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C E L E B R AT I N G HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT3AWARDS 0 YEAR
CHANCELLOR Announces Record High The Black Stars News 2015 Annual N YwillChonorS tMayor udents College Bound Awards Dinner
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools David Dinkins, Rep. Charles English and Math. The graduation rate for Chancellor Richard A. the Class of 2018 reached a record-high of Rangel, Rep.Carranza Yvettehas Clarke, announced that a record-high 48,782 R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara 75.9 percent. students in the Class of 2018 enrolled in Inez8,000 Barron, Sabrina Through College Access for All, more college, Arnwine, up approximately students Lamb, Crew, and Stephen students are completing key milestones and since the start ofDr. the Rudy administration directly applying to college: they are visiting approximately 3,600 students compared to Byrd, Alia Jones, and the Central a college campus with their high school, the yearPark prior. Five College enrollment at its injustice survivors ofisgross taking the SAT, applying to college, applying highest ever – 62 percent of New York City’s on December 18 from 6:00pm – for financial aid, and enrolling in college Class of 2018 (students entering 9th grade and postsecondary programs. The initiative 10:00pm atinMIST in Fall 2014) enrolled a two-Harlem, or four-year46 West has also removed financial obstacles for Street. college, 116th vocational program, or public service students. In the Class of 2018, 44,944 program after graduation, up 3 percentage students redeemed fee waivers through “Each honoree chosen for points from the previous year and up 11 CUNY, allowing them to apply for free. That recognition percentage points fromhas thedemonstrated Class of 2013. exceptional leadership and vision insame school year, 80 percent of juniors “Our schools launch our kids to successful inDinkins SAT school day, taking the David futures,her and or now more students than ever or participated his respective profession exam in school free of charge. are enrolled in college endeavor andand in taking someanother significant As a result, more students of arethe enrolling step toward fulfilling their potential. We are was a member NewinYork has contributed at CUNY, SUNY, New York Statethe making measure sure our students know collegetowards programs City Council, representing a more just isn’t justcreating for a select few and thatsociety zip codein this th 40 council district in Brooklyn, country,” says no longer determines whoBlack gets toStar go,” News succeeding her mother, Una S. said Mayor Bill de Blasio. founder and publisher Milton
Allimadi. “Obviously much work “OURneeds SCHOOLS LAUNCH OUR KIDS to be done here and TO SUCCESSFUL FUTURES, around the world.” AND NOW MORE STUDENTS
schools and information, including from their phones. The tool is available in more than 100 languages through Google Translate, and has screen-reader compatibility making it more accessible for individuals with disabilities. School Quality Report data is also included on the School Performance Dashboard, an interactive data tool that shows data for each school over time. The School Quality Reports were updated in 2015 to align to the Framework for Great Schools, the DOE’s research-based approach to school improvement, and continue to be refined based on feedback from school leaders and communities well as analysis conducted Charlesas Rangel internally and by external researchers. Schools with strong 2018 Framework ratings majority. She now leads The were nine times more likely to substantially Justice Coalition. improveTransformative student achievement in 2019,
T. Clarke. In the current 114th Congress Clarke serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, responsible for consumer protection, food safety, energy development, public health, communications, the environment, and interstate and international commerce.
S!
York and a former chancellor of the New York public schools system.
Pioneering producers Stephen Byrd and so Alia through their – Universal Literacy thatJones, every student is reading on grade Front level by Row the endProduction, of company 2nd grade; and Algebra improve brought “Cat for onAlla toHot Tin Roof” elementarymath Desire” andand “A middle-school Streetcar Named instruction and ensure that all 8th graders withtoaalgebra. multi-ethnic to have access They arecast offering Broadway. In 2016 they bring students more challenging, hands-on, college and career-aligned – Computer “Eclipsed”coursework with Oscar Winner ScienceLupita for All brings 21st-century computer Nyong ’O to Broadway.
science instruction to every school, and Honorees, Central AP for All will give all the high so-called school students access to at least five collectively Advanced Placement Park 5, are and courses.individually Along the way, they areThey givingare heroes. students and families additional support survivors of one of the ugliest through College Access for All, Single miscarriage of justice in New York’s Shepherd, and investment in Community history; having been railroaded Schools. Efforts to create more diverse and inclusiveand classrooms, unjustlyincluding Equity convicted for&a crime Excellence fordid All: Diversity in New Yorkfor Citywhich they not commit and Arnwine was for 26 years executive Public Schools are central to this pathway. they served long prison sentences director of the Lawyers’ Committee More information about the School Quality seven years to 13 years for Civil Rights Under the Law. Reports,ranging includingfrom reports for individual before being exonerated when the Inez Barron, honoree, formerly aschools, training materials, and a link to the School Performance Dashboard, They is actual rapist confessed. are: State Assembly member, is nowavailable online. Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond
a New York City council member “Higher Santana education isJr., a gateway to McCray, higher Antron Kevin and a champion of education for incomes, fulfilling careers, and the Richardson, and Kharey Wise. our youth. numerous tangible and intangible ways dinner and awards ceremonies. There The to Black Star News, students be empowered andwhich access focuses - M ayo r B i l l d e B l a s i o Honoree Imhotep Gary Byrd is for will be musical entertainment by social mobility. I commend Mayor de Blasio, on investigative journalism, has “The numbers in and the results are a legendary radio talk show host Chancellor Carranza, and all the educators opera are singer Cassandra Douglas been featured as a result of some if clear: in New York City, more students and executive producer, radio DJ,and students who have helped achieve and from harmonica phenomenon are enrolling in college and on a path its news scoops, on CNN, The New R. Donahue Peebles, honoree, is poet, songwriter, music recordingthis year’s record-high levels of college William Galison. David at Dinkins is to success. Our schools are assisting York Daily News, The New York a leading developer and founder of artist and producer, rapper, writerenrollment in New York City. While much honored for college Lifetime every turn by building and Achievement careerPost, ThetoVillage Voice, to be done tackle the lack of and Brill’s The Peebles Co., the nation’s largest ready cultures, eliminating barriersCity’s such first and community activist. He beganremains — he was New York quality education as a main contributor to Content magazine. African American-owned real demonstrating as application fees, and helpingmayor students his career as a radio in Buffalo that schools with aDJ focus on African American and alsoprivate colleges and out of state colleges. In the systemic inequalities many of our youth estate firm with $3.5 billion worth improving directly apply. This is Equity and Excellence the Framework Past Black News honorees at the ageelements 15. Forofover 30 years, he’s and communities welcomed Nelson Mandela to theaddition to increases in college enrollment areStar up against, initiatives in action, and I’m so proud of students, of properties under development are more and college readiness, the 2018-19 School likely to see improvement in have included: Gil Noble (Like like the Equity and Excellence for All and theIt been a talk show host at WBLS and city after his release in 1990. educators and families,” said Chancellor Quality Reports, released today, give families achievement. or management — he was one studentWLIB a College for All agendas play an important Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad radio in New York City. He RichardRep. A. Carranza. a clear, of concise picture of thedeveloperswho quality Charles Rangel, also honored those barriers, righting the pioneering Mayor de Blasio’s andnight Excellence O’Briendown (CNN), Ms. Camille Cosby, also has aEquity Friday radiofortalk role in breaking of each school, and the School Quality The Equity Excellence for All agenda has forand Lifetime Achievement, All initiatives are promoting increased college historic wrongs, and opening meaningful, helped turn around and revitalize Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), show on WBAI. more detailed information has improved for students life-changing opportunities for our students,” readiness and access to postsecondary servedoutcomes in Congress since year 1971. He Guide provides is the once-blighted Anacostia intended for schools to use to inform their Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel after year, ensuring every high school has options Honoree across all five boroughs. This foundersaid Senator Luis Sepulveda. Sabrina Lamb, a recipient oftoThe Bronze for in Washington, D.C. planningneighborhood efforts. resources for students graduate with medal a Larrieux (Entertainer), specifically includes the College Access for “I applaud Mayor de Blasio and his Dr. William of World of Money, is a champion helping A champion of African-American All, AP for college and careersave plansoldiers and everybehind middle enemyThe School Quality Reports are available All, Algebra for All, and Single Pollard (Medgar Evers College), of initiatives. financial literacy for youth-- sheforwarding thinking Equity and Excellence duringstudents the Korean War. school isline providing with early economic empowerment Peebles’ Shepherd is on the DOE and individual school Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba that has worked to significantly exposure to college campuses and schoolteaches knowledge about handlingagenda websitescontemplating Executive Superintendents a possibleand run for NYC improve academic outcomes for studentsLa-Verna Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic Together, the Equity and Excellence for All Arinde (Amsterdam News), based events promoting the pursuit of higher Superintendents are able to use data and money, budgeting andto planning. across our city. Though there is much mayor in 2017. initiatives are building a pathway success member of the US House of Fountain (Columbia University), education. Measures of college readiness information from the Reports to make be done to close the sprawling in college and careers for allhonoree, students. Our Rudy Crew, is one ofmore toLillian for the Class of 2018 also improved – 51 Representatives from New Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy Honoree Barbara informed decisions about whichArnwine, targeted civil schoolsDr. achievement gap, I am encouraged by are starting earlier – free, full-day, th percent York of all students Class of the nation’s leading educators. He’s whose 9in the supportsrights will belawyer, most useful to schools. district covers (New York Times), Greg Floyd (Local is a champion of the progress the Mayor has made for our high-quality education for three-year-olds 2018 graduated ready, defined as Quality Snapshot is available much ofcollege central Brooklyn. Before The School Rev.families, Al Sharpton (National president of Medgar Evers College students237), and their and I remain protecting voting rights of ethnic and four-year-olds through 3-K for All graduating high school on time and meeting as a searchable web-based and mobileeager to support his efforts in any way thatothers. I and Pre-K for All. They are strengthening entering Congress in 2007, she Action Network), and many of The City University of New minority groups — the emerging CUNY’s standards for college readiness in ready tool, so families can easily search for THAN EVER AREat ENROLLED The gala starts 6:00pm with a IN COLLEGE…” cocktail hour to be followed by the
foundational skills and instruction earlier
can,” said Senator Kevin Parker.
INSIDE T HIS ISSUE: IS SUE : INSIDE THIS
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N AT ION AL ROSS UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE & OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY PARTNER To Increase U.S. Physician Diversity African Americans make up only six percent of U.S. physicians. With the goal of driving diversity among U.S. physicians, Oakwood University and Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) announced a new agreement to help more African Americans attend medical school. The agreement was signed Thursday, October 24, at Oakwood’s campus by Leslie N. Pollard, Ph.D., D.Min., MBA., president of Oakwood University, and William F. Owen, M.D., FACP, dean and chancellor of RUSM. Oakwood and RUSM are establishing an educational pathway program, making it easier for Oakwood graduates to study medicine at RUSM. Qualified Oakwood students who earn full acceptance into the medical school will receive a scholarship covering full tuition for the first semester.
Schools create pathway program for graduates of the HBCU to attend medical school. Oakwood University has consistently been a top producer of Blacks that are accepted and go on to attend medical school. Oakwood is currently the fifth ranking Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in the U.S., according to the American Association of American Medical Colleges and as reported by the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. Oakwood is coupling the longstanding excellence of its pre-med program with its UNCF grant-supported Career Pathways Initiative to grow its relationships with institutions such as RUSM. Developing partnerships such as this will provide additional opportunities for continued student success and professional growth.
“We engage this hopeful relationship with Ross University School of Medicine on behalf of interested Oakwood students. Our students will join the generations that have been blessed through their work," said Oakwood University President Leslie Pollard. “African-American doctors are woefully underrepresented in the physician workforce, leading fewer African Americans to see a doctor,” said RUSM Dean and Chancellor, William F. Owen, Jr., M.D., FACP. “This has significant negative healthcare outcomes in communities already prone to high rates of chronic diseases. Working with Oakwood and other HBCUs, using novel student engagements, validated support programs and senior-level commitments to success, we’re working to address that long overdue challenge to increase the diversity of our nation’s physicians.” As part of its continued commitment to addressing diversity, RUSM’s parent company, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), signed on to the HBCU Partnership Challenge created by the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus, pledging to invest in creating strategic collaborations with HBCUs and working to increase diversity in key workforce sectors. Over the past year, RUSM has announced six similar agreements with minority serving institutions, including Charles R. Drew University, Dillard University, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Tuskegee University, Saint Peter’s University and California State University, Dominguez Hills. Having recently celebrated its 40th
anniversary, RUSM’s 14,000-plus diverse alumni practice medicine throughout North America and across all specialties, including a high percentage of graduates who enter the in-demand field of primary care. More than a quarter of RUSM students identify as black or Hispanic, with RUSM earning a 96 percent USMLE Step 1 first-time pass rate in 2018. RUSM also achieved a 92 percent residency attainment rate for first-timeeligible 2018-2019 graduates, and of the 647 RUSM medical students who attained residency in March of 2019, 82 were black and 61 were Hispanic. Oakwood University, a historically Black SDA institution of higher learning, offers quality Christian Education that emphasizes academic excellence, promotes the harmonious development of mind, body, and spirit, and prepares leaders in service for God and humanity. The school's motto, shared by faculty and students, is: Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve. In everything it does, it believes and practices God First, its current slogan. Consistent with its Mission
Statement, Oakwood University is in the business of transforming lives – both for now and, more importantly, for eternity. Founded in 1896, Oakwood University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). More information about Oakwood can be found on their website at www.oakwood.edu. Ross University School of Medicine is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. The organization's purpose is to empower students to achieve their goals, find success and make inspiring contributions to our global community. Founded in 1978, RUSM has more than 14,000 alumni and is committed to educating a diverse group of skilled physicians. RUSM is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and Other Health Professions (CAAM-HP, www.caam-hp.org). For more information, please visit: www. medical.rossu.edu.
a l l y D o n at e s $ 1 M i l l i o n t o t h e S m i t h s o n i a n ' s NATIONAL MUSEUM of AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY & CULTURE Ally Financial announced a $1 million donation to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a check presentation by Ally Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey J. Brown to interim director of the museum, Spencer Crew. The museum, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., is the nation's largest museum devoted exclusively to the documentation of African American life, history and culture, and its impact on the world today.
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This donation supports Ally's commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion through education, understanding and action. "Championing diversity and inclusion is a cornerstone of our culture at Ally and at the foundation of what it means to do it right," said Brown. "An important part of this includes education and an understanding of the rich fabric of diversity. The National Museum of African American History and Culture tells the story of America through the lens of black history and culture, and we are proud to be able to help support them in that mission."
Leadership Institute. TMCF is the nation's largest organization exclusively representing the black college community. Brown has been named CEO of the Year by TMCF and was honored at the 32nd Anniversary Awards Gala. Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a leading digital financial-services company with $180.4 billion in assets as of June 30, 2019. As a customer-centric company with passionate customer service and innovative financial solutions, we are relentlessly focused on "Doing It Right" and being a trusted financial-services provider to our consumer, commercial, and corporate customers. We are one of the largest
full-service automotive-finance operations in the country and offer a wide range of financial services and insurance products to automotive dealerships and consumers. Our award-winning online bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender) offers mortgage-lending services and a variety of deposit and other banking products, including savings, money-market, and checking accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Additionally, we offer securitiesbrokerage and investment-advisory services through Ally Invest. Our robust corporate finance business offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies.
Brown was joined for the check presentation by 24 students from historically black colleges and universities who were invited by Ally to tour the museum. Prior to the museum tour the students participated in a learning session on the topic of design thinking that was led by Ally. The students are in Washington, D.C. for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) 18th Annual
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
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NEWS NAACP SPEAKS OUT ON 2019 ELECTIONS Following the 2019 elections, the nation’s leading civil rights organization issued the following statement: Communities of Color and the Civil Rights movement won big on Election Day. The NAACP is extremely proud of our Civic Engagement campaign on getting out the vote during the 2019 electoral cycle. Victories in Virginia, Kentucky, and across the country show that we made our voices heard and the power of our vote. Our goal was and is to increase voter turnout through relational organizing in targeted states (Kentucky, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia). Through our partnership with GSSA, LLC Data Analytics group, we received mapped out metrics for the Black community across the targeted states, which allowed us to test a new approach through relational organizing. In 4 weeks we engaged over 740,000 volunteers, frequent, and in-frequent black voters. Through a direct mail
program we sent 234,000 pieces of mail across the targeted states to a group of black voters who were both our GOTV targets and potential advocates as relational organizers. We sent 180,000 thousand frequent black voters peer to peer text messages on the Hustle platform across the four states powered by over 150 volunteers. Our youth and college members at Hampton University, Norfolk State University, and Old Dominion University made us all proud by organizing campus and community events to mobilize their peers and neighbors to go vote. Our volunteer members also led a range of GOTV activities including Souls to the Polls, Rides to the Polls, and even voter protection programs. Every phone call, text message, and knock on the door concluded with historic election results and voter turnout across the country on Election Night, and it wouldn’t have been possible without support from activists like you. We have the
C ommunit ie s of C olor and the Civil Rights movement won big on Election Day. momentum and the power going into 2020 as we begin to organize and
mobilize for Census 2020 and the 2020 Presidential Election.
superstorms that climate models predict. Former President Obama joined the agreement on behalf of the U.S. in September 2016; yet on June 1, 2017, President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the U.S. from this crucial accord.
caused by increasingly dangerous weather systems. The amplified ferocity of these storms is but one result of climate change, and it perhaps offers us the best insight into its disparate impact. Low income Americans and racial and ethnic minorities have fewer resources with which they can prepare for, defend against, or use to clean up after a disaster. Furthermore, nations such as those on the continents of Africa and Asia are experiencing horrific weather-related problems they are not equipped to deal with.
NAACP H O S T S TOWN HALL On Tuesday, November 12, the NAACP hosted a special town hall featuring Sen. Cory Booker and Senator Kamala Harris, along with Derrick Johnson, NAACP President and CEO, and Bradford M. Berry, NAACP General Counsel to call attention to a Comcast Supreme Court case. Comcast, the largest U.S. cable provider, is urging the Supreme Court to roll back vital protections in one of the
country’s longest-standing civil rights laws—Section 1981. Comcast, backed by the Trump administration, is attempting to turn back the clock on civil rights, making it harder for Black businesses and contractors to challenge racial discrimination under a law that has been around since 1866. This is an outright attack on civil rights and the NAACP will do everything in its power to fight it.
C O M B A T I N G C L I M AT E C H A N G E
The 2015 Paris Climate Accord between almost 200 countries brought together the developed and developing worlds to pledge limits on the fossilfuel pollution that causes climate change. Those pledges are voluntary
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and non-binding. The goal is to hold the rise in temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius (compared with preindustrial levels), and preferably to 1.5 degree, at the end of this century to avoid the rising seas and
From Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to the more recent flooding in Houston due to Hurricane Harvey in 2017, as well as numerous other weather-related catastrophes including heat waves, hurricanes, and cyclones, to name a few we have witnessed what can be
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
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C O M M E N TA R Y DOES YOUR
D O C T O R ’ S R A C E M AT T E R ? By Dr. Dina D. Strachan, MD FindaBlackDoctor.com is a free internet service that allows the public to locate U.S. based African-American physicians, as well as dentists, podiatrists, clinical psychologists, and other health care providers. It originally launched in 2005 to much acclaim as it was one of the first such directories. The website has been on hiatus since 2008. The demand for this reliable and user-friendly service has been expressed by many African Americans. Having built a popular, independent dermatology practice in the competitive New York City market Dr. Dina Strachan, the founder of the service, states little has changed since the initial launch in 2005 despite the increased popularity of doctor directories on the internet. She explains, “It seems like every day a new patient or someone on the phone expresses that they had been frustrated in not being able to find an African American doctor.” Dr. Strachan adds, “Research shows that MOST people don’t care if their doctor is the same race as they are. As many as 30%, however, have been reported to prefer, for a variety of reasons, that same-race doctors just like women often prefer female gynecologists.” Recent studies show that Black men
particularly have better health outcomes when their doctor is of the same race. Dr. Strachan felt it was time to bring the website back as the internet had gotten more sophisticated and she saw the continued need. “Despite the increasing ethnic diversity in the U.S., minority physicians, who are more likely to serve minority populations, are still under-represented in the healthcare work force. This can make them harder to find despite the internet,” she notes. “Patients also have an increased expectation of cultural competence.” Branding itself as a more exclusive site FindaBlackDoctor. com will only list licensed doctors and dentists practicing within the scope of their professional training. “The goal is not to necessarily have the biggest list but the most-high quality and accurate list. Visitors to the site shouldn’t have to sort through stale information such as incorrect addresses,” says Dr. Strachan. In addition to the traditional practice listing with the office contact information, there will be features not relevant in the past, such as social media links, credential links and more. The Docpedia page is a glossary
of terms helpful in understanding healthcare. “We are very proud of this new and improved version of a concept that was one of the first to market.” Dina D. Strachan, M.D. is an internationally recognized, Harvard and Yale educated, board-certified dermatologist, consultant, author and speaker who directs Aglow Dermatology, a private practice she founded using her personal credit cards. She has been listed on the “Top Doctors” list in The Network Journal and named a “Super Doctor” in The New York Times. Dr. Strachan is the author of the best seller Moxie Mindset: Secrets of Profitable, Independent Physicians Practice in a Competitive Market available on Amazon. Dr. Strachan is a popular source for the local and national media,
including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Dr. Oz Show, Crain’s New York Business, Essence, Ebony, Redbook, Rolling Stone, and Good Morning America. Dr. Strachan was one of the featured physicians in the BBC America promotion, “Female Doctors Are Heroes,” celebrating the casting of the first female actor in the cult series Dr. Who. Dr. Strachan holds a voluntary faculty position in the Department of Dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. She volunteers weekly at Bellevue Hospital where she teaches the next generation of dermatologists. Follow her on social media @drdinamd (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin and Twitter). Follow Aglow Dermatology on Facebook @DinaStrachanMD
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FIN ANCE BLACK WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS BY TAY LO R A . SY LVA I N According to published reports, New Orleans native Desirée Glapion Rogers and her business partner, Cheryl Mayberry McKissack will purchase the iconic Fashion Fair
formed for the acquisition. Founded in 1973 as the first makeup line created for women of color, Fashion Fair was once considered the largest Black-owned
Cheryl Mayberry McKissack and Desiree Glapion Rogers
beauty line from Johnson Publishing Company; the former publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines for $1.85 million. On Thursday, November 7, 2019, a bankruptcy judge approved the sale of Fashion Fair to Winnetka, Ill.-based FFair Acquisition LLC, a holding company
cosmetics company in the world. At its peak in 2003, the brand sold $56 million in total sales. “Fashion Fair is just too valuable for our community to lose,” Ms. Rogers said in an interview with Aisha AlMuslim. “We plan to modernize the brand and products, but will remain
to
Purchase Fashion Fair
true to the company’s roots, which was to create prestige products focused on women of color.”
sold mainly at high-end department stores such as Macy’s and Dillard’s outlets.
In addition to having served as the White House social secretary under former President Barack Obama, Rogers once served as CEO of Johnson Publishing Company, overseeing publication of Ebony and Jet magazines while McKissack served as chief operating officer and president of digital. Magnetar Capital LLC founder and Chief Executive Alec Litowitz is reportedly also backing the deal in his personal capacity.
To revive the Fashion Fair brand, Ms. Rogers and Ms. Mayberry McKissack are considering creating a new community-driven capsule collection paying homage to the original product line in 2020. “We want to know which of our products favorites amongst members of our community are and what other products they would like to see from the brand,” said Ms. Mayberry McKissack… “This conversation will be important as we breathe new life into this iconic brand.”
This is Rogers' and McKissack's second foray as cosmetic business owners, earlier this year the two became co-owners of Black Opal LLC, a skin-care and color cosmetics line founded in 1994 for women of color. Black Opal offers everything from concealer to mascara. Ms. Rogers is Black Opal’s CEO and Ms. Mayberry McKissack serves as its president, while Mr. Litowitz is a key investor. Black Opal products are available mainly at drug and grocery stores, including CVS and Walmart, while Fashion Fair products were
P r o f e s s o r T E A C H E S Yo u n g P r o f e s s i o n a l s Finance expert, entrepreneur and speaker, Dr. Joseph Reid is teaching visionaries of all facets how to achieve “sustainable success” with the release of his new book, How to Win! As a motivational selfimprovement guide, readers will develop familiarity in effective concepts and skills to achieve success as they are introduced with Dr. Reid’s “Three Phases to Sustainable Success”. The components outlined in his book will give readers a greater knowledge of self and serve as a template for achievement in all areas of life. An interactive workbook is also available to help the reader further apply the concepts discussed in the book. “For as long as I can remember, it was clear to me that money was an obvious barrier to success and that if I wanted to become successful, I’d have to do it myself,” states Dr. Reid. It was this thought that fueled his desire to become educated in finance as well as create a game plan for future success.
Taylor Sylvain is a senior journalism student attending Clark Atlanta University’s Division of Communication Arts in the department of Mass Media Arts and serves as an intern for The New Orleans Agenda. A native of New Orleans, she especially enjoys assignments dealing with art, culture, fashion and the music industry. Taylor may be reached via email through SylvainSolutions@ msn.com.
How to
Achieve
many from achieving sustainable success is fear. In order to circumvent the obstacle of fear, you must first make a commitment to yourself and your goals. By rooting yourself in your commitment to accomplishing your goals by any means necessary, you remove the option to abandon or quit on your path to success,” he adds. Dr. Joseph Reid is an alumnus of both Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest University having received both undergraduate and master’s degrees in Accounting, followed by his Certified Public Accounting (CPA) designation in 2012 and Ph.D. in Accounting in 2013 from the University of Memphis. He is currently a Professor at East Carolina University, accepting speaking engagements around the country and developing a 12-week online course that delves deeper into the concepts of this new release. How to Win! A Guide to Sustainable Success is now available for order at www.drreidteaches.com
“A common obstacle that prevents
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November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
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ENTER TAINMENT ES SENCE Announces the EXPANSION of “Girls United
by
ESSENCE”
ES SENCE, the leading media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women, celebrates the International Day of the Girl with the expansion of its empowering mentoring initiative, Girls United by ESSENCE. This exciting platform will represent the voice of the Gen Z population and inspire them to demolish glass ceilings through a new social first+digital campaign: “Black Girl Shaking Things Up.” Through community and mentorship, Girls United by ESSENCE will provide the tools, resources and opportunities necessary to help young women (ages 16-25) during transitional phases of their lives. Girls United by ESSENCE aims to help young women to find their path, as well as creating a safe space for them to come into their own. ESSENCE’s initiative kicked off last fall, and was originally designed to inspire young Black women through a year-long mentorship program, as well as an interactive digital/social content hub that would convey the core principles of leadership and self-love. Today, Girls United by ESSENCE will empower young women through six key pillars/channels across its platform: F l aw l e s s (Beauty) : Focused on inner/outer beauty, skincare, selflove, diversity and inclusivity S natc h e d (Wellness) : Fitness, body confidence, mindfulness, self-care and travel Ge t L i t (Education) : Promoting political/financial/medical literacy Bo$ $ y (Work Channel) : Leadership, career, entrepreneurship Ge t R e al (Sexuality & Relationships) : Relationships, LGBTQ community and self-acceptance F los sy (Creative Channel) : Creative expression in fashion, design and art In addition, Girls United by ESSENCE will feature additional robust multi-platform content including a Behind the Magic video series, Magic Unfiltered podcast focused on education and exploration, a Brand Ambassador Program, and a Girls United Summit aimed at increasing inter-generational conversation and the state of mentorship. Leveraging the Girls United platform, ESSENCE and Ulta Beauty will partner once again for Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities, a mentoring initiative where six young women (ages 16-19) will embark on a journey of tapping into their entrepreneurial and creative spirit and discovering their personal potential. The women selected for this program will have the opportunity of a lifetime, including the chance to work on a special capsule
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collection for Ulta Beauty, being mentored by top beauty industry leaders and influencers, and receiving $10,000 that can be put towards college. Applications are open now through November 30th. For more details, visit www.essence.com/ beautifulpossibilities. “Girls United by ESSENCE is an incredible platform that will give Gen Z women the tools and resources they need to excel in every area of their lives,” said Michelle Ebanks, ESSENCE CEO. “For far too long, there have been barriers that have kept young women from advancing—from the classroom to the boardroom. As ESSENCE gears towards it’s 50th anniversary, we remain committed to ground-breaking campaigns such as this that will provide the strategies and tools that young women need to help their dreams become a reality.” Essence Communications is the number one media, technology and commerce company dedicated to Black women and inspires a global audience of more than 20.2 million through diverse storytelling and immersive original content. With a multi-platform presence in publishing, experiential and online, ESSENCE encompasses its signature magazine; digital, video and social platforms; television specials; books; as well as live events, including Black Women in Music, Black Women in Hollywood, Street Style and the ESSENCE Festival. Essence Communications is owned by Essence Ventures, an independent Black-owned, consumer technology company merging content, community and commerce to meet the evolving cultural and lifestyle needs of people of color.
Be A Census Taker Extra income Flexible hours Weekly pay
Apply Online 2020CENSUS.GOV/JOBS
Paid training
For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 Federal Relay Service: 1-800-877-8339 TTY/ASCII www.gsa.gov/fedrelay The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer. D-1531 | April 2019
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
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PENTER OLI T ICS TAINMENT Pres. Candidate Debuts Ad: "REPARATIONS - AN IDE A WHOSE TIME HA S COME" Marianne Williamson, Democratic candidate for President, released her first television commercial today, it will begin airing tomorrow. The 60-second commercial entitled Reparations - An Idea Whose Time Has Come centers on the issue of reparations for American descendants of slaves. The commercial is debuting in South Carolina.
Williamson has advocated for reparations for slavery since the 1990’s and was the first candidate in this presidential primary season to make it a pillar of her campaign. Williamson has proposed a “Reparations Commission” to guide the way, dispersing $200-500 billion over ten years to promote education, infrastructure, and projects dedicated to African American communities. The text of the ad is below: Reparations - An Idea Whose Time Has Come One of the bigger issues that has really resonated with many people from the debates is the issue in and around reparations. Yes. This has been one of your core issues. Why?
I've been talking about this since my book came out in 1997. The first enslaved persons are brought over in 1619, slavery not abolished until 1865. That's 250 years, followed by another hundred years of institutionalized violence against black people. That's 350 years of institutionalized violence. That's longer than this country has been in existence.
Williamson is the co-founder of several non-profit organizations including The Peace Alliance and Project Angel Food, a non-profit that has delivered more than 12 million meals to ill and dying home-bound patients since 1989. The group was created to help people suffering from malnutrition and the many other ravages of HIV/AIDS. They have
since expanded their service to any person battling a critical illness.
Her signature policy issues include establishing a U.S. Department of Children & Youth, a Reparations Plan for slavery and creating a cabinet-level U.S. Department of Peace.
Paying reparations for slavery will not fix everything. But America will not have the future that we want if we're not willing to clean up the past, To clean up this original character defect of racism. Whatever it costs, it's time to do this. I'm Marianne Williamson, and I approve this message. Marianne Williamson is a best-selling author, activist and non-denominational faith leader. For 35 years, Williamson has been a leading progressive voice on spirituality and its intersection with politics. She is the author of 14 books (4 #1 NYT best-sellers) including Healing the Soul of America and her most recent, A Politics of Love: Handbook for a New American Revolution.
Kentucky Center for African American Heritage & Black Veterans HONORS VET By Charles Blatcher, III Chairman, National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations We are commemorating Veterans Day in Louisville with the Colonel Charles Young maquette in the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage. As we “Salute” all Veterans, we are placing special emphasis on the legendary Buffalo Soldier. The Colonel is also being celebrated for the occasion in California. We have joined the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage and the Louisville Chapter of NABVETS in recognizing and honoring its “Native Son” on the special day. The institution will present its completed Colonel Charles Young Flag Memorial to the Veterans and dignitaries invited to attend. The Center will also present plans to develop the Media / Art Wing to the complex that will carry the Colonel’s name. We’ve been advocating for greater visibility for the Man, his history and that of Black service personnel in general for over four decades. We are pleased to see all the activities taking place in different parts of the country. We count it as a success to our years of stressing the importance of the Colonel and the subject of the history. Reflecting back to the beginning of the advocacy there was the “March for Recognition." It was a 500 plus mile walk in 1978 from Oakland, California to Sacramento via Los Angeles. We have sponsored numerous activities since then. Among which includes the more recent restoration of his birth cabin in Mays Lick, Kentucky. Worked with State and Local representatives in having the highway running pass the property designated the Colonel Charles Young Memorial Highway. We unofficially designated the route leading from Mays Lick to Wilberforce, Ohio as the “Colonel Charles Young Corridor.”
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The name has been adopted. The route passes through Ripley, Ohio where he was raised. We accepted an Honorary Doctorate Degree for Colonel Young from Wilberforce University where he once taught. In the past, we hosted ceremonies at his gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery. We solved the mystery of where Ada Young, the Colonel’s wife was buried. She is interned
in the grave with the Colonel. However, she was not recognized on the Headstone. The family has since added her name. We still hold the objective of one day seeing a statue of the Colonel in a Park or overlooking a Boulevard in Washington, DC.
I have been asked “Why” is Colonel Young worthy of the attention we continue to focus on him? He is worthy by virtues of his own deeds. His accomplishments are numerous including: From slavery becoming the third Black graduate of the United States Military Academy, first Black Military Attaché’ to a foreign government, the first Black Superintendent of a National Park. He was the highest rank Black Officer in the Armed Forces for majority of his career. He was a Soldier’s Soldier and Friend to many. Colonel Charles Young is an icon. He symbolizes the honor and dedication of Black Americans in the defense of this nation representing the Spanish American and World War 1 era. On June 22, 1917 Lieutenant Colonel Charles Young was promoted to full Colonel. The promotion came with the notification of his forced medical retirement from the Army. He appealed to the War Department and after waiting for a year for a reply, on June 6, 1918 he rode on horseback and walked 497 miles from Wilberforce, Ohio to Washington, DC to prove his fitness to be returned to active duty. He was returned to active duty on November 6, 1918. The War ended five days later with the signing of the Armistice. By keeping him out of the War, it denied him the opportunity of advancement to the rank of Brigadier General. His history is a reminder of our Nation’s unfinished task of rendering historical justice where the injustice is so obvious -such as the case with Colonel Young. More light should be shined on the entire subject of Black Military History. It is important that all Americans understand the commonalty of our vested interest in building and defending this nation, especially our youth. It should be taught in public education as a part of American History. Many familiar with the Colonel’s history believe he deserves the honorary rank of Brigadier General in the United States
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
Army. The Colonel’s history should be featured or highlighted on every occasion that presents itself. We look forward to commemorating the day in Louisville reviewing the Flag Memorial and the tour of the purposed designated Colonel Charles Young Media/Arts Center Wing. This is a very exciting and important project for Louisville and the State of Kentucky. It’s a potential resource for education and job skill training. Naming the wing after the Colonel is a most fitting honor. Aside from being an outstanding Soldier, Educator and Diplomat, Colonel Young was a renaissance man. He was an excellent poet; a play-write, we recently turned over a play he wrote titled; Toussaint L’ Overture: A Negro History Drama to Aukram Burton, executive director of the Center for review by the Media/Art Wing Advisory Council. We have asked the Advisory to review the possibility of the work being staged at some future date. We are appreciative of the National Afro American Museum in Wilberforce, Ohio for providing the manuscript. Colonel Young was a composer. Thanks to composer James Gardiner of Pajama Studio in Oakland we have heard one of the Colonel’s compositions. Gardiner played the sheet music of “There’s A Service Flag in the Window.” The Colonel was an accomplished composer and musician. Above all, he was a Teacher and beloved Friend to many. Having the Colonel Charles Young Veterans Flag Memorial and a Media/Art Center Wing of the Kentucky Center for Africa American Heritage named in his honor is fitting to the character, interest and talents of the Man. The Colonel lived and served in many places, but he was only born in one, Kentucky. We are committed to making the Media/Arts Center a reality. The estimated cost is 3.5 million dollars.
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BUSINE S S Directory
To
Profile BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES Nationwide
The new Directory of Black Owned Businesses and Organization (DOBOBO) is a national consumer driven web-based advertising and marketing business. Many times, consumers who will not do business with you and drive right by going to “other” people’s businesses, not knowing you are there right around the corner ready to serve them. The DOBOBO business model is designed to create a viewing audience that is reflective of Black communities while providing an online platform to support and publicize businesses and organizations in African American communities. The directory endeavors to provide Black-owned businesses and organizations with an opportunity to advertise, share resources, and promote cooperative economics through a mutually shared platform. Striving to “bring back Black,” DOBOBO will push to promote the creation of earning opportunities, increasing and recycling the flow of revenue within the Black communities, and expanding opportunities for Black businesses and consumers. The agent referral system
DOBOBO’s integrated Agent Referral System will reach every segment of the population by actively encouraging and financially rewarding consumers who help us identify qualified Black owned business for the directory through our Agent Affiliate Referral Program. Referral Agents can earn a 20% commission for each paid advertiser (new or renewing) referred by them to the directory. They may refer 1 or 100. There are no limits to the number of advertisers that may be referred (business owners may also participate). Although DOBOBO was developed with small and medium size Black-owned businesses and organizations in mind, we anticipate that this advertising portal will improve your businesses or organizations, regardless of size. Let us assist with increasing your business exposure while contributing to the empowerment of our communities. Black-owned businesses and organizations are encouraged to advertise in the Directory of Blackowned Businesses and Organizations (DOBOBO) and consumers are encouraged to be agents supporting them and earning and income in the process.
Regardless of your business or organization category, they are confident they can help increase your exposure. Let us assist with increasing your business exposure while contributing to the empowerment of our communities. - FREE LISTING The first 200 businesses and/or organizations that provide their listing information by November 30, 2019 will receive a totally free one-year Silver listing in the directory with absolutely
no obligation whatsoever. Just email the following information to info@dobobo.com: Business Name Business Contact Information (i.e. phone, email, and address) Website address (if applicable) Business Description (up to 1000 characters) Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and/ or YouTube links (if applicable) Special Offers (if applicable) Business Hours
First Annual M i l l i o n a i r e M a s t e r m i n d Entrepreneur SUMMIT The Mil li o na i r e M as t e r min d Ac a d e my, a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the education, support and growth of women-owned business enterprises, will host its first annual 2019 Millionaire Mastermind Entrepreneur Summit and Awards Luncheon, Dec. 16 in Atlanta. The Summit offers corporations, organizations and government entities
the opportunity to reach more than 500 business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, while giving those same entrepreneurs an opportunity to network and learn from business leaders across multiple vertical markets. During the event, $10,000 in seed money will be awarded to an aspiring entrepreneur who presents the most complete business pitch in the Millionaire
Mastermind’s first-ever Pitch Competition. “The Summit is a natural extension of the Millionaire Mastermind Academy,” said Dr. Velma Trayham, President and CEO of the Millionaire Mastermind Academy. “It’s an outstanding opportunity to not only recognize female business owners who are moving the needle in their businesses and communities, but to also provide a practical road map to aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them fulfill their economic goals and objectives.” The Summit features a veritable “Who’s Who” of business, government, entertainment and philanthropic mavericks, including leading economist, educator and entrepreneur, Dr. Julianne Malveaux; Nancy Flake Johnson, CEO, Atlanta Urban League; comedian and talk show host, Kiana Dancie; Earnest Pugh, National Recording artist and entrepreneur; Catherine B. Horgan, CEO, Brand Aspirations; Nicole Durio, Madison Brothers, Consulting Group and many more. Held at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency at 265 Peachtree St. NE, the Summit starts with registration at 8 a.m., and in addition to the afternoon awards luncheon, features breakout workshops and seminars throughout the day with informative topics such as Access to Capital/Financial Literacy, Community Reinvestment: Public/Private Partnerships and Contracting Opportunities with Government Entities, to name a few. Another key component of the Summit is a HBCU Start-Up Lab. Moderated by Dr. Malveaux, the objective of this segment is to
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November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
educate, attract, mentor and develop college students who show a talent and desire to become successful entrepreneurs, but who lack the knowledge to get started. Already reaching more than 4,600 women and helping 25 of them launch successful businesses, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy sees its work as life-changing: “The Millionaire Mastermind Academy was founded in Atlanta for a reason,” Trayham said. “I look around and see so much untapped potential here. Many women have incredible ideas and concepts for business, but just don’t have the direction or guidance. Too often, this keeps them in a dead-end cycle of either living paycheck-to-paycheck or, in some cases, struggling to gain any type of steady income. These same women, with the right training, guidance and support, can end their cycle of poverty and begin to create generational wealth for themselves and their children.” The Millionaire Mastermind Academy is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Founded in 2017 by Dr. Velma Trayham, its mission is to educate and support the growth of women-owned business enterprises. The Millionaire Mastermind Academy focuses on economic empowerment with the aim of strengthening and growing communities. To stimulate this growth, the Millionaire Mastermind Academy implements programs which promote increased access to business opportunities and capital as well as the development of women-owned businesses and entrepreneurship. For more information, please visit https:// millionairemastermindacademy.com/.
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HE ALTH
Medical Breakthrough Will Reduce Number Of PREMATURE BIRTHS
The briefing by Sonia Hassan, M.D., associate vice president of Women’s Health and founder of the new Office of Women’s Health at Wayne State University in Detroit, will be the first in the Wayne State University Capitol Series “Improving Health Outcomes for Minority Women and Their Children,” held in partnership with U.S. Reps. Brenda Lawrence and Rashida Tlaib. The vaginal gel, to be used topically, is for women found to have a shortened cervix. Studies show it decreases the rate of preterm births. “I am truly concerned with the idea that each year nearly 700 women in the U.S. die as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications, and the risk of pregnancy-related death is three to four times as high for black women,” said Lawrence, co-chair of the Congressional Women’s Caucus. “This series hosted in collaboration with Wayne State University will allow my colleagues and me to gather the information needed to create legislation that will help improve maternal health outcomes for more women of color and their children.”
“So many mothers and their children are depending on us to solve this crisis of high-risk pregnancies.” The continued rise in its preterm birth rate earned the U.S. a C grade on the March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card. In 2018, 30 states saw their rates decline compared to the previous year and 10 states received a worse grade. The rates are highest among African American women. “So many mothers and their children are depending on us to solve this crisis of high-risk pregnancies,” Tlaib said. “This is why the issue of preterm birth and pregnancy complications surrounding women of color deserves our full attention and resources. Our moms deserve to have safe and healthy pregnancies.” Dr. Hassan led the research effort that developed the findings at the National Institutes of Health’s Perinatology Research Branch (PRB), housed at Wayne State University. The research branch’s role, specified by Congress, is to conduct research into ways to reduce the national rate of preterm birth and
infant mortality as well as address the complications and causes of the ethnic/ racial disparities that exist in these adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Hassan’s findings about the progesterone’s effectiveness led to the implementation of a citywide program in Detroit to educate and assist women at risk for preterm birth in delivering
preterm birth, with an annual savings of more than $500 to $750 million in health care costs for the U.S.,” Dr. Hassan said. “I hope to show Congress that its continued investment in this type of research pays a dividend in healthier mothers and children, while reducing the attendant costs of preterm birth.”
their babies to term. The program has been so successful in driving down the numbers of preterm birth that it is being implemented in other cities, including Flint, Mich. “Universal implementation of cervical ultrasound and vaginal progesterone is estimated to result in the prevention of
Special guest presenters include Kelle Moley M.D., senior vice president and chief scientific officer of March of Dimes, Nereida Correa, M.D., board member of the National Hispanic Medical Association and members of the Women’s Congressional Policy Institute’s board of directors.
THE FLU CAN KILL YOU – GET THE INFLUENZ A VACCINE Th e NYC H e alt h D e pa rt me nt is reminding New Yorkers that everyone ages 6 months and older should get a seasonal flu vaccine. It is especially important for adults ages 50 and older, pregnant people, children ages 6 months to 5 years, and people with chronic diseases to be vaccinated. “As New Yorkers, we look out for each other,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. “And there is no better way to look out for your fellow New Yorker – especially those most vulnerable to the flu such as infants, people with compromised immune systems and the elderly – than getting vaccinated against influenza.” “Getting yourself and your child vaccinated as early as possible can help protect both of you from flu-related illnesses, reduce school absences for your child, and prevent the virus from infecting other children and family members,” said ACS Commissioner David A. Hansell. “The Administration for Children’s Services joins the Health Department in urging all New Yorkers not to wait to get a flu shot this season.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the last flu season was the longest in 10 years, lasting from mid-November 2018 through to mid-April 2019. Although influenza activity is currently low, one influenzarelated pediatric death outside of New York City has already been reported to the CDC. Despite the risk of severe illness, not enough adult New Yorkers are getting
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vaccinated. Last flu season, Health Department data showed that only 47% of people ages 18 and older received the influenza vaccination, while 74% of children under age 5 had been vaccinated. Disparities in flu vaccination coverage also persist. In 2018, only 50% of Black New Yorkers ages 65 and older were vaccinated, compared to 65% of Whites, 67% of Latinos and 73% of Asians in this age group. The Health and Human Services’ Healthy People 2020 goal for flu vaccination coverage is 70%.
fall and lasts throughout the spring. Since influenza activity can be unpredictable and influenza viruses can be found yearround, it is important to get the vaccine as early as possible, though it is never too late to be vaccinated. A flu vaccine is necessary each year because the vaccine provides protection for only one season. This year’s flu vaccine contains two new virus strains.
The NYC Health Map also includes pharmacies that are enrolled in the federally-funded Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, which provides flu vaccines for VFC-eligible children (including those on Medicaid and children without insurance) at no cost, although an administration fee may be charged if the child does not have insurance.
Influenza-like symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people, especially children, may have vomiting and diarrhea. People may also be infected with influenza and have respiratory symptoms without a fever. Ways to reduce the spread of germs like influenza: Try to avoid close contact with sick people. While sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them. If you are sick with influenza-like illness, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities. (Your fever should be gone for 24 hours without the use of a fever-reducing medicine.) Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. After using a tissue, throw it in the trash and wash your hands. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs like influenza.
Influenza season usually starts in the late
“As the weather begins to get colder, it is
The flu vaccine is widely available for all New Yorkers, and serious reactions to the vaccine are extremely rare. The Health Department’s immunization clinic along with other City-run clinics and hospitals provide no or low-cost flu vaccines to patients and visitors. It is available at chain pharmacies, like CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens and Duane Reade, and independent pharmacies, many of which take most health insurance plans without charging a co-pay. Pharmacists can now vaccinate children as young as age 2. Check with your local pharmacy to confirm that they can vaccinate children and the age ranges they can serve. Many employers also provide onsite flu vaccines for their employees. New Yorkers can use the Health Department’s NYC Health Map or call 311.
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
important to consider getting vaccinated against the flu, especially if you might be at risk of complications,” said Staten Island Borough President James Oddo. “I am happy to partner with Health + Hospitals for another year to bring Staten Islanders free flu shots, which will be available on November 7th from 11am-2:30pm at Staten Island Borough Hall. Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect yourself – as well as those around you – from this illness.” “To stay healthy during the annual flu season, you and your family should get a flu shot. Receiving the influenza vaccine protects you and all New Yorkers, especially elderly people and children who are particularly at risk,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Health Committee.
“The NYC Health Department alert about the importance of getting a flu vaccine is a timely and proactive. Vaccines against the flu have proven effective, and are widely available to New Yorkers at low or no cost. That’s why I got my flu shot, as I do every year,” said Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried of Manhattan, Chair of the Assembly Committee on Health. “No one likes getting the flu but for many New Yorkers contracting influenza can be more than just a few days of missed work – it can be life-threatening,” said City Council Health Committee Chair Mark Levine. “It is vital that all New Yorkers get vaccinated against influenza as early in the flu season as possible to not only protect themselves from getting sick but to protect vulnerable people like infants and the elderly. The vaccine is widely available and it only takes a few minutes of your time to help prevent spreading the flu to vulnerable New Yorkers.”
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ENDNO TE S B ROO K LY N M U SE UM Unveils De sign UOVO unveiled the design for a major public art installation by John Edmonds, the inaugural winner of the Brooklyn Museum's UOVO Prize for an emerging artist. The large-scale mural will measure 35 x 49 feet and feature the artwork entitled A Lesson In Looking With Reverence (2019). The work will be installed on the façade of the forthcoming UOVO: BROOKLYN art storage facility in Bushwick. It will be on view to the public starting November 15 through fall 2020. Edmonds is the first winner of the UOVO Prize, a new annual award for an emerging artist living or
working in Brooklyn. Edmonds has repurposed his photograph Whose Hands? (2019) as the visual centerpiece of the façade. The subject of the image is a figurative wooden sculpture of a mother and child, originating from the Baule people of the Ivory Coast. The artist first encountered the sculpture outside of the Museum of Modern Art on an African art dealer's stand, its initial acquisition prompted by the artist's interest in the work being symbolic of major themes in the art historical canon: maternity, life, death
for
Publi c Mural
and sacrifice. In Edmonds's photograph, the sculpture is gripped by a variety of hands, appearing to pull it in opposite directions. Shot in 2019, Whose Hands was shown for the first time at Company Gallery as part of the exhibition Between Pathos and Seduction. Beneath the image in A Lesson In Looking With Reverence, the artist has added notations from Susan M. Vogel's 1997 book, Baule: African Art, Western Eyes.
artist's first solo museum show. "We are thrilled to present John Edmonds's striking and conceptually rich installation as part of the Brooklyn Museum's UOVO Prize," Ashley James said. "We look forward to the wideranging conversations sure to emerge from the community's engagement with this public installation and Edmonds's accompanying solo exhibition at the museum in the spring."
In addition to the external mural on the UOVO: BROOKLYN façade, the artist will produce a small publication with supplementary information containing over five-hundred footnotes about the Baule's art and culture, including excerpts pulled from Alain-Michel Boyer's Baule: Visions of Africa. The publication, published as a newsprint, will be available to the public from inside the UOVO: BROOKLYN lobby.
Steven Guttman, UOVO Founder and Chairman, remarked "It is an honor to support John Edmonds's groundbreaking work in conjunction with the Brooklyn Museum through the Prize's multi-faceted approach. We look forward to installing this thoughtprovoking composition at UOVO: BROOKLYN, which we hope will engage the Bushwick community on multiple levels."
"A Lesson In Looking With Reverence is a research-based project and a meditation on the state of African art and conflicting nature of its acquisition," John Edmonds said. "Susan M. Vogel's Baule: African Art, Western Eyes has been a source that I have returned to repeatedly to understand my own positionality as an African-American artist looking at such layered material of the diaspora. Ultimately, I hope this work can exist as a threshold for museums and institutions to move forward with equity and repair. "
Best known for his sensitive depictions of young Black men, Edmonds uses photography and video to create formal portraits and still lifes that challenge art historical precedents and center Black queer desire. He often uses a large-format camera to heighten the staging of his subjects and explore their sculptural potential, making reference to religious paintings and modernist photography. Highlighting markers of Black self-fashioning and community—hoodies, du-rags, and more recently, African sculptures—his formal photographs point to individual style and a shared visual language across time.
Edmonds's solo exhibition will open at the Brooklyn Museum in May 2020 and will feature new and recent photographic works that combine portraiture and still lifes of Central and West African sculptures. Curated by Ashley James, former Assistant Curator, Contemporary Art, and Drew Sawyer, Phillip Leonian and Edith Rosenbaum Leonian Curator, Photography, the exhibition will be the
Edmonds is included in the current group exhibition, Nobody Promised You Tomorrow: Art 50 Years After Stonewall, on view at the Museum through December 8, 2019. The artist was also featured in this year's Whitney Biennial.
“ S h o p B l a c k W e e k ” C a m pa i g n N ovem b er 2 2 - 2 9
As consumers across the U.S. gear up for holiday deals on sales merchandise, this Black Friday, a coalition urges buyers to make it a Shop Black Week. More than 100 groups have designated November 22 to 29 as Shop Black Week, a time of supporting Blackowned businesses by purchasing products, goods, or services from Black entrepreneurs. This nationwide campaign, spread through social media has amassed well over a half million participants based on counts of subscribers and followers, according to organizers. The Shop Black Week campaign is a nationwide campaign that simply asks every American to support Black-owned businesses in November. Participating entities include organizations, Online-
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social groups and publications that have made the commitment to help spread the word with their social media accounts. With the support of these entities and as new supporters join in, it is projected that this nationwide campaign could be the most successful economic movement of all time and be able to profoundly help thousands of Black-owned businesses in the process. The last big movement for Black people was the Million Man March, but organizers feel that the time has come for another big movement. Participating organizations and representatives and members from an additional 30+ organizations and Facebook groups will be sharing the information during the initial roll-out. Collectively, they represent over 750K
followers and members who will be asked to spread the word as well. Everyone will include #shopblackweek and #SBW2019 to help it go viral. Shop Black Week organizers REQUEST registration on their website because they need as much participation as possible from strong organizations, Facebook groups, LinkedIn Groups and other social groups who are willing to share this information with their
November 21, 2019 - November 27, 2019
followers and members. Those who wish to participate should register on their website as a show of solidarity in this movement and to be documented in this historical moment. For businesses, organizations and individual supporters who want to participate or want more information, they should visit www.shopblackweek. org.
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