caucus, and others set out on a bus tour across the nation to blunt voter suppression and misinformation ahead of the all-important midterm elections.

“The buses are rolling … Minneapolis is the first stop,” declared Barbara Arnwine, the president and founder of the TJC, an organization known for its contributions to critical justice issues.

“We believe voting is a celebration,” Arnwine continued during a lively news conference at the Press Club in Washington, D.C. The conference included remarks by Attorney Daryl Jones, NNPA President, and CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., Rainbow Push Coalition Executive Director Bishop Tavis Grant, Black Voters Matter Co-Founder Cliff Albright, African American Policy Forum Executive Director Kimberlé Crenshaw, National Organization of Concerned Black Men CEO Dr. Karen McRae, Virginia K. Solomón of the League of Women Voters, and Hip Hop Caucus Executive Director Attorney Tanya Clay House.

“We want people to celebrate when they vote,” Arnwine insisted.

“We call it a celebration for every time we do a votercade. We have a Celebration Village.”

Arnwine said in one city; the mayor informed the

coalition that voter turnout doubled after the votercade visited.

“We went to another area in the poorest zip code in Milwaukee – one of the poorest in the nation,” Arnwine continued.

“They had such a small polling site and didn’t expect anyone to turn out. But, when we finished, they had more people vote in that one day after the votercade than typically during the entire early voting season.”

Chavis, who has pushed the hashtag #10millionmoreblackvoters, reminded everyone that the midterms were just a few weeks ago.

With photos of the late Georgia Democratic Rep. John Lewis blanketing the Press Club for the news conference, Chavis called the coalition’s mission good trouble.

“We are going to all the major states, places where we know we can make a difference,” Chavis declared.

“This tour is designed to make sure we awaken a lot of the sleeping giants in our community.”

He continued: “We believe that we can get 10 million more Black voters. That’s a large number, but we believe that number could make a difference. Democracy is on the ballot on November 8. Racial justice is on the ballot on November 8. Climate justice is on the ballot, environmental justice is on the ballot, economic justice, and equity is on the ballot, and preventing far right-wing groups from banning votes is on the ballot.”

Arnwine added that the 25-city Arc of Voter Justice Tour is designed to ensure everyone understands that citizens’ right to vote is their voice.

During the votercade, participants will register to vote and check their voting eligibility while enjoying good food, music, games, and banned books as the coalition seek to transform voting and the voting experience.

“A great democracy does not make it harder to vote than it is to get an assault weapon,” Bishop Grant demanded.

“What is so dangerous about Black and Brown people who vote? What’s so dangerous about standing in line with a bottle of water or food or showing up early to vote?”

The Bishop said the danger is that “it shifts the power scale, and the have-nots have an opportunity to have their fair share.”

“A right is not something someone gives you. It’s something that someone cannot take away from you.

That’s what this is about. It’s about restoring the right and the dignity of the voter. If your vote didn’t matter, suppression wouldn’t try to suffocate it. We need 10 million more voters.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

COMMUNITY

New Poll: Black Voters Overwhelmingly Support Student Debt Forgiveness

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

espite lawsuits from Republicans and other opponents, President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan appears a hit with Black voters.

HIT Strategies, which bills itself as the only millennial and minority-owned public opinion research company, found that the approval ratings for both Biden and Congressional Democrats increased by 79% to 82%, respectively, after the loan forgiveness announcement.

Researchers show 56% of Black voters believe Biden has made progress on issues affecting Black voters, an increase of 12 points since July.

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Fielded via an online opt-in panel from September 15-19 (with a margin of error of +/-3.1%), the survey revealed that 86% of Black voters supported President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan, including 60% who “strongly supported” the policy.

“President Biden’s loan forgiveness plan represents another promise fulfilled on one of the most critical economic priorities for Black voters,” Terrance Woodbury, a founding partner at HIT Strategies, said in a statement.

“Now, the President must message this plan directly to voters and continue to illustrate how his policies are improving the economic well-being of Black America,” Woodbury stated.

An estimated 165,900 borrowers from the District of Columbia are eligible for student debt relief under President Joe Biden’s recent loan forgiveness plan, including 60,300 Pell Grant recipients.

In Virginia, 965,100 borrowers are eligible for relief, including 566,500 Pell Grant recipients. In Maryland, 747,100 enjoy eligibility, including 419,400 Pell Grant recipients.

State-by-state data released last month by the U.S. Department of Education estimated that more than 40 million borrowers nationwide could benefit from the

student debt relief plan, and nearly 20 million might see their remaining balance discharged.

In August, Biden announced his plan to forgive borrowers up to $10,000 in debt relief and up to $20,000 for Pell Grant recipients.

“The Biden Administration’s student debt relief plan will help borrowers and families recover from the pandemic and prepare to resume student loan payments in January 2023,” administration officials stated.

They said about 90% of relief dollars would go to those earning less than $75,000 per year – and no relief would go to any individual or household in the top 5% of incomes in the United States.

Officials said by targeting relief to borrowers with the highest economic need, the administration’s actions are also likely

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to help narrow the racial wealth gap.

The White House noted that nearly 71% of Black undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients, and 65% of Latino undergraduate borrowers are Pell Grant recipients.

Moreover, HIT Strategies said Biden’s plan should help Democrats in the Nov. 8 midterm elections.

Researchers found that the number of Black voters who say they will vote in the midterm elections increased from 79% to 82% since last month.

Further, the number of Black voters who believe their vote has the power to effect change on the issues that matter to them increased from 64% to 67% since last month.

“During the campaign, President Biden promised to provide student debt relief,” administration officials said.

“The Biden Administration is following through on that promise and providing families breathing room as they prepare to start re-paying loans after the economic crisis brought on by the pandemic.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

November 2022 | 7

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8 | November 2022 EDUCATION & CAREER

EDUCATION & CAREER

Addressing the National Shortage of

Cybersecurity Talent companies will continue to be vulnerable to these attacks."

By d-mars.com News Provider

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here's an urgent need for the United States to invest in cybersecurity infrastructure and safeguard it from potential threats. Domestically and abroad, society has seen a triple-digit increase in cybersecurity attacks that have disrupted mass telecommunication companies, been used as a tactic in the Russia-Ukraine war, and held financial firms hostage with their own information.

Cyber incidents are becoming more sophisticated and are targeting organizations of all sizes, especially those that work with personal information. Los Angeles Unified School District, the second largest school district in the nation, was targeted in a ransomware attack on its information-technology infrastructure, Uber was the victim of a data breach after cybercriminals compromised the Slack account of an employee in early September, the Red Cross experienced a security breach that compromised the personal data of those the organization seeks to help and DoorDash experienced a cyberattack that exposed customers' personal information.

Unfortunately, U.S. businesses and organizations struggle to prepare for these threats in part because of a shortage of skilled cyber workers. This underscores the importance of cultivating new talent through education, upskilling, and reskilling to develop the expertise required to protect and defend our data and systems.

The national talent shortage has been driven by a lack of employee training and access to cybersecurity careers.

It is estimated that there are approximately 700,000 cybersecurity jobs yet to be filled in the U.S. At the same time, the cybersecurity sector continues to be shaped by rapid technological change, thus requiring skill sets that constantly need to be updated. Many academic institutions aren't able to adapt their programming to quickly develop a pool of skilled cyber workers.

Without ongoing upskilling and training by their employers, IT professionals can't keep up and properly protect their organizations.

"Cyberattacks affect our day-to-day lives, our economy, and our national security. The number of unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide grew 350% between 2013 and 2021," said DeVry University's Chief Information Security Officer, Fred Kwong. "Higher education institutions and businesses must ensure that cybersecurity education and career pathways are available to everyone. Without talent to quickly fill these roles,

A recent Aspen Institute report estimates that only 4% of cybersecurity workers identify as Hispanic, while 9% identify as Black, and 24% as women, which highlights cybersecurity's diversity gap. Creating access to and awareness of cybersecurity career pathways through methods like flexible programming, mentorship programs, and corporate partnerships - would not only support a diverse talent pipeline but would also help fill the high volume of job openings the nation currently faces.

The current cybersecurity landscape presents a unique opportunity to augment a skilled pool of talent.

It is incumbent upon academic institutions, companies, and government agencies to place increased emphasis on cybersecurity education and skills-based pathways to create a talent pool that is cyber-savvy.

There has never been a more appropriate time to invest in upskilling employees and arming students with the knowledge and access they need to advance in cyber career pathways.

DeVry University seeks to bridge the talent gap by offering new ways to anyone with an interest in the cybersecurity field to access academic opportunities through agile education and initiatives. Recognizing the critical need for cybersecurity talent, DeVry created the Future Cyber Defenders Scholars Program and scholarship to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals with training and networking opportunities, and it launched a Nonprofit Cyber Grant Program, which will help nonprofits in Atlanta upskill their employees in cybersecurity.

Our ability to combat attacks on data and infrastructure will only be strengthened through dedicated investment by employers and educators in cybersecurity training and talent development. With the increasing number of cyberattacks on all types of organizations, there is a growing need for well-prepared cyber talent.

To foster cyber resiliency and expand the current talent pool, it's critical to develop trained professionals who remain proficient through upskilling, up-to-date academic programming, and accessible education.

TSU Regent Presents at United Nations “Diaspora for Development” Event By d-mars.com News Provider

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SU Regent Ron Price, of Dallas, presented recently at the "Diaspora for Development: Leveraging Africa's Sixth Region to Realize the Continent's Promise," hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union, and the Office of HBCU Development.

Price's presentation was part of a panel discussion called "Academic Perspectives," in conjunction with Dr. Fikru Boghossian of Morgan State University and Dr. Lamin Drammeh of South Carolina State University.

The panel focused on the International Distance Learning Initiative (IDLI). The goal of IDLI, which includes TSU and several other HBCUs, is to ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning, and strengthen academic and sociocultural goals among universities across the African continent and beyond to advance educational outcomes for all persons of African descent. Through IDLI, distance learning courses taught by professors at HBCUs are accessible to universities across Africa.

The panel, which was available both in person (at The Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations in New York City, NY) and virtually, addressed questions such as: • What are some positive lessons learned from the IDLI initiative in the past three years?

• How can the IDLI be improved for the future?

• Is it possible to scale it up (with more HBCUs and students) and if so, how?

• How can HBCUs and UNDP broaden their collaboration on educational support to Africa?

For more information on the UNDP's work involving Africa, visit www.undp.org/africa.

Source: BPT

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Source: Texas Southern University

November 2022 | 9

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10 | November 2022

Sexy Diva World, Inc. is helping women all over the world understand that they can create their dream life.

This movement helps women understand that self-love is sexy!

Women have access to a whole new world when they love themselves, and our programs help them understand that self-love is a choice. Beneath all the layers of hurt, betrayal, disappointment, selfsabotage, and feelings of isolation is a Sexy Diva waiting to be unleashed. I welcome all women to join this movement!

—Charlene Taylor, the founder, owner, and CEO of Sexy Diva World, Inc.

HELP WOM Release, Tr

Emerge & T By d-mars.com News Provider

W

e hear the term “women’s empowerment,” but do we really stand on it? Backbiting, catfights, and jealousy seem to be the norm depicted on reality TV and in the media when it comes to women and their circles. But Charlene Taylor, the founder, owner, and CEO of Sexy Diva World, Inc., successfully leads this global movement for women that is changing the negative narrative.

Charlene is a two-time NPC Bodybuilding champion and a top ten fitness competitor who has been featured on Channel 2 KPRC-TV. She is known as “The Liberian Lioness,” c om m it t e d t o spreading love, inspiring, and empowering women worldwide to discover their authentic selves.

An entrepreneur for over 20 years, in addition to leading the Sexy Diva World brand, she is a success strategist and CEO of Ace Compliance Consulting and Social Gym Club, Inc. Charlene, through Sexy Diva World, is helping women of all ages and single moms worldwide in a trusted space to unleash their feminine power with specifically designed programs for the needs of the whole woman. Her platform is strategic in helping women discover self-love and connecting them to a genuine circle of like-minded women for their health and well-being.

Under this effort, Charlene has not forgotten about the younger generation and has the Diva in Training Foundation to provide support, training, and a life-changing curriculum to inspire teenage girls to love

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PING MEN ransform,

Transcend

November 2022 | 11

Q&A With Charlene Taylor: DMARS: What was the event in your life that birthed Sexy Diva World, Inc.?

CT: In the mist of terminating a toxic relationship, I discovered I was pregnant. I felt alone and angry my picture perfect life I created was shatter in a thousand pieces without purpose. Being in such a dark place, I saw the light when I heard “Goddess of love” and “sexy diva” in a soft loving voice as I cried out to God seeking purpose. That experience 13 years ago birthed this movement to empower and inspire women to embrace self-love even in the space of feeling alone and isolated.

DMARS: Your initiative is about self-love. Was there ever a time you had issues with your own self-esteem and self-worth? How did you overcome that?

CT: I knew I was smart because I made the good grades my mother expected. I knew I was the best athlete in my school because I set records, earned trophies, medals, featured in the local news weekly, and was recruited by over 20 of the top colleges in the nation.

Though I excelled at athletics and academics, I wasn’t told I was beautiful growing up as a young girl. As an adult, I learned to tell myself that I was beautiful. The more I spoke it, the more I believed it, embraced it, and lived it.

DMARS: The term “sexy” can sometimes be used to put women in a place where they are looked at as objects. What is your definition of the term as you empower women and as it relates to this platform?

CT: The term “sexy” is a mindset and a way of being. Our feminine energy is the spark that radiates us and the essence of being sexy. Our Sexy Divas are powerful women who are courageous, confident, and unstoppable as they create life with extraordinary love, laughter, and heartfelt joy.

DMARS: Can you provide us with a success story of a woman who has been empowered through participating in your program(s)?

CT: There was a woman I was connected to who was a victim of domestic violence. She was being beaten in the middle of the street by her boyfriend, and no one was helping her. I got out of my car and was able to get her away from him. I discovered we lived in the same community. Over a period of time, with tools, resources, and a safe plan of action, she was able to leave her abusive boyfriend. To see a woman’s transformation is powerful.

and honor themselves, build self-confidence, develop high self-esteem, and embrace sisterhood. The girls are introduced to new concepts that spark mindset shifts and participate in events and activities that expose them to a world of endless possibilities that empowers each girl to live a purposeful life. Being a mom herself, it was important for her to create an extension of this foundation to uplift single moms with training and development, education assistance, and life-changing on-the-job opportunities that enable them to improve their professional skills, mindset, and lives so they have the tools and resources to support their children and families.

Some of the Sexy Diva World programs include: • • • • • • •

Annual Self-Love & Sisterhood Summit Quarterly Two-Day Retreat Sexy Diva Squad Metamorphosis Retreat Intimacy, Love & Sex Crew Diva in Training Foundation Sexy Diva Speakers University

DMARS: Through this program helping other women, how have you yourself evolved as a woman?

CT: I absolutely have evolved. I went from knowing myself as a powerful, confident, sexy, and fun woman to evolving more and more as an effective leader for women, now known as “The Liberian Lioness,” unstoppable in attracting all that I desire.

DMARS: What are the short-term and long-term goals for Sexy Diva World, Inc.?

CT: Short-term, I want this organization to continue to empower women worldwide, helping them embrace self-love and sisterhood and live by our Sexy Diva Integrity Pledge.

Long-term, I want us to fulfill our mission, vision, and foundation statement that results in every female loving herself, loving her life and living life to the fullest with extraordinary love, laughter, and heartfelt joy.

Sexy Diva World welcomes women from all walks of life and is creating a world where women respect and love themselves, which in turn helps them honor and respect each other. Charlene understands that some women are still carrying the pain of being betrayed by so-called friends or have not healed from generational curses. This acclaimed and widely-recognized platform is proven effective in bringing women together to connect and collaborate, helping them live life to the fullest.

If you would like to join the Sexy Diva World Inc. movement and take the Sexy Diva Integrity Pledge,

visit www.SexyDivaWorld.com or call 281.865.3535 or Scan QR CODE

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12 | November 2022 EDUCATION & CAREER

College 2030:

New Study Finds Key Insights Into How College Is Changing By d-mars.com News Provider

A

s a new academic school term begins for colleges and universities nationwide, many students and faculty are thinking about how to respond to the changes caused by the pandemic as they settle into their first true "post-pandemic" school year.

Research from Barnes and Noble Education (BNED) reveals insights into how education institutions are adapting. The study called "College 2030 - Emerging from the Pandemic: Reimagining Higher Education," explores changes and visions for the future of higher education by surveying over 2,500 U.S. students, faculty, and administrators regarding five areas: the value of higher education, career preparedness, student loans, mental health, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).

"This study provides a snapshot of higher education at an inflection point," said BNED CEO Michael Huseby. "These insights are not only indicative of how higher education is evolving but can help educational institutions respond more effectively as they set goals for the future."

Hereare arefive fivekey keytakeaways takeawaysfrom fromthe thereport, report,and andwhat whathigher higher Here educationinstitutions institutionscan canlearn learnfrom fromthem. them. education 1. The value of higher education Rising tuition costs and student loan debt have made many question the value of higher education, however, one-third of the students surveyed (33%) said the value of college has actually increased. The majority of students seeing increased value were community college students, graduate or professional students, and students 25 years or older. One reason can be attributed to the class format, which has pivoted in response to the pandemic. Nearly half the students (49%) said they preferred a hybrid format, while more than half of the faculty (54%) favored a fully in-person environment. This difference poses a challenge for institutions.

"Over the next decade, institutions need to continue listening to students by creating personalized learning experiences based on their needs," said Huseby.

"This can be achieved by giving students choices between a variety of class types - in-person, remote, and hybrid."

Hybrid/online learning can provide better access and equity for students of all ages and backgrounds. To further help students

have equitable access, Barnes & Noble College (BNC) has created First Day Complete, a program providing all required course materials (digital and physical) to all students before the first day of class, bundling costs as part of their tuition.

2. Career preparedness The perceived value of higher education is strongly connected to career preparation. When asked, 73% of students said they feel prepared for the industry/field they're pursuing. However, students also wanted more school support with networking (46%), resume help (43%), and mentors (38%).

"Institutions need to better connect students with the business community," advised Huseby. "They can do that by building strong networking opportunities with businesses, assessing employers' requirements, and tailoring a curriculum to develop a clear path between college and career."

3. The state of student loans While tuition rates remained steady during the pandemic, rising inflation and the end of federal stimulus funding will likely increase costs, impacting students' ability to pay.

According to the survey, just under half of students (47%) had student loans, and of that half, 53% were forced to apply for additional loans due to the pandemic.

4. Supporting mental health Many institutions saw spikes in student mental health concerns throughout the pandemic. While over half of students (53%) and faculty (58%) say mental health has improved since returning to campus, 28% of students and 21% of faculty noted that mental health has declined, indicating that the transition itself caused challenges, including a lack of preparation to be back in person.

While on-campus mental health support continues to be crucial, a majority of students and faculty are not using available mental health resources. And although 81% of students and 92% of faculty indicated they knew their school offered mental health resources, only 20% said they have used them.

5. Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Schools could benefit from proactively seeking feedback from students and faculty on DEI efforts, and by educating everyone on DEI issues. Only 35% of students indicated they had been asked for feedback on DEI efforts, while 58% of faculty indicated they had been asked for input.

"Through the next decade, it will be crucial to ensure schools are not just asking for faculty feedback, but are also listening to their students," said Huseby. "Ensuring student needs are met helps build an inclusive campus that provides mental health support, plus the financial, career, and life services students need to succeed."

As in many aspects of life, the past two and half years have forever changed higher education - and it will continue to change over the next decade. Institutions need to understand the needs of their students and ensure that they are providing them with what they need to continue to succeed in school and beyond.

To read the full report, visit BNCollege.com/insight/report/college2030.

Source: BPT

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d-mars.com November 2022 | 13

FREE

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HEALTH & WELLNESS JOURNAL

BIOTECH | BUSINESS | CAREER | EDUCATION | HEALTHY LIFESTYLES | MEDICAL | MENTAL HEALTH | POLICY | RESEARCH | SPORTS MEDICINE

November 2022

|

Inspire, Inform & Educate

|

37th Edition

Ensuring Every Child in America Has Access To Healthy School Meals 16

INSIDE

14

6 Ways to Care For Your Eyes as You Age

18

Pain Management Options for Youth Sports Injuries

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15

Addressing the Burdens of American Nurses

14 | November 2022 HEALTH

6 Ways to Care For Your EYES as You Age

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior

A

s you age, you'll notice several parts of your body change. You may find that you're achy or can't move as fast as you used to. One area of your health you may not think about changing as you age is your eyesight.

"Vision changes are a natural part of aging," said optometrist Dr. Inna Lazar. "But so many Americans don't get their eyes regularly examined and aren't proactive about their eye health. There are also many simple fixes for aging eyes, including affordable reading glasses and innovative eyewear solutions."

If you want to take care of your sight but don't know where to start, check out these six tips for protecting your eyes as you age.

Reviewyour yourfamily familyeye eyehealth healthhistory history 1.1.Review Just like you inherit your eye color from your parents, they may pass down eye diseases and conditions that develop as you age. Talk with your family about their eye health history to determine if you're at higher risk for developing an eye disease or condition. Make sure to let your primary care physician and optometrist know about any genetic eye conditions so you can be proactive about diagnosis and care.

Noticechanges changesto toyour yourvision vision 2.2.Notice Our eyes change slowly as we age, so you might not notice eye issues immediately. One common eye condition you'll likely develop as you age is presbyopia, the gradual loss of your ability to focus on nearby objects. A telling sign of this condition is holding books, newspapers, and other reading materials farther away so you can read them. While

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annoying, this eye problem isn't serious and can often be managed with reading glasses or bifocal glasses.

If you're in the market for a pair of readers, consider Foster Grant. Foster Grant Pop of Power Bifocal Style Readers is an excellent solution to allow you to experience clear vision up close and far away, without having to remove your glasses. The bottom segment of each lens is magnified for reading while the rest has no magnification, and the entire lens helps filter potentially harmful blue light from digital devices and other light sources. The collection consists of eight styles with seven diopters ranging from +1.25 - +3.00.

3.3.Protect Protectyour yoursight sightby byeating eatingright right Having a healthy, balanced diet isn't just good for your waistline. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, nutrition can help protect your eyesight.

Focus on eating eye-healthy foods like orange-colored vegetables and fruits like carrots, cold-water fish with omega-3 fatty acids, and leafy green vegetables.

Getexamined examined 4.4.Get An eye exam can identify potential eye issues in their early stages when they're easiest to treat. According to WebMD, if you don't have existing eye issues and are younger than 40, you should get a routine eye exam every 2 years. As you get older, exams should be more frequent to catch any changes to your sight.

If you are experiencing symptoms or have a family history of eye problems, it's a good idea to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This exam can help identify common vision problems as well as glaucoma and other eye diseases.

Protectyour youreyes eyes 5.5.Protect When you think of eye protection, you probably imagine safety goggles, eye shields, and sports glasses. But one piece of eye protection you should use regularly is a pair of sunglasses.

According to the American Optometric Association, overexposure to solar radiation over time can increase your risk of cataracts, eye cancer, and macular degeneration. You can protect your eyes by purchasing sunglasses that block 100% of UV-A and UV-B radiation. Pick a stylish pair so you can look good while caring for your eyesight. All eyewear from Foster Grant is 100% UVA/UVB protective.

Restyour youreyes eyes 6.6.Rest Just like when you exercise your muscles, your eyes can become fatigued from overuse. If you spend most of your day looking at screens, you may experience eyestrain. To give your eyes a break, look away from your screen every 20 minutes at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Also, consider using blue light reading glasses, like Pop of Power Bifocal Style Blue Light Readers, which block 30% of potentially harmful blue light produced by computers and other artificial and natural sources, including the sun.

To learn more, visit www.FosterGrant.com.

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Be proactive and protect your eyes. Using these six tips, you can give your sight the best chance of staying healthy as you age.

Source: BPT

November 2022 | 15 HEALTH

By d-mars.com News Provider

A

ccording to a new survey, American nurses are overwhelmed by job demands, a long-brewing situation only exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the majority of nurses continue to be dedicated to the care of patients, many are considering leaving the profession at a time when staff shortages are part of the problem. But there’s hope, according to industry experts, who say that understanding these challenges can lead to meaningful and necessary reforms.

The 2022 national survey, “The Future of Nursing: A Profession in Crisis,” of nurses and student nurses, was conducted by Cross Country, a market-leading tech-enabled workforce solutions platform and advisory firm, in partnership with Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing.

Overall, the study revealed that nurses remain passionate about patient care, with 66% citing helping people through meaningful work as the main driver for staying in the field. Nevertheless, ongoing challenges have created undue burdens for nurses, with pay rates/compensation (86%), staff shortages (53%), stress (39%), and burnout (35%) cited as top career dissatisfiers.

This frustration has put the industry in crisis: 28% of nurses indicated their desire to leave the profession has increased dramatically since the pandemic, while those who said their desire to stay has dropped from 24% in 2021 to 4% in 2022. This translates to a real potential loss of talent in hospitals, physicians’ offices, long-term care facilities, and other healthcare settings. Of those surveyed, 23% plan to look for a new career in 1-2 years, and 13% plan to retire in 1-5 years.

“We had hoped that as the pandemic eased, nurses would have better balance, mental health, and working

Addressing the Burdens of American Nurses

conditions, but we are not there and as a result, nurses are leaving the profession in droves,” says John A. Martins, president, and chief executive officer, Cross Country Healthcare. “The time to fix these mounting problems is now.”

To that end, Cross Country is deploying several strategies to transform the nursing profession. These include an

ongoing examination of pay rates and retention practices; identifying new pathways for education, licensing, and talent development; focusing on flexibility and growth opportunities; and investments toward innovation to strengthen the nursing workforce.

The company continues to invest heavily in technology and digital transformation to support these strategies.

Among these initiatives is a new website dedicated to nursing candidates. Found at crosscountry.com, the site aims to help healthcare professionals find and engage with potential job opportunities more effectively.

Identifying new pathways for nursing education is also a critical stepping stone toward reforming the profession and addressing healthcare provider shortages. That’s why the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing offers accredited programs at all levels to prepare and train students, including various tracks for a BSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), PhD and DNP focused on Caring Science. Also offered are a BSN-DNP program with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration and post-graduate dermatology and telehealth certificate courses, as well as other concentrations that intersect innovation and technology.

“Nursing is the greatest profession in the world. The experience you will get is priceless,” said one of the survey respondents. “Make sure you’re getting into nursing for the right reasons because I love coming to work and look forward to caring for patients every day. No two patients are alike, so every day in nursing is like a new experience and adventure. And you make the difference.”

To learn more about the challenges facing the nursing industry, visit crosscountry.com/thefuture-of-nursing, where the complete study results, can be found.

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Source: StatePoint

16 | November 2022

Ensuring Every Child in America Has Access To Healthy School Meals HEALTH

By d-mars.com News Provider

S

tarting in early 2020, every child in the United States became eligible for school meals at no cost, regardless of family income level -- no forms, no questions asked. That policy, along with other interventions, including increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, Children Program benefits, kept millions of children and families from going hungry during the pandemic. But support for school meals ended this September, putting healthy school meals increasingly out of reach for children who rely on them for nearly half their daily calories and a consistent source of good nutrition.

Amid soaring food prices, rising rates of nutrition and food insecurity, and families having a harder time accessing nutritious foods in their communities, advocates at the American Heart Association say that Congress’s failure to extend healthy school meals is already having profound consequences.

For more than two years, the country has seen food insecurity rates stay relatively stagnant. Pandemic-era assistance helped ensure that already high rates of families struggling to feed their kids did not worsen.

However, with these policies ending and food costs skyrocketing, early data from 2022

suggest that food insecurity is quickly on the rise. Food insecurity disproportionately affects households with children (14.8%), Hispanic households (17%), Black households (21%), and households living at or below the federal poverty line (35%). This crisis also comes at a time when households across America are facing delayed health care, barriers to affordable housing, and a general financial squeeze caused by rising prices of consumer goods.

success.”

“Providing healthy school meals for students at no charge is a recipe for success that reduces food insecurity, improves children’s diets and academic performance, generates critical revenue for schools, and decreases stigma,” according to Nancy Brown, CEO, American Heart Association.

“Action by the federal government is long overdue. It is a necessity for families and schools to feed children the healthy meals they need for

Kids who eat well perform better in school. However, access to food is just part of the issue. The American Heart Association points out that with pre-pandemic numbers of more than 15 million school breakfasts and 30 million school lunches served every day, what children put on their plates has a significant impact on their overall health and well-being.

“Federal programs including SNAP and the Summer Food Service program have been integral to addressing hunger, but many policies focus on improving access to sufficient quantities of food,” says Brown. “While this goal is critically important, especially in mitigating the effects of poverty, we must modernize these policies and programs to also focus on food quality, so people have access to enough nutritious food.”

There are opportunities for the federal government to change course and ensure that every child across the country has access to free, nutritious foods at school.

The White House recently released a national strategy to end nutrition and food insecurity and mitigate the effects of diet-related chronic diseases in the United States by 2030, making the recommendation for healthy school meals for all and strong nutrition standards. Additionally, a key committee in the House of Representatives has passed a child nutrition reauthorization bill that would protect and strengthen nutrition

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standards for school meals and help million of children gain to healthy schoo among other up child nutrition Advocates at th Heart Associatio Senate now need to give children t succeed.

To learn mo yourethec

November 2022 | 17 HEALTH

Idhini Platform Changing Clinical Trial Participation in BIPOC COMMUNITIES One Study at a Time

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

ecent studies have revealed that approximately 5% of Black Americans participate in clinical trials. Unfortunately, that number proves lower in the overall BIPOC community, and an organization called Idhini works to help improve Black, Indigenous, and People of Color participation.

To capture the voice of the BIPOC community and their unique needs, Idhini boasts that it provides access and equitable rewards for participation in health research.

“The main reason is trust,” Gerard Charlot, a principal at Idhini, a national database of BIPOC individuals available to participate in clinical trials, told the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Let It Be Known live morning news show.

Officials designed the platform to provide health information and resources and assist in the health and financial outcomes associated with health literacy.

R

“Our vision is to have medical research reflect the population it serves,” Charlot stated.

ns access ol meals, pdates to programs. he American on say that the ds to do its part the best chance to

ore, visit https://act. ure.org/tqmwpbx.

Source: StatePoint

“If we are successful, increased access to healthcare and equitable rewards for participation will create positive health and social outcomes, a more diverse healthcare workforce, and higher financial rewards for health organizations.”

Idhini wants to close the gap in health research within the BIPOC community.

Charlot said the organization reduces the cost of acquiring health-related data and insights from Black and minority communities while increasing the lifetime value of each community member’s interaction with medical research.

He said it’s 100% virtually.

“Why not make the community successful,” Charlot stated.

“The main reason there’s a problem is the lack of trust, not just from Black people, but the BIPOC community in general.”

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Idhini has partnered with There Goes My Hero, a national registry that recently launched the “Color the Registry” initiative to secure more African American donors to help save lives.

Idhini helps recruit and screen individuals to ensure suitable patients participate in trials. In addition, the platform captures attitudes and sentiments toward research and converts sentiments into analysis and reporting.

A Chicago Sun-Times study revealed that patients — particularly Black and Latino Americans — now look for pharmaceutical companies to act as information brokers.

“Across social media channels, podc a st s, a nd other outlets, they want these companies to take three major actions: help distinguish between false and accurate health care information; be realistic and honest about the realities of diseases and treatments and show what goes on behind the scenes at pharma companies,” the study authors wrote.

The authors concluded that people are reachable in a new way, and the newfound awareness of and interest in the makers of drugs and vaccines offers a pathway to learning.

“People want to hear from pharma companies,” the study authors wrote. “They’re listening and learning. They then bring this information with them to their doctors’ appointments.”

Charlot said that’s the point of Idhini.

“Major pharmaceutical companies use our stuff because it works,” Charlot stated.

“Our approach is not the Gerard way – it’s the right way.

“You have patient-centered research where it’s now all about community research. If you’re not engaging the community, there’s no value.”

Charlot concluded: “The future of our families is not just about you; it’s about everybody you love.

And the reality is that by learning more about it, by having awareness, you empower yourself to be better. You empower your community which makes you feel like you belong, and for yourself to note that you matter.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association

18 | November 2022 HEALTH

Pain Management Options for Youth Sports Injuries

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By d-mars.com News Provider

Y

outh sports are an important part of a child’s social and emotional development and fuel a healthy and active lifestyle. However, sports can result in injuries that may leave players sidelined. As parents, it’s important to be prepared before an injury happens—and that includes being informed about opioid risks.

A child might be prescribed opioids—oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, etc. -- to manage pain after an injury, or following surgery or another procedure to treat their injury. In fact, sports-related injuries are often one of the first times children and teens are exposed to opioids. Opioids have side effects like nausea and dizziness, and can also lead to addiction and dependence. As millions of children face sports-related injuries each year, the risk of opioid exposure increases -- underscoring the need for education and awareness of non-opioid options and a plan for how to talk to providers.

Treating an injury with opioids can lead to misuse. Opioid misuse is 50% higher in kids who participate in high-injury sports than in those who don’t. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that 9.7 million people ages 12 and older misused prescription opioids in 2019. Improper disposal of opioids is another factor that can lead to misuse. Almost 90% of patients with leftover opioid pills didn’t dispose of them properly, with many keeping them in their homes and some sharing them with family or friends.

Fortunately, there are safe and effective non-opioid options available for children that can help reduce, or eliminate the need for opioids after surgery. In fact, 94% of surgeons agree that non-opioid options can positively impact recovery and the ability to return to normal function following surgery.

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Conversations about pain management should happen long before injury or surgery, and families should have plans in place around injuries and how to navigate opioids and alternative options.

Recently, the National Safety Council and Pacira BioSciences, Inc., which sponsored this article, partnered to launch Connect2Prevent, a program that aims to educate employees and their family members on the importance of preventing opioid misuse. Launching publicly following a pilot program, enrolled participants will receive weekly lessons that provide information, action steps, and ways to connect and communicate with teens, including evidence-based motivational interviewing strategies. The curriculum is focused on identifying opioid misuse, safe storage, and disposal, stigma, talking to providers, refusal skills, harm reduction, and more. Programs like Connect2Prevent and informative discussion guides can help prepare families for these important conversations. To learn more, visit nsc.org.

With fall sports season in full swing, the risk of injury increases. Understanding safe pain management can keep young athletes recovering and staying healthy for years to come.

Source: StatePoint

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November 2022 | 19 HEALTH

President Biden Announces Fix To Family Glitch in Obamacare Subsidies

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

W

ith an estimated 5.1 million people falling into the socalled family glitch – primarily children and women – the Biden administration has issued a rule that makes it easier for those with employer-sponsored health plans to get Affordable Care Act subsidies.

The rule, which comes from the Internal Revenue Service, fixes the glitch that prevented family members from receiving Obamacare subsidies if a household member had access to employer-sponsored healthcare coverage that meets specific requirements identified in the law.

Obamacare required that employer plans be affordable for employees.

Unfortunately, it didn’t offer that same protection for family members.

“Health care should be a right, not a privilege. But for many Americans caught in the so-called family glitch, the peace of mind that health insurance brings has remained out of reach,” President Joe Biden offered in a statement.

“Because of this glitch, employer-based health insurance has been considered ‘affordable’ if the coverage is affordable for

the employee even if it is not for their family members – making those family members ineligible for Affordable Care Act subsidies even though they need them to afford quality coverage.”

In April, the president announced a proposal to fix what the administration called a regulatory flaw.

Beginning in November, families can sign up to take advantage of the change.

The White House said about 1 million Americans would either gain coverage or see their insurance become more affordable because of the new rule.

“This marks the most significant administrative action since the law was first put into place,” Biden asserted.

“It builds on our progress so far, which has brought the rate of uninsured Americans to a record-low eight percent.

My administration will continue working every day to lower costs and expand quality, affordable health coverage to all Americans.”

The Urban Institute estimated that eliminating the family glitch would decrease employer spending by roughly $2 billion annually.

“Changing the family glitch would lower health care premiums for hundreds of thousands of affected families without undermining employer coverage,” researchers

at the Urban Institute found.

“There would be a modest increase in health coverage, but the biggest effect would be to improve affordability. There would be a small increase in federal government spending and a tiny increase in state spending that would be at least partially offset by additional tax revenue.”

Protecting and strengthening implementation of the Affordable Care Act remains key to increasing access to quality, affordable health care,” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra wrote in a statement.

“Today’s action resolves a flaw in prior ACA regulations to bring more affordable coverage to about one million Americans.

Our goal is simple: leave no one behind and give everyone the peace of mind that comes with health insurance,” Becerra stated.

He continued: “Under President Biden’s leadership, our nation’s uninsured rate is at an all-time low, and Affordable Care Act enrollment is at an all-time high. This is not by accident. We are meeting people

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where they are to tell them about their healthcare options through unprecedented outreach efforts. And through landmark legislation like the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, we have offered the lowest ACA premium rates in history. Our work to expand coverage and lower healthcare costs for American families never stops.

“Whether you’re part of a family previously affected by this glitch, or an individual buying insurance on the marketplace, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring you have access to the healthcare you deserve.”

Source: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

20 | November 2022

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November 2022 | 21

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22 | November 2022 FINANCE

Pandemic Make You More Concerned About Finances?

You’re Not Alone

accumulates cash value and allows for your loved ones to be covered throughout your lifetime.

Something else to take into account as you’re considering purchasing life insurance is the value it provides, even if you never actually need to use it.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

T

he COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s lives and, as it turns out, it also impacted their feelings about financial security and life insurance. In a national survey commissioned

by Erie Insurance:

• Two-thirds of respondents (66%) said the pandemic made them more concerned about their financial security than they were before.

• Sixty-one percent said the pandemic made them more concerned about how their family would be taken care of financially if they became seriously ill or worse and could no longer provide for them.

• Half (49%) said the pandemic made them question whether they had the right type and amount of life insurance as part of their overall plan for financial security, and a quarter (25%) contacted their insurance agent about it.

If you’re among those who want to make sure your family is taken care of in the event something unexpected happens to you, but you aren’t sure where to start, here are three questions to ask your insurance agent: 1. How do I know whether I need life insurance?

If you have family members or loved ones who depend on your income, it is a good idea to have life insurance to ensure they will be taken care of. The mortgage on your house, your child’s college tuition, car loans, and

funds for your final expenses are just a few things that can be paid for with money from your life insurance policy. Even if no one depends on your income, it still may make sense to get a life insurance policy to cover your final expenses and debts — including student loans.

2. How do I figure out how much life insurance to get? There are several factors to consider, including the needs of the people you want to protect and how long they will need financial support. Consider your income, or if you aren’t employed outside the home, what it would cost if those left behind would have to pay for services you currently provide, such as childcare or home maintenance.

3. Which is better, term life insurance or whole life?

It depends on where you are. Term life insurance protects you for a specific amount of time. An example would be while you are still paying off a mortgage or paying off your child’s college tuition. Whole life insurance

“One of the best reasons to get life insurance is that it sets your mind at ease to know that your loved ones will be taken care of,” said Louis Colaizzo, senior vice president of Erie Family Life, Erie Insurance.

“In fact, 44% of those who responded to our survey said the pandemic made them appreciate the peace of mind they get from having life insurance even more now than they did before.”

To learn more about life insurance, contact your agent or visit erieinsurance.com/life-insurance.

Amid the uncertainty created by the pandemic, consider channeling your concerns into action by creating a financial safety net for your loved ones.

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Source: StatePoint

November 2022 | 23 EDUCATION & CAREER

The University of Houston College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences held a special reception at the Ensemble Theatre welcoming

DR. TARA T. GREEN Founding Chair of the University of Houston Department of African American Studies.

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24 | November 2022 REAL ESTATE

Application FRAUD Is Exploding Nationwide The top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate:

By NNPA Newswire

E

victions have been front-page news during the pandemic, and for a good reason. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It's a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through widespread eviction moratoriums around the country.

There is, however, another side to the eviction crisis: Criminals actively trying to get into apartments for which they have no ability (nor intention) to pay. Their modus operandi is to submit fake pay stubs and bank statements to convince landlords they have the means required to afford the rent.

One in eight paystubs or bank statements submitted to apartment owners is fake today. In fact, fraudsters submitted more than ten million fake financial documents last year. It is called application fraud, and experts estimate that this crime accounts for one in four of all evictions.

Snappt, a business with expertise in spotting fake financial documentation, has scanned several million pay stubs and bank statements.

Based on a deep analysis of these documents, they have released their "Treacherous Twenty" list - the list of the top 20 major metropolitan areas by application fraud rate.

The Snappt Treacherous Twenty

1) Atlanta - 17.9% 2) Houston - 16.2% 3) Dallas/Fort Worth - 13.2% 4) Charlotte - 11.7% 5) Phoenix - 11.2% 6) Los Angeles - 10.8% 7) Tampa/St. Petersburg - 10.4% 8) Miami - 10.0% 9) St. Louis - 9.5% 10) Minneapolis/St. Paul - 9.2% 11) Chicago - 8.9% 12) Orlando - 8.5% 13) Las Vegas - 8.2% 14) Detroit - 8.0% 15) Philadelphia - 7.9% 16) Southern California Inland Empire (Riverside, Ontario) - 7.9% 17) Sacramento - 7.4% 18) Washington, DC - 6.6% 19) New York/New Jersey - 6.1% 20) Denver - 6.0%

Note that the eviction rates - which are often driven by application fraud - ran as high as one in nine for our Treacherous Twenty. The average eviction rate was 4.83%, nearly double the national average of 2.6%. In Atlanta, property managers are seeing fake paystubs or bank statements every fifth or sixth applicant.

Houston and Dallas were not far behind.

but rent increases and unemployment stick out.

Many of the Treacherous Twenty show extreme movement along these drivers. * Increasing rent. Higher rents make it more difficult to qualify. This in turn causes more people to turn to application fraud. We are seeing annual rent increases as high as 29.5% in our list (Tampa/St. Petersburg). In fact, nearly half showed double-digit rent increases in 2022. * Unemployment. Unemployment makes it impossible to qualify for an apartment. This drives applicants to fraudulently alter bank statements and pay stubs. Unemployment rates were as high as 5.7% on our list, well above the national average of 3.8%. In fact, half of the metro areas on our list have unemployment rates at or above the national average.

A post-pandemic world The pandemic was tough for everyone. While eviction moratoriums kept many renters safe, owners faced high losses. And, as application fraud soars, the risk to owners is getting even higher. Luckily, there are solutions (like Snappt) that help protect landlords.

Source: BPT

Drivers of application fraud There are many drivers of application fraud,

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26 | November 2022

Monkeypox Viruela del Mono

Stay Alert!

ANYONE CAN GET IT.

¡Mantente alerta!

CUALQUIERA PUEDE CONTAGIARSE.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

¿CUÁLES SON LOS SÍNTOMAS?

Unusual rashes or lesions

Erupciones o lesiones inusuales

Headache

Fever & headaches Swollen lymph nodes Muscle aches

WHAT YOU CAN DO? Stay Informed

Fever

Fiebre y dolor de cabeza Ganglios linfáticos inflamados

Muscle Aches

Dolores musculares

¿QUÉ PUEDES HACER?

Swollen lymp nodes

Exhauston

Contact your doctor to get tested

Get vaccinated if eligible

Lesions

Chills

Backache

Stay at home if you have monkeypox.

Seek medical help immediately if you think you’ve been exposed or have symptoms.

Mantente informado Contacte a su médico para hacerse la prueba

Vacúnate si eres elegible Quédate en casa si te contagiaste de viruela del mono.

Call 832-393-4220 HoustonHealth.org

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Busque ayuda médica inmediatamente si cree que ha estado expuesto o tiene síntomas.

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28 | November 2022

Our airports exist to move people around

and move them up.

The mission of Houston Airports is to connect the cultures of the world to the most diverse city in the world. By connecting people, we believe we uplift them all by making infinite opportunities, experiences and relationships possible. That is diversity at its best.

Although we offer flights to hundreds of destinations around the world, our true goal is to take every traveler to only one place. And that place is up.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

HOU

William P. Hobby Airport

fly2houston.com

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30 | November 2022 TECHNOLOGY

How

5G Fixed Wireless Access is Bridging the Digital Divide By d-mars.com News Provider

W

hen working from home and attending school virtually became part of everyday life during the COVID-19 pandemic, it taught us how vital home broadband internet is.

A recent OpenVault report found broadband usage spiked nearly 50% year over year during the first quarter of the pandemic, and that usage has sustained today. Those with a stable internet connection were able to keep up with school, work and various tasks.

However, because ISPs have continued to underserve certain customers for years, many families were left behind.

In fact, more than 42 million Americans lack broadband access, according to BroadbandNow.com.

The Digital Divide refers to the gap between those who have access to highspeed internet and those who do not due to various demographic factors.

Even many with internet access struggle with unreliable internet, low broadband speeds and poor overall performance.

Options like fiber, which are known to be incredibly reliable, are difficult to build out across communities. Older options like DSL and satellite lack the reliability and speeds to keep up with today’s typical broadband usage.

So, for decades, many in this country have been without a stable internet connection, and competition everywhere has remained limited.

In 2021, Congress created the Affordable Connectivity Program, a long-term $14 billion program to combat the Digital Divide. This program offers a discount toward internet service for eligible households.

However, many communities, especially those in rural America, still face infrastructure hurdles. In a recent White House speech, President Joe Biden stated that more than 30 million Americans are living in rural areas that still do not have access to

high-speed internet.

The good news is that 5G is helping to bring new hope to the high-speed home internet industry. 5G wireless networks have massive capacity, more than 4G LTE networks ever did. According to industry experts, it means 5G can deliver capacity and speeds fast enough to offer home internet service directly to millions of homes across the United States, without the expensive builds or complicated installation common with Big Internet companies.

With 5G comes Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), a new service that will help bridge the Digital Divide. FWA is a cost-effective method of delivering high-speed internet to areas with limited fixed (wireline) broadband infrastructure. FWA works like any other home internet service, but instead of connecting through a cable, it does so through a wireless network using a router. It leverages the extra capacity of wireless networks, making it easy to deliver a reliable high-speed internet experience to homes in traditionally underserved areas.

FWA doesn’t require drilling holes and setup is easy. Simply plug in a dedicated router, place it in an area with an optimal signal and you’re connected.

Wondering whether 5G FWA is here to stay? ABI Research forecasts that in 2026, the FWA market will exceed 180 million subscriptions and generate $70 billion in revenue. The 5G FWA market will then account for 40% of the total FWA market.

Two companies are leading the FWA market. One of them, T-Mobile, launched 5G Home Internet in 2021 and already has over 1.5 million customers.

At a time when connectivity has never been more important, 5G FWA will help millions access dependable, affordable home internet. Bridging the Digital Divide is not only crucial for those without access, but is good for the entire country. With 5G, there’s a powerful opportunity to change the high-speed internet industry for good.

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