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NEW YORK TREND

December 17, 2015 - December 23, 2015

MAYOR DAVID DINKINS, REP. CHARLES RANGEL, HONORED WITH LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

100 BLACK MEN OF EASTERN NEW YORK PRESIDENT AWARDED

100 BLACK MEN OF EASTERN NEW YORK, INC.’S President Named "Man of the Year" honored by The National Association of Negro Business & Professional Women's Club, Inc. Central Nassau Club on April 13th, 2024 at their 65th Annual Founder’s Day Celebration Honoring Entrepreneurs, Business and Professional Women at the Coral House in Baldwin, New York. “I am humbled by receiving such a prestigious award such as the Central Club "Man of the Year” and the award will continue to inspire us to build upon the work that we have embarked upon in establishing a chartered chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc.

The Black Stars News 2015 Annual Awards Dinner will honor Mayor David Dinkins, Rep. Charles Rangel, Rep. Yvette Clarke, R. Donahue Peebles, Barbara Arnwine, Inez Barron, Sabrina Lamb, Dr. Rudy Crew, Stephen Byrd, Alia Jones, and the Central Park Five survivors of gross injustice on December 18 from 6:00pm –10:00pm at MIST Harlem, 46 West 116th Street

“Each honoree chosen for recognition has demonstrated exceptional leadership and vision in her or his respective profession or endeavor and in some significant measure has contributed towards creating a more just society in this country,” says Black Star News founder and publisher Milton Allimadi. “Obviously much work needs to be done here and around the world.”

It was an honor and a privilege to be honored alongside Tracey Edwards (Sojourner Truth Award), Entrepreneur Awards to Angela Stanley, Joy Williams, LaShawn Lukes, Samantha Lawson, Business Award to Adrian Goodwin, Professional Award to Brianna Vaughn."

“I am humbled by receiving such a prestigious award….”

 Phil Andrews President, 100 Black Men of Eastern New York

100 Black Men of Eastern New York

The gala starts at 6:00pm with a cocktail hour to be followed by the dinner and awards ceremonies. There will be musical entertainment by opera singer Cassandra Douglas and from harmonica phenomenon William Galison. David Dinkins is honored for Lifetime Achievement — he was New York City’s first African American mayor and also welcomed Nelson Mandela to the city after his release in 1990.

As a chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc., the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. will be hosting a variety of meetings in its service territory of Eastern New York. Eastern New York is comprised of the counties of Kings (Brooklyn), Nassau, Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk and concurrently with the Southern District, the waters within the counties of Bronx and New York. The founders of 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. have a long and lengthy history of service and commitment to downstate, New York.

Rep. Charles Rangel, also honored for Lifetime Achievement, has served in Congress since 1971. He is a recipient of The Bronze medal for helping save soldiers behind enemy line during the Korean War

Rep. Yvette Clarke is a Democratic member of the US House of Representatives from New York whose 9th district covers much of central Brooklyn. Before entering Congress in 2007, she

illustrious foundation of the men who paved the way for a more just, and equitable society.  The “100” advocates

mayor in 2017.

Leadership Development and Economic Empowerment.

The 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. was formed to address the current issues of our day in our community, and to build upon the

Honoree Barbara Arnwine, civil rights lawyer, is a champion of protecting voting rights of ethnic minority groups — the emerging

prospective spheres of influence. It is our desire to impact our community in a positive manner and change the narrative by creating greater success. Together we will bring to bear every ounce of our ability to have a positive impact on our problems, challenges, and opportunities, and provide viable solutions.

-- Phil Andrews, Founding President100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc.

Transformative Justice Coalition. Arnwine was for 26 years executive Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law. , honoree, formerly a member, is now council member and a champion of education for

ABOUT : Founding President - The Founding President of the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. has appeared on WABC Here and Now, NBC’s Positively Black, and was featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as a BE Modern Man. He has served as a Past President of a local chapter of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. as a two-term president. Mr. Andrews is President of the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, New York State’s largest African American Chamber of Commerce.

Imhotep Gary Byrd is a legendary radio talk show host and executive producer, radio DJ, poet, songwriter, music recording artist and producer, rapper, writer and community activist. He began Buffalo at age 15. For over 30 years, he’s WBLS and . He also has a Friday night radio talk

, founder , is a champion of financial literacy for youth-- she teaches knowledge about handling money, budgeting and planning.

and lengthy history of service and commitment to downstate, New York.  Our goal is to bring together a variety of men from diverse backgrounds who are committed to the community and have exemplified excellence in their

York and a former chancellor of the New York public schools system. Pioneering producers Stephen Byrd and Alia Jones, through their company Front Row Production, brought “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” and “A Streetcar Named Desire” with a multi-ethnic cast to Broadway. In 2016 they bring “Eclipsed” with Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong ’O to Broadway. Honorees, the so-called Central Park 5, are collectively and individually heroes. They are survivors of one of the ugliest miscarriage of justice in New York’s history; having been railroaded and unjustly convicted for a crime they did not commit and for which they served long prison sentences ranging from seven years to 13 years before being exonerated when the actual rapist confessed. They are: Yusef Abdus Salaam; Raymond Santana Jr., Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, and Kharey Wise. The Black Star News, which focuses on investigative journalism, has been featured as a result of some if its news scoops, on CNN, The New York Daily News, The New York Post, The Village Voice, and Brill’s Content magazine.

President-Emeritus of the Black Public Relations Society-New York Inc. (BPRS-NY) which is New York’s Premier organization for Image Makers and Strategists in Public Relations. In addition, Mr. Andrews is the Founding President of the African American Small Business Foundation, Inc. Phil has received many proclamations from notable political officials including offices from New York State Assembly, Nassau and Suffolk County Executives, Long Island Mayors, Senators, NYC Elected Officials and a variety of other elected offices.

The 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. 501c3 Non-for-Profit organization is membership-based.  Follow the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York, Inc. on Linkedin at: https:// www.linkedin.com/in/100bmeny/

Dr. Rudy Crew, honoree, is one of the nation’s leading educators. He’s president of Medgar Evers College of The City University of New

Past Black Star News honorees have included: Gil Noble (Like It Is), Rep. Maxine Waters, Soledad O’Brien (CNN), Ms. Camille Cosby, Voza Rivers (New Heritage Theatre), Errol Louis (NY1 News), Amel Larrieux (Entertainer), Dr. William Pollard (Medgar Evers College), Herm Edwards (NY Jets), Nayaba Arinde (Amsterdam News), La-Verna Fountain (Columbia University), Lillian Roberts (DC37), Desiree Dancy (New York Times), Greg Floyd (Local 237), Rev. Al Sharpton (National Action Network), and many others.

The mission of the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York is to serve the African American community in Eastern

Phil Andrews, (center) president of the 100 Black Men of Eastern New York is awarded ‘Man of the Year.’ Photo Credit: 100BlackMen

NATIONAL

FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD HEAD GIVES COMMENCEMENT SPEECH AT GCSU

The Honorable Lisa D. Cook, Ph.D., returned to her roots and hometown in Milledgeville May 4 to give two keynote addresses at Georgia College & State University commencement ceremonies. Governor Cook is the first Black woman and fourth nativeborn Georgian to serve on the Federal Reserve Board in its 111-year history. "Dr. Cook has throughout her career consistently demonstrated a commitment to mentoring and advocating for underrepresented groups in the field of economics," said Georgia College President Cathy Cox, when introducing Cook at commencements for the university's College of Business & Technology and College of Arts & Sciences.

Cox presented Cook with an honorary degree from Georgia College Cook's mother, the late Mary Cook, was the first Black tenured faculty member in Georgia College's School of Nursing, where she taught 17 years. Her father, the late Rev. Payton Cook, was a chaplain of Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, where a building now bears his name. Her father led numerous Baldwin County community

organizations and served on the university's Foundation Board. Cook's two sisters also have ties to Georgia College. One served as director of Minority Affairs and the other as a Foundation Board trustee. The sisters grew up visiting their mother on campus. They attended the Peabody Laboratory School as pupils for student teachers in the university's College of Education. Their babysitters were Georgia College students, and their Baldwin County teachers were trained at Georgia College. The family also hosted dinners for international students.

"My feelings about GCSU begin with immense gratitude," Cook said. "It was rare in the early 1960s for colleges to hire, let alone tenure, an AfricanAmerican woman or man, particularly in rural Georgia."

"For me personally, from an early age, GCSU, and the world it opened to me, was evidence that I could do anything in life and be anyone I dreamed of being, regardless of where I was raised or my race and gender," she said. Cook congratulated the Class of 2024, urging them to find hope and meaning

in her personal story. She said Georgia College prepared them well, and they are limited only by their "motivation, preparation and imagination." "...whoever you are, wherever you come from, and whatever anyone has said

about you and your capabilities," Cook said, "you can be anything and anyone you want to be."

SOURCE Georgia College & State University

60TH ANNIVERSARY OF CIVIL RIGHTS ACT

In June 1964, while Congress was in a stalemate debating the Civil Rights Act, attention turned southward as St. Augustine became the epicenter of the fight for equal rights for all Americans. The nation's oldest city made national news as peaceful activists faced violent opposition, including an incident later dubbed The Splash Heard Round the World, that produced images so haunting that Congress outlawed segregation the next day.

The Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center in St. Augustine, FL will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Civic Rights Act at multiple events and ceremonies in June 2024.

Visit St. Augustine and Florida's Historic Coast recently launched the St. Augustine Black History App It is free to download and integrate history with exploration, guiding visitors to significant locations while supplying related historical information. Here are important commemorative presentations and celebrations that will take place this summer in the St. Augustine, Florida area.

JUNE 1 - SEPTEMBER 15 : The St. Augustine Historical Society presents a Photographic History of the Black Community in St. Augustine at the Oldest House Museum

JUNE 5 : Waves of Change permanent exhibit commemorating Black History on St. Augustine Beach Opening Ceremony at the Cultural Arts Center at

the St. Augustine Beach Hotel

JUNE 11 : Civil Rights Exhibit Opening Ceremony at the Lincolnville Museum & Cultural Center

JUNE 11 , 18 , AND 25 : Guided Civil Rights Tours by the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

Heritage Luncheon

JUNE 16 : Civil Rights activist Charles Cobb at St. Paul AME Church

JUNE 16 : 100th Anniversary Celebration of Excelsior High School at Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

THE RECENTLY RELEASED ST. AUGUSTINE BLACK HISTORY APP INTEGRATES HISTORY WITH EXPLORATION, GUIDING VISITORS TO CULTURALLY SIGNIFICANT LOCATIONS WHILE SUPPLYING RELATED HISTORICAL INFORMATION. IT IS FREE TO DOWNLOAD ON APPLE AND GOOGLE.

JUNE 12 : St. Johns County Parks and Recreation Department Historic Beach Walk at Frank Butler Park East

JUNE 15 : The Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center Annual Juneteenth

JUNE 18 : Commemoration of the Arrest of 16 Rabbis by The St. Augustine Jewish Historical Society at Historic Hilton Bayfront Inn

JUNE 19 : 4th Annual Juneteenth St.

RECOGNIZED

Augustine Music Festival, featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio at the Lewis Auditorium

JUNE 22 : Battle of Bloody Mose reenactment at Fort Mose Historic State Park

JUNE 25 : Sculptor Dana King at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center

JULY 1 : ACCORD Film Festival and Book Signing

JULY 2 : Freedom Trail Trolley Tour with historian David Nolan and 9th Annual ACCORD Museum and Freedom Trail Luncheon at the Casa Monica Resort & Spa

From the beginnings of the Underground Railroad to the passing of the Civil Rights Act, experience this remarkable chapter in American history on Florida's Historic Coast. Located midway between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida's Historic Coast includes historic St. Augustine, the outstanding golf and seaside elegance of Ponte Vedra, the rural beauty of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, and 42 miles of pristine Atlantic beaches. For advance travel information, call 1.800.653.2489 or go to the Visitors and Convention Bureau website at www.FloridasHistoricCoast. com. Check us out on social media Instagram @FloridasHistoricCoast; @ViajaStAugustine, Facebook.com/ OfficialStAugustine, and Facebook. com/ViajaStAugustine and Twitter @FlHistoricCoast

GCSU PRESIDENT CATHY COX (left) AND PROVOST DR. COSTAS SPIROU (right) PRESENT GOVERNOR LISA D. COOK (center) WITH AN HONORARY DEGREE IN HUMANE LETTERS FROM GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY.

Photo Credit: PRNewswire

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK COUNTY OFFICIALS HOLD SUMMIT

The National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) held their 2024 Leadership Summit & Retreat at the InterContinental Miami from April 25-27, 2024. This empowering event facilitated networking, knowledge sharing, and strategic advocacy for African-American elected and appointed county officials nationwide. Miami-Dade Commissioner Kionne McGhee, NABCO President closed the night with a panel discussion with Fulton-County District Attorney Fani Willis who engaged attendees on law, the importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and mentorship. The event, Cocktails & Conversation, was held outdoor and was a panel discussion featuring journalist Roland Martin; Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis; and Cook County Commissioner Stanley Moore, NABCO VicePresident.

Renowned guest speakers, including Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis; journalists Jeff Johnson and Roland Martin; US Congresswoman Frederica

Wilson; Miami-Dade

County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava; Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Desmond Meade; and others, brought strategies for meaningful change.

The Summit & Retreat featured dynamic sessions and networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect with industry leaders and peers to drive positive change in their communities. The event culminated

with a celebration to honor Black trailblazers for their contributions to communities.

"This event served as a testament to our unwavering dedication to empowering Black county officials and amplifying their voices in the decision-making process. By convening in Miami, we not only fostered a supportive environment for collaboration and growth but also symbolized our collective

resolve to drive meaningful change and representation within our communities. Together, we forged a path towards a future where every voice is heard, every perspective valued, and every opportunity realized," said MiamiDade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee, President of NABCO Key highlights included thoughtprovoking discussions on leadership and advocacy, emphasizing the pivotal role of Black leadership in shaping politics and advancing social justice. NABCO remains steadfast in its commitment to advocacy and amplifying the voices of AfricanAmerican county officials, serving as a vital forum for networking, information sharing, and

The National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO) is a leading advocacy organization representing African-American elected and appointed county officials across the United States. Since its inception, NABCO has been dedicated to amplifying the voices of its members and advocating for equitable policies that serve underserved populations.

DEI DISCUSSED AT SPELMAN COLLEGE CONFERENCE

Tapestry Networks' Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in Action (IDEA) initiative, in partnership with Spelman College, a global leader in the education of women of African descent, will host Reimagining the Future of Talent, a dialogue on the convergence of talent, technology, corporate culture, and workforce equity as mobilizers of business strategy. Given profound differences between Fortune 100 directors and students entering the workforce, and rapidly changing employer-employee relationships, this forum arrives at a critical juncture as boards seek to respond to global forces shaping the future of work, and to create inclusive talent pathways in their companies. Talent can make or break a company, especially in uncertain times.

Spelman College President Helene Gayle said: "We are honored to have this forum that not only exposes board directors to the talent at Spelman that is reflective of talent of other HBCUs but also helps them to understand the expectations of the workforce of tomorrow."

"What a privilege it would be to sit on the hallowed ground of a historically Black college, to hear from people to walk in this life, and understand the possibilities," said one director. "I would like to hear from students, that's what makes this so distinctive for me, I want to learn what areas of progress they want to see – in leadership, in recruitment, in access, in culture. I want to learn how we can help them launch."

For large organizations and their boards, talent strategy is more pressing than ever, especially with shifting employee expectations, the growing impact of AI, and the digital economy transforming talent access. According to a recent Korn Ferry study on the future of work, almost half of professionals now think about careers in terms of months rather than years, and over 80% of employees would leave their job for one that offered a higher salary or better benefits. With average CEO tenure declining to less than five years, as cited by Equilar, a powerful strategy for growing leaders is a business imperative.

Board leadership is essential to implementing talent strategies that build culture, retain talent and drive innovation. "Talent can make or break a company, especially in uncertain times," said Dr. Marsha H. Ershaghi, Managing Director, Tapestry Networks "Companies want talent strategies that are inclusive and sustainable. Directors want to push the pace of progress and want to get to know the priorities of the newest generations in the workforce." A board member said, "There's noise about the global talent disruption, and diversity, equity, inclusion have become politicized. But the needle isn't moving, and directors aren't putting it into the business strategy."

Participants in the forum include directors, executives, and leaders from Accenture, AIG, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Boston Scientific, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Brown Pandemic Center, CDW, Cigna, Cintas, The Coca-Cola Company, Dexcom, Digimarc, Element Fleet Management, Kohls, LHH Recruitment Solutions, Newman's Own, Novartis, Perrigo, Salesforce, Viad Corp, Walt Disney, Warner Brothers Discovery, WittKieffer, Zurich Insurance Group, and other leading organizations.

Reimagining the Future of Talent will take place September 19, 2024, on Spelman College's Atlanta campus.

Tapestry Networks brings worldclass leaders together to tackle complex challenges and promote positive change through the power of connected thinking. Learn more at: https://www.tapestrynetworks. com/

Spelman College, a historically Black college and a global leader in the education of women of African descent, is dedicated to academic excellence in the liberal arts and sciences and the intellectual, creative, ethical and leadership development of its students. Learn more at https:// www.spelman.edu/.

Photo Source: PRNewswire

HBCU ADVOCATE TO DELIVER KEYNOTE AT MINORITY CONSORTIUM

Walter M. Kimbrough — the former president of Dillard University and a prominent figure in HBCU advocacy  — will deliver the opening keynote at the 2024 Annual Meeting for the Minority Serving - Cyberinfrastructure Consortium (MS-CC), May 29-31, in Washington, D.C.

The opening keynote address will occur at 9:15 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 30, at the Mayflower Hotel.

Kimbrough began his career in student affairs, holding the position of vice president for student affairs at Albany State University. Prior to this role, he held positions at Emory University, Georgia State University, and Old Dominion University.

Kimbrough's path led him to Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, where, at the age of 37, he was appointed as the 12th president of the college. In 2012, he became the 7th president of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Kimbrough leveraged his influence as president of a historically Black college and university (HBCU) to become a voice in the community. He hosted campus events at Dillard University, including the Black Male Summit, in an effort to improve the number of Black males who complete college and pursue successful careers.

Kimbrough notably hosted a convening for Louisiana's HBCUs, the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the United Negro College Fund, and several of the state's major economic organizations to identify ways for HBCUs to more actively engage in economic development.

Kimbrough is a renowned scholar on fraternities and sororities and a thought leader on HBCUs and Black men in college. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc., and author of Black Greek 101: The Culture,

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Customs and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities

Kimbrough has garnered frequent recognition for his leadership. In 2010, he earned a coveted spot on Ebony Magazine's Power 100 list. Three years later, he was honored among The Grio 100: History Makers in the Making In the subsequent years, he was celebrated as the HBCU Male President of the Year by HBCU Digest, while also being recognized by TheBestSchools. org as one of the 20 Most Interesting College Presidents.

The HBCU Campaign Fund distinguished Kimbrough as one of

the 10 Most Dominant HBCU Leaders of 2018, and College Cliffs included him among their 50 Top U.S. College and University Presidents in 2020. His alma mater, Georgia State University, recognized him with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2021.

Kimbrough earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia, his master's degree from Miami University in Ohio, and a doctorate in higher education from Georgia State University

The MS-CC Annual Meetings are gatherings of peers, practitioners,

community-builders, advocates, and leaders from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), Hispanicserving institutions (HSIs), and the broader community of minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

It is a once-a-year opportunity to come together and create a space where HBCUs and TCUs lead the conversation around sustainable campus-level IT capabilities for data-intensive education and research programs.

We envision a transformational consortium that promotes advanced cyberinfrastructure (CI) and advanced technologies for teaching, learning, research, and enterprise technology capabilities at historically underresourced HBCUs, TCUs, HSIs, and MSIs. We seek to lift participating institutions by advancing technology infrastructure for research and education. We will contribute the unique voices, cultural identities, and interests of our community to research and education nationally and beyond.

The MS-CC in partnership with Internet2 received funding from the National Science Foundation to support this vision. The grants contribute nearly $3 million over two years to fund a Cyberinfrastructure Center of Excellence Pilot in 2021 (NSF Award # 2137123), and nearly $15 million over five years to support accelerating cyberinfrastructurecentric research capacity at HBCUs and TCUs through proof-of-concept grants and shared resources in 2022 (NSF Award # 2234326). The MS-CC has also been awarded nearly $2.5 million NSF supplement to develop the MS-CC Collaboratory in Climate Science. The consortium emerged from a pilot project funded by the National Science Foundation through Clemson University (NSF Award #1659297).

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Is it Alzheimer’s? Or just signs of aging? Get screened and find out.

If you have trouble remembering, learning new things, concentrating or making decisions that affect everyday life, the sooner you can find out what’s going on, the better.

Early screening of your cognitive health allows for earlier detection and diagnosis of potential Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Early diagnosis means more time to plan for the future, express your preferences for care, adapt your home environment and seek support. We can help you learn about available resources.

Early diagnosis also provides opportunities to try new treatments. For those who are experiencing possible early cognitive decline, we offer the opportunity to participate in ongoing research studies/clinical trials that may help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Our Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease — one of 10 centers in New York State — is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health.

ENTERTAINMENT

JAZZ , BLUES & BBQ FATHER'S DAY FESTIVAL

Epic-Live-Events invites families to unite and honor fathers in a spectacular celebration on June 15th at John Hunt Park Festival Grounds, located at 2195 Jaycee Wy, Huntsville, AL 35801. Join us and host “Chubb Rock” at the Jazz, Blues & Barbecue Father’s Day Festival. Featuring world-renowned three-time Grammy awardwinning artist Bobby Rush, the legendary blues and soul artist, will grace the stage with his electrifying performance. From soulful ballads to foot-stomping blues, Bobby Rush knows how to captivate an audience. Don’t miss this chance to witness a living legend in action! Co-headlining the show is Alex Bugnon, the jazz virtuoso, who will enchant you with his smooth melodies and soulful improvisations. His piano skills are unmatched, and his music transcends genres. Get ready to be transported to a world of jazz magic! Special Guest: Marion Meadows, Saxophonist extraordinaire, will join Alex Bugnon on stage. His soulful saxophone solos will weave a melodic tapestry that’ll leave you breathless, promising a day of unforgettable music and entertainment.

In addition to these incredible musicians, we’re introducing Cruz The Dame, for her first performance in Huntsville, you’ll also be entertained by local fan favorites, The Juice Band and bluesman Microwave Dave! Families will enjoy a day of fun under the sun with exciting activities for all ages. From delicious food and beverage offerings from various vendors, to merchandise, games,

and activities for the Kidz, there’s something for everyone as we celebrate the special fathers in our lives.

"We are thrilled to host this one-of-a-kind event to honor fathers and create lasting memories for families," said event organizers Jerry Harvey and Michelle Knight with assistance from Huntsville’s own Lee Parker "With world-class music, mouthwatering barbecue, and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s sure to be an unforgettable Father’s Day celebration." And don’t forget to cheer for or enter the “Grill Master” BBQ Competition and Huntsville’s “Super Dad” Contest! Winners and awards will be announced live on stage! A portion of profits go to the Harris Home For Children in Huntsville, AL, learn more about their mission at their website: https:// harrishomeforchildren.org/

Join the conversation and share your excitement using the following hashtags: #EpicFathersDay #JohnHuntParkCelebration #HuntsvilleMusicScene #JohnHuntPark #ThingsToDoInHuntsville For more info visit https://JazzBluesandBBQ.com/ and to purchase tickets, visit https://EpicLive-Events.com/ or follow social media: facebook.com/realepiclive or instagram. com/realepiclive or youtube.com/@ EpicLiveEvents

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day in style. Grab your tickets now and make memories that will last a lifetime! Contact: events@epiclivegroup. com | (386) 346-7959

NAACP LAUNCHES MOBILE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT UNIT

Securing voting rights and fair government representation are essential to democracy. On February 12, 2024, Cincinnati NAACP was the first chapter in the United States to launch V.O.T.E., a comprehensive voter and civic engagement strategy that includes a mobile unit to engage Hamilton County residents directly in the voting process.

The first Cincinnati NAACP Mobile Civic Engagement Unit outreach event will be held in April 2024, with monthly events with community partners scheduled afterward.

Cincinnati NAACP leaders, mobile unit sponsors, and community partners will discuss strategic priorities and bus appearances, show the mobile unit, and be available for interviews.

Cincinnati NAACP Mobile Civic Engagement Unit is 24 ft long X 10 ft wide X 11 ft. tall. Retrofitted with six computer stations, printers, and WI-FI, the vehicle will travel to historically marginalized neighborhoods with low voter engagement.

Trained volunteers will educate residents about the voting process, distribute instructional materials, print their sample ballot, provide absentee ballot request forms, and assist in online registration (paper voter registration forms will also be available). Additionally, residents will be instructed

to verify their registration status, track their mailed applications and ballots, find polling locations, and identify their elected officials.

"We could not be more excited to launch the first in the nation NAACP civic engagement strategy and mobile unit in Cincinnati on the 109th charter day of our branch, said Joe Mallory, Cincinnati

NAACP president. For 109 years, our chapter has been a local leader and national role model in our organization's mission to advance policies and practices that expand human and civil rights. Thank you to sponsors and partners, Fifth Third Foundation, McElrath Slade Wholeness Institute, Kroger, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, J. Phillip Holloman, and the Urban

League of Southwestern Ohio. The Cincinnati NAACP will leverage technology and mobility to reach residents more easily to empower, engage, and educate them on voting." David Whitehead, Cincinnati NAACP Political Action & Voter Empowerment Chair, said, "We look forward to elevating and continuing to do the work of the Cincinnati NAACP by taking the mobile unit into communities, educating residents about civic engagement, and training volunteers." He went on to say, "Our goal is to make our model scalable and sustainable beyond the election cycle."

Community partners can request the Cincinnati NAACP Mobile Civic Engagement Unit. Requests are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on unit and volunteer availability.

Cincinnati NAACP has a vibrant history, but we are more than our past. Who we are is every bit as much about our present and future. It's about our advocacy, activism, hope, and progress legacy. The legacy we will leave is the history we continue to make, the narratives we change, and the ability to create a sustainable positive impact on the lives of people in our community now and yet to come. For more information, visit cincinnatinaacp.com

CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL BLACK WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

In honor of International Black Women’s History Month, the Thrivin’ in Color podcast has released a special episode featuring the trailblazing leader Natalie White, Vice President of Community Relations & Social Impact for the Los Angeles Sparks Natalie joins the podcast to share her experience as a renowned leader and advocate.

In this empowering episode, Natalie dives into how she got her start in sports management while taking listeners down memory lane as she shares her time as a student athlete, playing point guard for the Lady Rattlers at the historic Florida A&M University. She then provides some exceptional information on driving positive social change and impact in the community and gives exclusive details on the programs and mission of A10TION Foundation and Natalie White Basketball, LLC, both of which she founded. “Natalie is true leader who uplifts her community with purpose and passion,” said host Camry Brown “I hope listeners enjoy and really take in the incredible gems she dropped throughout this episode."

Natalie’s on-court dominance helped propel her into a 20+ year career within the WNBA and Sports Business. She is an experienced executive leader who has won numerous awards and recognition. As an advocate, she

uses her platforms to fuse community partners in helping to promote the importance of academics and athletics in developing today's youth.

The Thrivin' in Color podcast from Black PR Wire gives Black and Brown leaders a unique platform to tell their story and motivate the next wave of leaders

and advocates. Tune in to Thrivin' in Color on all major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify Thrivin' In Color is a podcast produced by Black PR Wire, featuring interviews with remarkable sistas and brothas from across the country who are doing extraordinary things in today's

society. Thrivin' In Color takes us behind the scenes of their world, where we meet with them and pick up some golden nuggets for success. Thrivin' In Color podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all of your favorite podcast services.

MARCH OF DIMES LAUNCHES LOW DOSE , BIG BENEFITS™ CAMPAIGN TO COMBAT PREECLAMPSIA AND PRETERM BIRTH

MARCH OF DIMES, the leading organization fighting for the health of all moms and babies, today announced the launch of Low Dose, Big Benefits, a multi-year campaign aimed at decreasing the adverse effects of preeclampsia and preterm birth through the use of low dose aspirin. The new campaign will feature US Olympian and Entrepreneur

Allyson Felix as a brand ambassador and is part of the March of Dimes' It Starts With Mom platform, which provides families with educational information and resources during their pregnancy journey. It Starts With Mom is generously supported by trusted partners, including HCA Healthcare, Clearblue, Goldbug, The Honest Company, Philips Avent, and Sanofi

May is Preeclampsia Awareness Month, and Low Dose, Big Benefits aims to promote equal access to critical information for families and healthcare providers.

Preeclampsia is a potentially fatal condition that causes a pregnant woman's blood pressure to rise and can lead to preterm birth, heart disease, and other complications. A new survey, conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of March of Dimes, revealed nearly 1 in 5 families had never heard of preeclampsia with the number rising to over 1 in 4 for Black families. The Harris Poll also found that only 2 in 10 families surveyed are extremely or very familiar with medical interventions, such as low dose aspirin that is available to reduce the risks of preeclampsia, making this campaign a critical step towards improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, like preeclampsia, are among the leading causes of deaths, particularly for Black moms. Preeclampsia affects 1 in 25 pregnancies in the US, with potential impacts on mom and baby during pregnancy, labor, and delivery and even across both of their lifetimes. Studies show that pregnant people at an increased risk for preeclampsia who take low dose aspirin may reduce their risk of preeclampsia by 15% and their risk of preterm birth by 20%.

"Preeclampsia is a key driver of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity," said March of Dimes President and CEO Dr. Elizabeth Cherot "We know that low dose aspirin can improve outcomes for both mom and baby and by equipping families and providers with the knowledge and tools they need to proactively manage pregnancies, I'm hopeful that we can make significant strides in reducing poor maternal and infant health outcomes and potentially save the lives of moms and babies."

An ongoing key component of the campaign will be to educate healthcare professionals, including OB-GYNs, midwives, and pharmacists, on the benefits of low dose aspirin while also educating pregnant individuals, their families, and the public about the potential benefits of the intervention and tips on how to talk to their provider about low dose aspirin. To help with that effort, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine has joined March of Dimes to help amplify the importance of Low Dose, Big Benefits among its 6,500 members that includes clinicians and researchers.

March of Dimes' Quality Improvement team will work with doctors and clinical staff to implement a preeclampsia screening

process for pregnant patients within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy or at their first prenatal visit. While Low Dose, Big Benefits is a national campaign, March of Dimes will begin by focusing on California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas where the highest number of births occur.

"As a mom who had a preeclampsia diagnosis in my first pregnancy that led to an emergency Cesarean birth (also called C-section) at 32 weeks, I understand the

invested in a low dose aspirin initiative and began to move it from research to implementation.

"We're excited about the progress we've seen in the low dose aspirin campaign piloted by our partners in California," said Dr. Emre Seli, March of Dimes Chief Scientific Advisor. "Building on our long history of health research and innovation combined with the overwhelming amount of data that shows how low dose aspirin

of California, Amanda Williams, MD, MPH, FACOG, Clinical Innovation Advisor, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, and a mom who benefited from low dose aspirin.  May 29 – March of Dimes' MODCAST in conversation with Dr. Brice Gaudillière, a researcher at the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University, who'll highlight a new machine learning model that can, for the first time, identify exactly what elements of a woman's

importance of maternal health, particularly for women of color," said Allyson Felix, record breaking Olympic athlete and March of Dimes Celebrity Advocate Council member. "During my second pregnancy, I knew I was already at highrisk of developing preeclampsia again and through conversations with my provider, who understood my fear and listened to me, we decided that low dose aspirin was the right intervention for me and my baby. My second labor and delivery were healthy, beautiful, and powerful, which is why partnering with March of Dimes to educate families about the benefits of low dose aspirin is deeply personal and important to me."

Low Dose, Big Benefits is the culmination of March of Dimes' legacy since 1938 of funding research to help millions of babies survive and thrive. From polio to preterm birth, the organization's researchers have a long history of making critical discoveries to solve some of the biggest issues facing moms and babies. In 2011, they launched the March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center (PRC) at Stanford, which was the nation's first research center dedicated to identifying the causes of preterm birth. The organization went on to create the Prematurity Campaign Roadmap in 2015 that identified eight interventions that could reduce the preterm birth rate and included low dose aspirin. In 2021, led by the faculty and staff at the California Maternal Quality Collaborative (CMQCC), the Stanford PRC

can improve maternal and infant health outcomes, our Low Dose, Big Benefits campaign will expand awareness to families across the US and help turn the tide on the maternal and infant health crisis."

March of Dimes will use their It Starts With Mom platform, supported by partners, to educate families and providers throughout the year on maternal health topics, including low dose aspirin, doulas, vaccines, maternal mental health, and the postpartum journey as part of the non-profit's mission to improve maternal and infant health outcomes for all moms and babies.

"We're honored to be a longstanding partner of March of Dimes, from our 39-Week Initiative to reduce unnecessary C-sections and improve outcomes for moms and babies to our work to improve postpartum education," said Amy Casseri, senior vice president at HCA Healthcare and March of Dimes National Board of Trustee member.

"We know that education can make a significant impact on the care mothers and babies receive, and we are proud to be a part of this new campaign."

March of Dimes invites families and providers to tune in this month and yearround across the organization's platforms to learn more about maternal and infant health topics, including Low Dose, Big Benefits:  May 22 – It Starts With Mom Live featuring Dr. Cherot, Diana E. Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA, FACOG, Surgeon General

biology cause her to have an elevated risk for preterm birth or preeclampsia.

 May 30 – iHeart Media's MEternal Podcast with Dr. Cherot and iHeart's Kenya Gipson who will discuss how low dose aspirin can improve maternal health outcomes especially for moms and babies of color. March of Dimes encourages everyone to get involved to help improve health outcomes for all families:

 To learn more about future events and to access education resources, visit itstartswithmom.org

 To learn more about Low Dose, Big Benefits, visit marchofdimes.org/ lowdosebigbenefits

 Partners can help the organization amplify Low Dose, Big Benefits by accessing the partner toolkit at marchofdimes.org/ lowdosetoolkit

 Families can text lowdose to 40789 to give a gift in support of March of Dimes to help ensure all moms-to-be get access to March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We support research, lead programs, and provide education and advocacy so that every family can have the best possible start. Since 1938, we've built a successful legacy to support every pregnant person and every family. Visit marchofdimes.org or nacersano.org for more information. Find us on Facebook and follow us with #marchofdimes and @marchofdimes

WOMEN

CHICAGO SKY WELCOMES BACK ASSISTANT COACH

The Chicago Sky have finalized their coaching staff for the 2024 season with the addition of former Sky player and retired WNBA veteran TAMERA “TY” YOUNG, the team announced today. Young will join Head Coach Teresa Weatherspoon’s staff as an assistant coach.

“I am very excited to welcome Ty to our coaching staff and have her on the sidelines beside me this season,” Weatherspoon said. “With over a decade of WNBA experience and deep history with the Sky, Ty brings energy, passion, and spirit to inspire us all. I can’t wait to watch her mentor, lead, and coach our players this season.” With over a decade of experience in the WNBA, Young returns to the organization after playing nine years in Chicago out of a storied 12-year career in the league as the third-longest tenured player in Sky history. She ranks in the top 10 in Sky history in 10 overall categories: 250 games played (No. 3), 211 steals (No. 4), 1,815 total points (No. 9), 340 assists (No. 7), 286 offensive rebounds (No. 3), 678 defensive rebounds (No. 4), 964 total rebounds (No. 4), 340 assists (No. 7), 724 field goals made (No. 7) and 41.1% field goal percentage (No. 9). Over her decorated career, she averaged 7.1 points, 3.9 rebounds in 22.0 minutes. Young started in 163 of her 250 appearances with Chicago, averaging 7.3 points in her nine

seasons with the Sky. In 2013, Young helped lead the Sky to their then-best season and then-franchise-record 24 wins, averaging 5.6 points and 3.8 rebounds en route to the franchise’s first playoff appearance. In the following season, she started 33 of her 34 appearances and helped the Sky to the franchise’s first-ever WNBA Finals appearance.

The Sky made the playoffs in four straight seasons during Young’s nineyear tenure and they made it in four of her seven full seasons. Her best statistical season with the Sky came in 2016, when she averaged 8.5 points. Young was previously drafted No. 8 overall by Atlanta in the 2008 WNBA Draft and then played for Las Vegas from 2018-19 after nine seasons in Chicago from 2009-17 and retired in 2019. Most recently, Young played the last three seasons with Athletes Unlimited, where she is also on the Player Executive Committee. In addition to her WNBA career, she played in numerous countries overseas, including Latvia, Spain, Turkey, France, Israel, Brazil, Puerto Rico and China. She is also the first player in James Madison University program history to play in the WNBA, where she wore a Dukes uniform from 2004-08. She finished her collegiate career ranked first in JMU history in points per game, steals, double-digit scoring games, consecutive double-digit scoring and games started.

PROFILE: DR. HOLLY CARTER

HOLLY CARTER is the President and CEO of Relevé Entertainment, leading one of the premier management, development and production companies for family and faith inspired content, artists and brands.

As a producer, Carter and Relevé consistently deliver high quality, "breakthrough" programming that engages and creates buzz among national audiences. Most recently, Carter developed and created Sheffields Real Estate for FYI network and Oxygen’s “Preachers Of….” franchise that now includes shows in Los Angeles, Detroit and Atlanta. Other recent television projects include “Fix My Choir” (Oxygen) and “The Sheards” (BET). Carter also created and executive produced BET’s “106 & Gospel,” and packaged and produced feature films “The Gospel” (Rainforest Films/Sony Screen Gems), “In the Mix” (Lionsgate) and faith-based indie “A Beautiful Soul.”

As a management and brand development firm, Carter and Relevé provide full-service support to an impressive client roster that has

included multi-hyphenate megastar

Usher, Master P, and Akon, as well as current GRAMMY nominated artists

Deitrick Haddon, Kierra Sheard and Michelle Williams. During her tenure, Carter has also helped nurture and grow the careers of top gospel talents including Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, Cece Winans, and Mary

Mary, among many others. Public service and empowering others are important tenets to Carter. Since 2009, Relevé Entertainment has annually produced The Merge Summit, a complete weekend of education, empowerment and entertainment in Los Angeles. One of the largest education events for people of faith,

The Merge Summit features over 100 of entertainment’s top artists and executives “paying it forward” by leading interactive panel discussions, workshops and master class sessions covering music, television, film, artistry, branding and more. Carter is also the Chair of Freedom of Spirit, an outreach ministry which is dedicated to serving the homeless and less fortune in South Los Angeles for the past 35 years, started by her parents, the late Reverend Billy and Mrs. Ruth Watkins

Finally, along with casting director Robi Reed, Carter created the ASCEND Bible Movement as a private monthly industry bible study group. Since recently making this empowering movement public, the bible study draws hundreds of attendees every month. A graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) with an MBA in Marketing and Entertainment, Carter also holds a Doctorate of Divinity from the Southern California School of Ministry with an emphasis on marketplace ministry, merging the sacred and the secular.

HEALTH

ALLERGY & ASTHMA DAY AT CAPITOL HILL

Asthma and allergy treatment has seen remarkable innovation in the last 25 years, but this progress is still not reaching everyone. On May 8, Allergy & Asthma Network is hosting its 27th annual Allergy & Asthma Day Capitol Hill (AADCH) in Washington, DC to advocate for healthcare policies and legislation that leave no one behind – regardless of race, ethnicity, education, income level or where they live.

AADCH is a free advocacy event in which patients, families, advocates, industry partners and healthcare professionals go to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators and their staff. The goal is to raise awareness and urge passage of legislation and policies that end needless death and suffering due to asthma, allergies and related conditions.

Allergy & Asthma Network has scheduled in-person visits with members of Congress and their staff. The theme this year is "Breaking Barriers: Advancing Health Equity for All." More than 100 AADCH advocates are expected to be on Capitol Hill to advocate for expanded access to safe, effective and affordable healthcare, diversity in research, and policies that aim to improve health outcomes for all.

More than 25 million Americans have asthma and 50+ million have allergies. These conditions disproportionately impact Black, Hispanic/Latino and Native American communities. Social, economic and environmental factors often play a key role in causing asthma and allergy disparities.

"Health disparities create barriers to accessing care and achieving optimal health," says Lynda Mitchell, CEO of Allergy & Asthma Network "This year we are headed to Capitol Hill to address challenges including high out-of-pocket expenses, harmful insurance practices such as step therapy and prior authorization, and high-cost medications that put Americans at risk for poorer health outcomes and deepen inequities for people living with chronic respiratory conditions."

Each of these challenges can be addressed through federal legislation, policies, and sustained investments that promote respiratory health.

During AADCH, Allergy & Asthma Network will ask Congress to support five bills that would help improve access to medication:

 Safe Step Act improves health insurance step therapy protocols and ensures patients are able to obtain the best treatment prescribed for them.

to train, certify, and enable good Samaritans to give epinephrine to a person experiencing anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), in the event they need the medication before emergency medical services can arrive.

Allergy & Asthma Network also advocates for greater clinical trial diversity to reflect real-world patient populations; and federal funding to support ongoing asthma and allergy research and health programs at the U.S. Centers for

healthcare costs and lead to better health outcomes."

Advocates not able to attend AADCH in person can still participate on May 8 by sending emails to their representatives in Congress. Our Take Action webpage lists all active campaigns that need support. You will find template emails to send to your legislators, making advocating as easy as just a few clicks.

Founded in 1985, Allergy &

 Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act requires health insurers to count the value of copay assistance toward deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.

 Epinephrine's Pharma Inflated Price Ends Now (EPIPEN) Act caps out-of-pocket cost for a two-pack of epinephrine auto-injector devices at $60 for patients with employerbased or individually purchased health insurance.

 Elijah E. Cummings Family Asthma Act expands the CDC's National Asthma Control Program to all 50 states; directs the CDC to collaborate with state and local health departments on information and education to the public on asthma; requires the development of state plans around public health responses to asthma; and requires the collection and coordination of data on the impact of asthma.

 Dillon's Law incentivizes states

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), among others.

In addition to advocacy visits, Allergy & Asthma Network will host its annual Congressional Lunch Briefing on May 8 in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. The briefing features members of the Congressional Asthma & Allergy Caucus, presentations from leading allergists, NIH and EPA, and patient testimonials.

"We are excited to head back to Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation that is patient-first and reinforces health equity," says Charmayne Anderson, Director of Advocacy at Allergy & Asthma Network "When everyone has access to affordable healthcare and timely treatment, regardless of background or circumstances, it can lower

Asthma Network is the leading nonprofit outreach, education, advocacy and research organization for people and families living with allergies, asthma, and related conditions. Our mission is simple yet profound: to end needless death and suffering, empower people to take control of their health and wellbeing, and make healthcare more inclusive, equitable and accessible for people living with these conditions. We are committed to raising awareness, promoting understanding, offering resources, fostering collaboration, and advocating for policies and research that enhance the quality of life for everyone impacted by these conditions. We specialize in making medically accurate information understandable to all while promoting evidencebased care. Learn more at AllergyAsthmaNetwork.org.

QUAVO AND PARLAE JOIN RAP SNACKS FOR HUNCHO DAY

Rap Snacks, the "Official Snack Brand of Hip Hop" and its nonprofit organization, the Rap Snacks Foundation, has joined forces with hip hop superstars and co-owners of the Huncho Elite 7v7 Program, Quavo (The Migos) and Parlae (Dem Franchize Boyz), to help young athletes unlock their potential and guide them toward success on and off the field. Designed to mentor, motivate and develop youth, while teaching and coaching the game of 7v7 football, the Huncho Elite 7v7 Program provides resources, scholarships and opportunities for players as well as the guidance they need to excel in life. The partnership

in the next generation of leaders." "This partnership is a 'game changer', pun intended," shares Rap Snacks Foundation Co-Founder and President, Wise Intelligent, who is also known as the front man for the legendary hip hop group, Poor Righteous Teachers "The Rap Snacks Foundation and our Boss Up initiative was formed to empower youth to realize their full potential and build brighter futures for themselves, their families and their communities. Our partnership with the Huncho Elite 7v7 Program makes complete sense and allows us to expand our impact even further by providing mentorship,

The Huncho Elite 7v7 youth football team and Rap Snacks will participate in the 7th Annual Huncho Day experience hosted by Quavo, which will take place in metro Atlanta on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at Quavo's alma mater, Berkmar High School (405 Pleasant Hill Rd., Lilburn, GA, 30047). In addition to showcasing Huncho Elite players, the event will feature exciting exhibition games, a Huncho Fun Zone for kids as well as football and basketball youth clinics and combines supported by the Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Falcons Huncho Day

the United States and Canada. For more information on Rap Snacks, visit www.RapSnacks.net, and follow @OfficialRapSnacks on Facebook, and Instagram and @RapSnacksNow on X

The Rap Snacks Foundation is a real world experiential entrepreneurship program that walks participants from the point of their passions and dreams to business plan, activation and achievement. By giving them the opportunities they deserve, the Rap Snacks Foundation believes that every child can build a better future and become all they were created to

with Rap Snacks and the Rap Snacks Foundation, through its Boss Up initiative, adds a pivotal layer of entrepreneurship training to the program that will provide guidance on personal branding, financial literacy, marketing, and media training. Most importantly, the partnership will help Huncho Elite players prepare for, and properly monetize l Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals, potentially, coming their way.

"I am incredibly proud to partner with Quavo and Parlae in support of the Huncho Elite 7v7 youth football program," shares Rap Snacks Founder and CEO, James Lindsay "This collaboration represents the intersection of two powerful forces: the influence of hip hop culture and the potential for positive change and advancement within our youth. I've always believed in the power of mentorship and guidance to unlock potential and it excites me to know that the expansion of this partnership will do just that and will also instill an entrepreneurial spirit

guidance and entrepreneurial training, specifically, to aspiring athletes. Joining Huncho Elite's team of offensive, defensive and special teams coaches, Rap Snacks / Boss Up is committed to serving as the financial coach to help this team not only excel on the field, but also thrive in life!"

"On behalf of Quavo, Parlae and the Huncho Elite 7v7 team, we are super excited to partner with Rap Snacks and the Rap Snacks Foundation on empowering our young athletes on and off the field," confirms Renisha Gleaton, president and operations manager of the Huncho Elite 7v7 Program "This collaboration is so important not only because it will offer training and valuable life skills that extend far beyond the game of football, but will also equip them with the tools they need to confidently seize opportunities for growth and success, personally and professionally. Thank you Rap Snacks for helping us groom our guys for long-term excellence."

proceeds will benefit the Rocket Camp, a 10-week summer violence intervention program powered by The Rocket Foundation, led by the Offender Alumni Association and geared toward justice-involved youth, ages 13-17. The event is also a celebration of Quavo's birthday, making it an unforgettable party leveraging community engagement to make a positive impact!

Rap Snacks is "The Official Snack Brand of Hip Hop" – a premium collection of branded snack products that, for 30 years, has featured and celebrated the hottest rap superstars. Featured Rap Snacks artists include Rick Ross, Lil Baby, Nicki Minaj, The Migos, Master P, Moneybagg Yo, NBA Youngboy and more. Each variety of seasoned potato and corn chips, popcorn, ramen noodles and refreshing beverages offers an irresistible experience satisfying all cravings. Inspired by hip-hop and flavored by culture, Rap Snacks products are sold online in major retail chains and convenience stores throughout

be. The foundation has successfully trained young men and women of under-resourced communities to take responsibility and control of their own financial futures. As a result, they realize their full potential and secure a brighter tomorrow for themselves, their families and their communities.

The Huncho Elite 7v7 Program is a youth football program co-owned by Parlae from the platinum group, Dem Franchize Boyz and Quavo from the Grammy Award-winning group, Migos. Their mission is to mentor, motivate, develop and provide resources to young athletes and urban communities while teaching and coaching the game of 7v7 football. The program combines athletic training with community engagement to make a positive impact. It also centers core values that revolve around helping young athletes unlock their potential and guiding them towards success on and off the field. For more information on Huncho Elite, follow @HunchoElite7v7 on Instagram

If you are anywhere in your journey with substance use disorder,

I want you to stop, look around and open your heart.

Revel in the abundance of your existence. See how small substance use disorder can be when sat next to all that you are or ever could be.

Fill your existence with beauty, purpose and a life of service.

And your substance use disorder— your history of addiction, the things you may have done that you are not proud of—will one day be small enough to deal with while allowing you space to live this life of joy.

Hold on.

We are not the sum of our scars but rather a beautiful mosaic of the life they hold together.

—Joseph Washington, DC In recovery from substance use disorder Learn how substance use recovery can